Council briefed on Rio Grande rezone, The Grove housing sale, $51 million park bond and budget changes
February 3, 2026, 2:00 p.m. · Salt Lake City and County Building, 451 South State Street
The council held a briefing-only work session covering a proposed alley and street vacation process, a rezone in the Rio Grande District, a below-market land sale for The Grove housing project, a second park bond issuance of up to $51 million, and follow-up on Budget Amendment No. 4. It also interviewed the nominee for chief information officer and a Historic Landmark Commission nominee. A closed meeting followed.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Weston Clark reminded the public of the shape.slc.gov engagement site and updated the council on the Northwest, Avenues and Capitol Hill community plans, zoning amendments for expanded housing options, and the upcoming Ballpark Next zoning process. Andrew Johnston gave the homelessness update: a resource center utilization rate of 97%, no Encampment Impact Mitigation currently scheduled because of a lack of large camps, completion of the 2026 Point in Time count, and a call for volunteers. Members and staff discussed the new engagement site and coordination with a medically vulnerable persons program in Sandy.
Item 2 · City code
Disposition of alleys and streets text amendment
Discussed
Benjamin Buckley presented a proposal to amend sections 14.52 and 20.16.050 of the city code to create a consistent process for requests to close or vacate city-owned streets and alleys, including within subdivision applications, with Planning Commission recommendations. Members and staff discussed the April 12, 1995 cutoff date for self-inflicted obstructions, keeping right-of-way for utilities, and that the goal is a streamlined process, not approval of all requests. Council Member Erika Carlsen asked whether fee waivers for government entities such as school districts were automatic or discretionary; Nick Norris said staff would follow up. Council Member Chris Wharton arrived during this item.
- Petition: PLNPCM2025-00423
- Timeline: hearing Feb. 17; tentative action Mar. 10
Item 3 · Zoning
Rio Grande Master Plan and zoning map amendment
Discussed
Cassie Younger presented a proposal to rezone 32 properties in the Rio Grande District from G-MU (Gateway-Mixed Use) to D-4 (Downtown Secondary Central Business District), allowing additional building height, and to amend the Downtown Plan to include mid-block walkways. The Planning Commission gave a positive recommendation. Members discussed traffic and street safety on 500 South, plans for ground leases on Community Reinvestment Agency-owned properties, and possible future transit rail changes and easements.
- Current zone → proposed: G-MU → D-4
- Properties: 32
- Council District 2
- Timeline: hearing Mar. 10; tentative action Mar. 24
Item 4 · Development
Northwest Pipeline Building and new construction public benefits analysis (The Grove)
Discussed
Allison Rowland, Tammy Hunsaker and Logan Hunt briefed the council on a public benefit analysis for The Grove, a project that would reuse the historic Northwest Pipeline building and add new construction, with 196 affordable housing units, commercial space, a parking structure and a public plaza. The city would sell the 2.42-acre property for $1 million paid over 55 years. Dan Ackerman of the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City, Ben McAdams of Common Ground Institute and Nnenna Lynch of Xylem Projects joined the discussion of financing challenges, the historic designation, public safety and site activation, avoiding commercial vacancies, and the for-rent structure. A public hearing was set for Feb. 17.
- Land deal$1.00 million to Housing Assistance Management Enterprise / Housing Authority of Salt Lake City partners
- Units: 196 affordable
- Acres: 2.42
Item 6 · Budget
Second issuance of general obligation bond for parks, trails and open space
Discussed
Marina Scott and Mary Beth Thompson presented the second issuance, of up to $51 million, of the parks, trails and open space bond that voters authorized at no more than $85 million in November 2022. Members and staff discussed the timeline and cost to taxpayers beginning with property tax bills in November 2026, the cost of additional tranches, communicating that the tax was voter approved, and the city's financial position and favorable interest rate outlook. Council Member Victoria Petro asked for projected costs on property tax bills, which staff said would follow the bond sale. Council Member Alejandro Puy asked for more outreach to park users. Council Member Sarah Young arrived during this item.
- Bond$51.0 million
Item 7 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 4 for fiscal year 2025-26 (follow-up)
Discussed
Staff walked through items needing straw polls. All members present supported a $250,000 pedestrian bridge over the Surplus Canal at Glendale Golf Course (A-6). Members supported setting aside $100,000 of a $500,000 appropriation for Fisher Mansion for artifact exhibits, a proposal by Council Member Wharton. Members expressed interest in updated parking wayfinding signage ($584,495); Council Member Puy proposed a legislative intent on working with private partners to show parking availability. Other items covered were engineering design staffing ($80,000), a refuse fund lease carry-forward ($8,918,482) and a $400,000 rescope of the Open Streets program, on which Puy asked for a deeper discussion of success metrics.
- Budget$250,000
- Budget$500,000
- Budget$584,495
Item 8 · Appointment
Advice and consent: chief information officer Zach Posner
Discussed
The council interviewed Zach Posner, nominee for chief information officer. He cited prior work at Salt Lake County, and members discussed the city's technology vision, community engagement, use of artificial intelligence and data protection. Council Member Puy said the nomination would go on the consent agenda.
Item 9 · Presentation
State legislative briefing follow-up
Discussed
Angela Price updated the council on bills in the 2026 legislative session, mainly tax, transportation, policing and homelessness measures. Members and staff discussed concerns about local fiscal impacts, loss of local control over transportation and traffic calming, and unfunded mandates.
Item 10 · Appointment
Historic Landmark Commission appointment: Steven Cornell
Discussed
The council interviewed Steven Cornell, a District 7 resident, for a term ending Feb. 3, 2030. Council Member Puy said the appointment would go on the consent agenda.
Item 11 · Other
Report of the chair and vice chair
Discussed
Council Member Carlsen announced plans for a working group of residents, stakeholders and city representatives to address concerns raised recently, including federal immigration enforcement. Council Member Puy spoke of building community trust.
Item 13 · Other
Closed meeting
Approved · 7-0
The council voted to enter a closed meeting for attorney-client matters and lawful purposes under the Open and Public Meetings Act. It met from 5:37 p.m. to 6:31 p.m. and voted to exit.
What residents said
Traffic safety on 500 SouthLocal control over transportationProperty tax impact of park bond