Council hears wildfire interface code proposal and reviews Budget Amendment No. 2 follow-up
October 21, 2025, 4:00 p.m. · Salt Lake City and County Building
At the Oct. 21 work session the Council was briefed on adopting the state's Wildland Urban Interface Fire Code, a resolution seeking an exception from six required station area plans, and a $40,000 loan to a Broadway restaurant. Members also followed up on Budget Amendment No. 2 and the partial street vacation at 1100 West and 400 South.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · General plan
Station area plan exception resolution (briefing)
Discussed
Planning Director Nick Norris explained that Utah law requires station area plans for fixed-guideway transit stations in or within a half mile of the city, with exceptions when it is impracticable. The proposed resolution would support an exception for six stations: Airport, Stadium, Central Campus, Fort Douglas, University of Utah Medical Center and River Trail (in West Valley City, with part of its half-mile radius in Salt Lake City). Council action was tentatively set for Nov. 18.
Item 2 · Contract
Economic Development Loan Fund: $40,000 loan to Rich's Grub Houses LLC (briefing)
Discussed
Staff described a proposed $40,000 loan from the Economic Development Loan Fund to Rich's Grub Houses LLC, doing business as Rich's Burgers N Grub, an existing restaurant at 30 East Broadway. The loan would pay for machinery, equipment and leasehold improvements such as new flooring and a hood replacement, create two to four jobs in the next year and retain eight. Council Member Young joined during this item.
- Contract$40,000 to Rich's Grub Houses LLC (Rich's Burgers N Grub)
Item 3 · City code
Wildland Urban Interface Fire Code text amendment (briefing)
Discussed
The proposal adopts the state-required Wildland Urban Interface Fire Code and a map showing where it applies, and amends Title 21A so the fire code takes precedence where it conflicts with zoning rules, except in the Riparian Corridor Overlay. The code regulates building materials, construction, separation and landscaping to reduce fire risk. Planning and Fire Department staff explained how parcels on the map would be reviewed. Council Member Wharton asked for a review of how other cities are handling the code, which Fire Department staff agreed to provide. Council Member Lopez Chavez joined during this item.
Item 4 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 2, fiscal 2025-26 (follow-up briefing)
Discussed
Staff walked through the amendment items again. The CFO said enterprise fund items approved in fiscal 2025 must be re-approved for 2026, while ongoing general fund allocations do not. Members discussed the Funding Our Future and tenant rental assistance programs, a Fleet Fund budget carry-forward (item D-8), grant items and how to handle future grants with budget effects. Council Member Puy asked for a review of federal grants to the city and how federal budget cuts would affect the city budget; the CFO agreed to contact the city's federal grant team.
Item 5 · Other
Partial street vacation at 1100 West and 400 South (follow-up briefing)
Discussed
Council Members discussed the request and expressed support for vacating the 1100 West portion. Council Member Mano said other tools, such as temporary land use or a text amendment, might better serve the 400 South goals and suggested more talks between staff and the applicant. Planning staff said the applicant would need to file a new petition for any portion the Council does not approve.
Item 6-8 · Appointment
Board interviews
Discussed
The Council interviewed Nicholas Pedersen (City and County Building Conservancy and Use Committee, term to July 16, 2029), Amanda Stewart (Art Design Board, term to Oct. 21, 2028) and Taymour Semnani (Historic Landmark Commission, term to Oct. 21, 2029). All were slated for the consent agenda.
What residents said
Wildfire risk