Council straw polls favor eliminating the cap on unrelated occupants and removing 100-foot facade limit in RMF zones
December 2, 2025, 2:00 p.m.
In a work session, Council Members signaled unanimous support for removing the limit on unrelated people sharing a home, while asking for enforcement tools against overcrowding. They also backed changes to the RMF-35/RMF-45 zoning amendment and straw-polled a plan to credit fire-line fee charges. Briefings covered the Sky Harbour hangars, the county landfill budget, the Saltair Lofts supportive housing project and Budget Amendment No. 3.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 2 · City code
Household occupancy definitions in zoning code
Discussed · 5-0
Planning staff presented three options for the zoning definition of family: keep the definition but raise the unrelated-occupant limit to five; raise it to five and allow combinations of family types; or remove the occupant limit entirely. Members discussed tying limits to bedrooms or bathrooms rather than head count. In a straw poll, all members present supported Option 3, removing the limit, with the stipulation that enforcement tools be considered to avoid overcrowding. Council Members Young and Lopez Chavez had not yet arrived.
- Option 3: remove occupant limit, no distinction between related and unrelated people
Item 3 · Development
Sky Harbour hangar development briefing (TEFRA hearing)
Discussed
Airport staff said hangars on the east side of the airport would ease inefficiency caused by many small aircraft, and the airport's financial officer described the advantages of partnering with Sky Harbour. A Sky Harbour Group vice president cited revenue to the city with no financial risk, private investment reverting to the city at the end of the ground lease, jobs, quieter newer aircraft and paid aviation internships. Council Member Dugan asked for annual projections of reductions in noise, air pollution and traffic; the company said it would provide them.
- Acres: 8.4
- Four box hangars
- Financing: tax-exempt private activity bond via Public Finance Authority of Wisconsin; no city liability
Item 4 · Budget
Salt Lake Valley Landfill proposed 2026 budget
Discussed
A Salt Lake County representative presented a projected 2026 budget of $21 million against $22.2 million in revenue and planned rate increases for some services. The city's disposal rate would stay at $29 per ton. Landfill capacity is now projected at 50 years rather than 40 because of efficiency gains and the Trans-Jordan Landfill opening. Council Member Petro asked for a review of emergency-response dump fee waivers; Council Member Puy asked for recycling outcome data compared with other cities.
- Budget$21.0 million to Salt Lake County
Item 6 · Development
Valley Behavioral Health reversionary interest release (Saltair Lofts)
Discussed
Staff explained that a change of ownership requires the city to release its reversionary interest in the property at 107 South 800 West so Saltair Lofts, a 68-unit permanent supportive housing project, can proceed; they also noted a lender change. Members, staff and the developer discussed the timeline, the 50-year restrictive use agreement, foreclosure scenarios and an impact fee waiver. Concerns were raised that concentrating low-income and supportive housing without mixed-income units could create an isolated environment that hinders recovery.
- Units: 68
Item 7 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 3 for fiscal year 2025-26
Discussed
Budget staff presented the amendment with three grants: license plate readers on traffic light poles at major intersections, Jordan River vegetation removal, and shelter-related police staffing. Members discussed about $700,000 in natural gas tax revenue and supported monthly revenue updates from Finance. Council Member Petro asked for guarantees protecting residents' private information from the plate readers and for the origin of the Jordan River grant.
Item 8 · Zoning
RMF-35 and RMF-45 zoning amendment follow-up
Discussed · 7-0
Planners presented straw poll options after the Nov. 18 hearing. Members generally supported removing the 100-foot facade length limit while keeping the 110-foot lot width maximum, and discussed a limit of up to 50 units per building. They discussed a change of setbacks from four feet to five feet, noting the Planning Commission recommended four. In a straw poll, all members present supported Option 1 and Option 2B: reduce the 100-foot front facade maximum, keep the 110-foot lot width maximum and allow up to 50 dwellings per building only in RMF-45.
Item 9 · Taxes and fees
Consolidated Fee Schedule corrections: Public Utilities fire line fee
Discussed · 6-1
Staff recommended crediting customers for fire line fees charged since July 1, 2025 until the corrected language is adopted. The fire line portion is 1% to 5% of the total utility bill, and members discussed high water bills tied to sewer usage in smaller multi-family homes. In straw polls, all members present supported crediting the per-inch multiplier portion while keeping the base monthly fee; and, with Council Member Darin Mano opposed, supported implementing the fee with no phase-in. A public hearing is expected in January 2026.
Item 10-12 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews
Discussed
The Council interviewed David Warnock (Citizens Compensation Advisory Committee), Ralph Becker (Metropolitan Water District Board) and Daniel Salmon (Metropolitan Water District Board). Council Member Wharton said all three would be on the consent agenda.
What residents said
Overcrowding enforcementIsolation of concentrated supportive housingLicense plate reader privacyWater and sewer bills