Council briefed on license plate reader rules, water-use cap and Northwest Community Plan; capital list reviewed
July 21, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
At a work session, the council was briefed on a proposed ordinance regulating automated license plate readers, making permanent a 200,000-gallon daily water-use cap on non-residential uses, and the Northwest Community Plan, and went through 30 Capital Improvement Program funding items. These minutes are marked pending and not yet approved.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Other
Waiver of proximity for Silverside Deli, 2122 South Highland Drive
Discussed
Staff briefed a state-required waiver of proximity for a restaurant across the street from the Sprague Library in District 7, with a direct pedestrian path between them. The Planning Division found no impact on the library if the straight-line waiver is approved. A hearing is set for August 18 with action tentatively September 22, after the 30-day wait. Members discussed neighborhood outreach and existing restaurants and bars near the library.
Item 2 · City code
Maximum daily water use text amendment
Discussed
The proposal would make permanent a temporary land use regulation adopted March 24, 2026 that applies a 200,000-gallon-per-day water use cap to non-residential uses, with exemptions limited to agriculture, schools, government-run social service facilities, places of worship and hospitals. The temporary rule, enacted because of severe drought and record-low snowpack, runs through September 20 unless made permanent. Members asked for a definition of social services in the revised text and discussed future limits on data centers, landscaping and existing developments. A hearing is set for August 18.
Item 3 · City code
Automated license plate reader ordinance
Discussed
Michael Sanders and Hannah Vickery presented an ordinance placing ALPR rules in the body-worn camera chapter of city code, to be renamed Technology Use. It covers authorized and prohibited uses, data sharing with outside agencies only through memoranda of understanding, training, audits, reporting and revocation of access, and limits Police Department use to criminal investigations, including by the Real Time Crime Center. Members and Chief Brian Redd discussed training scope, access for state, county and federal agencies, accountability for misuse, query tracking, safeguards for emergencies, breach reporting, and a possible umbrella privacy ordinance covering drones and other technologies.
Item 4 · General plan
Northwest Community Plan
Discussed
Planning staff presented the plan guiding the Rose Park, Fairpark, Jordan Meadows, Poplar Grove and Westpointe neighborhoods through 2040, including station area plans for four North Temple TRAX stations and a future land use map, across Districts 1 and 2. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended adoption. Members raised redistricting and per-capita investment figures, the Jordan River Trail's northern connection, traffic calming near station areas and engagement. Council Member Petro asked that it address workforce housing, walking and biking, preservation, economic development, gathering spaces and water rates. Council Member Puy asked to strengthen the government participation goals. A hearing is set for August 18.
- Planning Commission: unanimous recommendation to adopt
Item 5 · General plan
Central Community Plan update
Discussed
Planning staff reviewed the scope, timeline, existing conditions report and community feedback so far on housing, transportation, parks, safety and local businesses, with outreach events through September 2026. Council Member Puy asked that the plan be posted on council member web pages.
Item 7 · Presentation
Affordable Housing Incentives two-year report
Discussed
Nick Norris reported on the program the council adopted in 2024: application statistics, affordability levels, units by council district, permit status, the staff time needed for restrictive covenants and proposed code clarifications. As of April 2026 only two projects had been completed. Council Member Petro asked for data on geographic distribution and Council Member Wharton asked for an update in two years.
Item 8 · Budget
Capital Improvement Program follow-up
Discussed
Kate Werrett said 76 applications requested more than $58 million against $34.9 million available. Members went through 30 funding log items, including street reconstruction, Sugar House Park county match, GREENbike grant match, traffic signals, overlay, park restrooms, Jordan Park sewer and stormwater work, Vision Zero corridors, lighting, ADA ramps and park accessibility, irrigation upgrades, Washington Park septic expansion, Civic Center construction documents, demolition of the city-owned Colfax and Odyssey House buildings, a 700 South and 500 West traffic circle and Poplar Grove traffic calming. Council Member Carlsen advocated for a Mead Avenue and West Temple crosswalk, and members made several requests for follow-up information. Council Member Wharton left during this item.
- Budget$34.9 million
Item 9 · Appointment
Board interview: Parks, Natural Lands, Urban Forestry and Trails Advisory Board
Discussed
The council interviewed a candidate for the board, and Council Member Carlsen said the name would go on the consent agenda. Council Member Puy left during this item.
What residents said
Data privacy and police technologyDrought and water useCapital project funding