Council hears negative Planning Commission recommendation on 185-foot hotel rezone at 256 East 300 South
March 10, 2026, 4:30 p.m. · Salt Lake City and County Building, 451 South State Street
In a briefing-only session, council members voiced concerns about height and the lack of setbacks in a request to rezone 256 East 300 South to D-1 for a hotel, which the Planning Commission recommended denying. The council also reviewed public art options, the water and snowpack outlook and the compensation advisory committee's report.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Parks
Public art allocation, fiscal year 2026
Discussed
Arts staff sought feedback on allocating $14,000 ($2,000 per district) for small district public art projects and described the nearly 2,000-foot 'Strut' artwork on the 400 South Viaduct Trail and the Wake The Great Salt Lake temporary art project starting March 25 and 26. Staff offered three concepts: an artist residency at a library branch, intersection and sidewalk art, or community art banners. In a straw poll, all members present supported Option 3, community art banners.
- Budget$14,000
Item 2 · Zoning
Zoning map amendment at approximately 256 East 300 South
Discussed
Staff presented a request to rezone the property from R-MU to D-1 to allow a hotel in a new 185-foot building; the zoning had recently changed from R-MU to MU-8, and the Planning Commission forwarded a negative recommendation. The applicant said a hotel was found most feasible after a lengthy process and offered public use of hotel amenities such as a fitness center, restaurant, pool and shops. Members raised concerns about height and no setbacks, said they preferred housing to a hotel, and discussed adding housing and past attempts to redevelop the site. The applicant said he would work with the owner on alternatives.
- Applicant: the applicant, Fourier Architects, for the owner
- Current zone → proposed: R-MU → D-1
- Planning Commission: negative recommendation
- Council District 4
- Timeline: hearing Apr. 7; tentative action Apr. 21
Item 3 · Presentation
Water and snowpack report
Discussed
Public Utilities staff reported snowpack at 60% of median, soil moisture above average, key reservoirs near normal and the Great Salt Lake at 4,192 feet. Members discussed conservation messaging to large water users, drought contingency stages, conservation assumptions in revenue projections, and whether the expiration of the Colorado Compact affects the city's water use.
Item 4 · Budget
Citizens' Compensation Advisory Committee 2026 annual report
Discussed
Committee chair Clair Baldwin and human resources staff presented recommendations to raise the overall salary budget by no less than 3.5% and salary ranges by no less than 2.5%, and to fund market adjustments for lagging benchmark jobs as funds permit. Members discussed Police and Fire pay, which depends partly on union agreements, and a viewable total rewards package.
Item 5 · Appointment
Airport Board appointment: Jonathan Gardner
Discussed
The council interviewed Jonathan Gardner, a District 6 resident, for a term ending March 10, 2030. Council Member Chris Wharton said his name would be on the consent agenda.
Item 6 · Appointment
Airport Board appointment: Lisa Ramsey Adams
Discussed
The council interviewed Lisa Ramsey Adams, a District 7 resident, for a term ending March 10, 2030. Council Member Wharton said her name would be on the consent agenda.
Item 8 · Other
Report from the executive director
Discussed
Jennifer Bruno asked members to say if they want to attend the Chamber of Commerce's Under One Sky Awards Gala on May 21, 2026. She also sought council support for a state representative's request for $1.7 million for police emergency response vehicles, specifying large-capacity transport vans rather than armored vehicles.
- Grant$1.70 million
What residents said
Height and setbacks at 256 East 300 SouthHotel versus housing