Council briefed on Rose Park flooding, multi-family zoning changes and Pax Station bond hearing
October 7, 2025, 2:00 p.m. · Sorenson Unity Center, 1383 South 900 West
At the Oct. 7 work session, held at the Sorenson Unity Center on the west side, the Council heard about the Oct. 4-5 Rose Park flooding that affected 27 homes, and was briefed on changes to RMF-35 and RMF-45 zoning, railroad street vacations near I-80 and a private activity bond for a 272-unit apartment project. Members also reviewed Budget Amendment No. 2 and fleet electrification plans.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration and Rose Park flood
Discussed
Mayor's adviser Weston Clark covered the city's new feedback site, a Mobility Plan open house on Oct. 8, a landscaping equipment exchange, arts grant deadlines and Millcreek fire claims. Homelessness staff reported Homeless Resource Center use at 97% and plans for winter emergency services. Public Utilities Director Laura Briefer described the Oct. 4-5 flooding that affected 27 homes in the Rose Park neighborhood and led to an emergency declaration on Oct. 6, and the Council discussed recovery resources, incident command, coordination with Salt Lake County and the roles of Public Utilities and county Flood Control.
Item 2 · City code
RMF-35 and RMF-45 multi-family zoning text amendment (briefing)
Discussed
Planners proposed changes to the city's moderate-density multi-family zones: design standards for new development, smaller minimum lot sizes, no lot width minimums, multiple buildings per lot and a density bonus for keeping existing housing units, plus changing a small number of RMF-35 properties to RMF-45. Staff said the aim is to remove barriers to infill and discourage demolition. Council Members discussed support for aligning zoning with existing mixed-density areas such as the Lower Avenues, concerns about reduced setbacks in dense areas, flexibility for aging residents and added rentals, and the role of the changes in protecting historic buildings by making expansion easier than demolition. A hearing was planned for Nov. 18.
Item 3 · Other
Patriot Rail street vacations near 6500 West and I-80 (briefing)
Discussed
Salt Lake Garfield & Western Railway, the property owner, asked to buy platted but never-built street rights-of-way to include in its property for future railroad use; there are no structures on the site. The Planning Commission gave a conditional recommendation. A Patriot Rail representative confirmed the intent to relocate a rail yard now in the Buena Vista neighborhood to this site farther west. Members discussed utility poles and easements and support for decommissioning certain rail lines.
- Petitioner: Salt Lake Garfield & Western Railway
- Council District 2
Item 4 · Development
Pax Station Apartments private activity bond hearing (briefing)
Discussed
The Council was briefed on a 272-unit affordable housing project at 203 West Paxton Avenue financed by a tax-exempt private activity bond issued by the Public Finance Authority of Wisconsin. Federal rules require the Council to hold a TEFRA public hearing, but the city has no financial liability. The applicant described the financing, market study and plans, including a future TRAX platform built and partly funded by the development. Members asked about private activity bonds versus tax credits, affordability at area median income given the small unit sizes, and confirmed no risk to the city's bond rating or debt.
- BondAmount not given to Public Finance Authority of Wisconsin
- 272 affordable units
Item 6 · Public safety
Salt Lake County Hazard Mitigation Plan (briefing)
Discussed
Staff presented the county's FEMA-required, five-year Hazard Mitigation Plan, needed for eligibility for pre-disaster mitigation funds and post-disaster assistance. There was no further discussion.
Item 7 · Roads and utilities
Electrified transportation and fleet EV charging plans
Discussed
Sustainability and Public Services staff presented the Community Electrified Transportation Study and the Fleet Electrification Charging Infrastructure Study, a phased plan with a long-term funding strategy, and a donation agreement with the Kiessner Foundation for up to 100 electric vehicle charging stations. Members discussed police vehicle charging needs, the growth in vehicle and charger purchases, funding infrastructure first, and grant and private donation options. Council Member Petro asked for a report on fuel and maintenance savings versus ongoing costs, which staff agreed to provide.
- GrantAmount not given to Kiessner Foundation
Item 8 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 2, fiscal 2025-26 (briefing)
Discussed
The Council reviewed the second budget amendment, including funding to replace a lost grant for the Youth & Family Division's YouthCity afterschool programs, costs for the National League of Cities Cities Summit in Salt Lake City in November (raised from $300,000 to $330,000), elected official transition costs, restoration of the 1200 East median between 300 South and 500 South, Police Department position changes, Inland Port Authority funding moved to the capital program, a private donation from Airgas toward a street modification to reduce speeding, take-home vehicle insurance premiums, the Central Business Improvement Area budget, and assistance for airport federal partners during the government shutdown. In straw polls all members present supported the $330,000 summit funding and the police position changes (Council Member Young absent), and the airport assistance (Council Members Young and Mano absent). On the Airgas item, members raised concerns about equity when private money funds street changes and noted the benefit of reducing street racing; Council Member Petro noted the Port Authority receives tax revenue that would otherwise go to roads and schools, and Council Member Dugan asked for a policy on private funding of street projects, which staff said could be tracked as a legislative intent.
- Budget$330,000 to National League of Cities
- GrantAmount not given to Airgas
- Straw polls: $330,000 summit funding, police position changes, airport federal partner assistance
Item 9-12 · Appointment
Advisory board interviews
Discussed
The Council interviewed Cooper Fankhauser and Sean Weeks (Community Development and Capital Improvement Programs Advisory Board, terms to June 5, 2028) and Samantha DeSeelhorst (Transportation Advisory Board, term to Sept. 25, 2028). Parviz Faiz could not attend and was to be rescheduled.
What residents said
Rose Park flood recoverySetbacks and density