Affordable housing incentives ordinance
Council adopted Ordinance 74 of 2023 (6-1) establishing a chapter of zoning incentives for affordable housing, with a follow-up measure on construction damage to neighboring property and an implementation report due April 30, 2024.
- Where it stands
- Approved
- Type
- Code change
- Location
- Citywide
- Applicant
- Salt Lake City
Every hearing and vote
September 19, 2023 · City Council work session
Affordable housing incentives (citywide zoning text amendment)
Discussed
Planners described incentive-based, income-restricted rules that would add administrative design review, extra building height, planned development modifications, removal of density limits in RMF zones and additional dwelling types in various zones, with design standards, historic preservation considerations, administration, enforcement penalties and incentives to preserve existing housing. Council Member Victoria Petro asked for a future work session considering this alongside the Thriving in Place program. A hearing was planned for October 17.
October 3, 2023 · City Council
Consent agenda: hearing dates and board appointments
Approved · 7-0
The Council approved the consent agenda by a single vote. It set Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. for hearings on the affordable housing incentives ordinance, a rezone at 1018 East 900 South (RMF-35 to RMF-30) and the M-1 height text amendment. It approved appointments of Kathryn Carlisle-Kesling (Cultural Core Finance Committee), Helen Langan (Utah Performing Arts Center Agency), Josh Stewart and a reappointment of Jim Espeland (Transportation Advisory Board), and term corrections for Planning Commission members Turner Bitton and Carlos Santos-Rivera.
October 3, 2023 · City Council work session
Affordable housing incentives (follow-up)
Discussed
Staff reviewed a citywide ordinance amending Title 21A to create a chapter of zoning incentives for affordable housing, including administrative design review, added height, planned development modifications, removal of density limits in RMF zones and more dwelling types. Members asked about staffing, speeding approvals, how affordability is set relative to 80% of area median income, for-sale housing incentives, enforcement of construction outside permits, setbacks and effects on neighbors. Staff asked members to send questions before the item returns.
- Staff: Nick Tarbet
- Petition: PLNPCM2019-00658
- Hearing set for Oct. 17
October 10, 2023 · City Council work session
Affordable housing incentives (follow-up)
Discussed
Council Member Daniel Dugan read a statement relaying residents' concerns about homeownership and wealth building as city priorities. Members and staff discussed traffic safety, deed restrictions to keep low-income housing affordable, incentivizing homeownership, moderate density increases and the Avenues as a model. Council Member Chris Wharton thanked Dugan, and staff member Nick Tarbet spoke on enforcement efforts.
October 17, 2023 · City Council
Affordable housing incentives ordinance
Continued · 7-0
The Council heard 12 speakers on the citywide ordinance creating zoning incentives for affordable housing. Speakers who opposed or questioned it said density does not equal affordability, expressed concern about changes to single-family zones, demolitions, parking, effects on historic districts and neighborhood notice, and called for enforcement; the East Bench Community Council supported only duplexes, twin homes and some detached accessory units. Others described a need for more affordable housing and expressed cautious optimism about anti-displacement work on the west side. The Council closed the hearing and deferred action.
- Petition: PLNPCM2019-00658
November 7, 2023 · City Council work session
Affordable housing incentives (follow-up with straw polls)
Discussed
Staff and the Council worked through the ordinance's incentives for rental and for-sale units. Five straw polls were taken. Support was unanimous (7-0) to require ownership projects in zones B and C to restrict either 10% of units at 80% of area median income or 5% at 60%; to treat home ownership differently and allow for-sale units in Type A zones up to 100% of AMI; to allow added height up to 12 feet per story in Type C zones; and to require application tracking and additional application information. A proposal to allow only single-family or duplex homes in Type A zones failed 6-1, with Council Member Daniel Dugan in favor.
- Straw polls: 7-0, 7-0, 6-1 (limit on triplexes/fourplexes not supported), 7-0, 7-0
November 14, 2023 · City Council work session
Affordable housing incentives (follow-up with straw polls)
Discussed
Members discussed approving the ordinance contingent on language about what could be done if a neighbor or contractor damages adjacent property, whether Title 18 of the code already addresses property damage, and the city's role in such claims. Three straw polls were supported by all members present: enact the incentives before year's end with implementation and applications delayed until April 30, 2024 while staff develops a separate ordinance addressing Title 18; require a framework for enforcement and reporting on how staff will manage the ordinance by that deadline; and remove subsection "E" on the number of units that can be designated affordable from Section 21A.52.050.H.3.e.
- Straw polls: all members present in favor of each
December 5, 2023 · City Council
Affordable housing incentives (Ordinance 74 of 2023)
Approved · 6-1
The Council adopted a new Title 21A chapter of zoning incentives for affordable housing. Members thanked the community and staff; Council Member Victoria Petro thanked Council Member Daniel Dugan for advocating for home ownership. The motion also started a legislative action asking the administration and city attorney to draft an ordinance clarifying that construction must not damage adjacent properties, setting penalties, an enforcement process and a remediation process, and asked for a report on how the program will be administered and enforced by April 30, 2024. Dugan voted no.
- Petition: PLNPCM2019-00658
- Implementation report due April 30, 2024