Council takes straw polls on mixed-use zoning consolidation and hears a briefing on a Sugar House alley
April 8, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
The work session produced 11 straw polls on the Mixed-Use zoning consolidation, nearly all unanimous, including a 45-foot row house height and up to 150 feet in the Sugar House core. Council Member Sarah Young was absent. The Council also heard briefings on an alley vacation, the Sister Cities report, Budget Amendment No. 5 and federal grant allocations.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
In brief
5 items came up for a decision or discussion: 4 discussed and 1 approved.
The agenda records 1 dollar amount, the largest $33,366.
2 items here are tracked in the city's development tracker.
This write-up links 3 source documents and the meeting video.
7 members were present and 1 absent (Council Member Sarah Young).
Residents raised building height and setbacks in mixed-use zones.
The previous City Council work session meeting was on April 8, 2025: Council creates Convention Center Public Infrastructure District 7-0
The next one was on April 15, 2025: Council creates Yalecrest-Upper Yale historic district and approves 273 East 800 South rezone for affordable housing 5-1
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Zoning
Mixed-Use zoning consolidation: follow-up briefing
Discussed
Planners presented straw polls. All members present supported: allowing drive-throughs for financial institutions in the MU-11 zone; Sugar House Core height up to 150 feet consistent with Granary conditions; row house height in MU-5/6/8/11 from 40 to 45 feet; clarifying vertically stacked rowhomes; dropping pitched-roof requirements in MU-2/3; common open-space rules (10% of lot area, 20% vegetation); a 3-month transition during which applicants may use old or new zoning. The poll on a 10-foot rear setback for MU-11 row houses passed 4-2, with Council Members Wharton and Petro opposed. Council Member Lopez Chavez was absent for polls 7 to 11, which were otherwise unanimous.
Item 2 · Zoning
Alley vacation between Beverly and Chadwick Streets: briefing
Discussed
The Council was briefed on a proposal to vacate a City-owned alley between about 2615 and 2700 South and between Beverly and Chadwick Streets, to be divided among abutting owners. Staff said the Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation. Council Member Lopez Chavez was absent for this item.
Item 3 · Presentation
Sister Cities annual report 2024
Discussed
Economic Development staff and the Sister Cities Board chair presented 2024 accomplishments and goals for the five sister cities (Torino, Matsumoto, Chernivtsi, Trujillo and Keelung). Council and staff discussed expansion, strategic planning, budgeting and connecting small businesses.
Item 4 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 5, FY 2024-25: follow-up
Discussed
The Council discussed the Administration's proposal to move personnel vacancy savings to the Advantage Services contract, a Council-added item on Council Members' communication budgets, and answers the Administration provided to earlier questions. Council Member Petro asked for annual data on the share of fund balance used for ongoing costs and capital spending.
Item 5 · Budget
FY 2025-26 federal grant allocations (CDBG, HOME, ESG, HOPWA): follow-up
Discussed
Staff reviewed the timeline for about $7.7 million in HUD funds. In a straw poll all members present supported moving $33,366 from Odyssey House (Line 21) to the Wasatch Community Gardens Green Team (Line 25).
- Grant$33,366 to Wasatch Community Gardens
Other
Closed session
Approved · 6-0
The Council voted to enter a closed meeting for attorney-client matters; it ran from 5:35 to 6:36 p.m.
What residents said
Building height and setbacks in mixed-use zones