Mixed-Use (MU) zoning consolidation

Every hearing and vote

1. February 4, 2025 · City Council work session

   Mixed-Use (MU) zoning consolidation text and map amendment

   Discussed

   Planning staff briefed the Council on a proposal to merge up to 27 commercial, form-based and mixed-use districts into six new MU districts to simplify regulations, clarify language and add missing design standards. The new districts would be similar to current ones but with changes to setbacks, height, lot coverage and uses. Staff covered public engagement, parking and signs, overlay removals, the Transitional Overlay and recommended map updates. Council Member Sarah Young asked to discuss allowing drive-throughs for financial institutions in the MU-11 zone and an exception for height up to 150 feet south of 2100 South in Sugar House. Council Member Darin Mano asked for more MU-2 and MU-3 pockets in neighborhoods in future R-1 changes, and Council Member Alejandro Puy asked for a meeting on Transit Station Area zones.

2. July 1, 2025 · City Council

   Mixed-Use zoning consolidation text and map amendment (public hearing)

   Continued · 7-0

   The Council held a continued public hearing on consolidating up to 27 commercial, form-based and mixed-use districts into six MU districts (Petition PLNPCM2024-00707). Of 11 speakers, eight opposed or asked for changes: concerns included traffic and safety, effects on existing businesses, height allowances, parking for businesses and customers, a request to keep MU-1 zoning, and regulations near historic landmarks. Two speakers supported it, citing updated setbacks and letting workers live closer to jobs; another said current variance and rear-yard setback processes produce unequal outcomes. The Council closed the hearing and deferred action.

   • Petition: PLNPCM2024-00707

   Moved by Council Member Puy, seconded by Council Member Dugan. Vote: 7-0

3. July 1, 2025 · City Council work session

   Mixed-Use zoning consolidation text and map amendment follow-up

   Discussed

   Planners updated the Council on a proposal to consolidate up to 27 commercial, form-based and mixed-use districts into six new mixed-use (MU) districts. All Council Members present supported by straw poll: a 10-foot stepback after 30 feet on streets under 90 feet wide across the MU districts; keeping the Midas and Snelgrove blocks at MU-8; adding outdoor storage, outdoor equipment rental and outdoor contractor's yard as conditional uses and indoor contractor's yard/office as a permitted use in the 700 West transitional overlay; MU-3 zoning for the Green Street strip mall; and a six-month transition period for old and new zoning. Other topics were stepbacks next to landmarks, parking distance from transit, residential setbacks and Sugar House heights.

4. July 8, 2025 · City Council

   Mixed-Use zoning consolidation (Ordinance 47 of 2025)

   Approved · 4-3

   The Council adopted the consolidation of up to 27 districts into six MU districts (Petition PLNPCM2024-00707) with two changes: a 10-foot front stepback after 30 feet of height in the Sugar House additional-height area (McClelland to 1300 East, 2100 South to I-80) for MU-8 and MU-11 zones, with the originally proposed 10-foot stepback after 85 feet elsewhere in those zones, and an effective date three months after adoption. It also adopted legislative actions to review the Interior Block Study for possible downzones, update the Central Community master plan for the State Street corridor, review on-street parking policy tied to new development, and ask the administration to propose standards for setbacks and stepbacks next to contributing structures in historic districts. Council Member Petro offered an amendment for a four-month effective date; Council Member Dugan, the mover, did not accept it. Council Members Young, Lopez Chavez and Petro voted no. After the vote Young said the result was a balanced compromise responding to the need for affordable housing while retaining neighborhood character.

   • Petition: PLNPCM2024-00707
   • Effective date: three months after adoption

   Moved by Council Member Dugan, seconded by Council Member Puy. Vote: 4-3; Council Members Victoria Petro, Sarah Young and Eva Lopez Chavez voted no

5. July 8, 2025 · City Council work session

   Mixed-Use zoning consolidation follow-up

   Discussed

   Nick Tarbet and Planning Director Nick Norris discussed setbacks and stepbacks next to landmarks, the variance process and incentives for qualifying historic buildings. Council Member Mano raised the Planning Commission's stepback requirement for streets under 90 feet wide and said it would affect many District 5 properties; he suggested limiting it to the area from McClelland Street to 2100 South and the freeway, and proposed a three-month implementation period. Council Member Wharton asked for a text amendment letting contributing structures in historic districts be treated like landmarks for setback and stepback purposes.