Sugar House hotel rezone (2111 South 1300 East)
Request to rezone 0.80 acres next to Sugar House Park from MU-3 to MU-8 and amend the master plan map for a hotel. After a long hearing March 24, the council rejected the ordinance 7-0 on April 7.
- Where it stands
- Denied
- Type
- Zone change
- Location
- Approximately 2111 South 1300 East
- Size
- 0.8 acres
- Applicant
- Magnus Commercial Properties (John Potter)
Every hearing and vote
February 17, 2026 · City Council work session
Sugar House hotel master plan and zoning map amendments
Discussed
Staff and the applicants presented a request to rezone about 0.80 acres next to the northwest corner of Sugar House Park from MU-3 to MU-8 and amend the Sugar House master plan map so a hotel can be built on the vacant, privately owned site. The Planning Commission gave a positive recommendation. The applicants described a rooftop restaurant, lobby cafe, underground parking and a GREENbike station. Members discussed a 25% commercial rent discount for local businesses, public parking as a community benefit and environmental risks of underground parking. Council Member Sarah Young asked for more on the discount, and Council Member Alejandro Puy said questions on community benefits and environmental concerns were outstanding.
- Applicant: John Potter, Magnus Commercial Properties, for the property owner
- Acres: 0.80
- Current zone → proposed: MU-3 → MU-8
- Council District 7
- Timeline: hearing Mar. 24; tentative action Apr. 7
March 10, 2026 · City Council
Consent agenda
Approved · 7-0
The council approved the consent agenda: setting March 24 hearings on the Sugar House hotel rezone (2111 South 1300 East), the 2260-2290 East 1300 South rezone, the expiration of land use approvals text amendment, an alley vacation east of Browning Avenue, fiscal year 2026-27 federal housing grant allocations, and disposition of airport noise mitigation property at about 840 South Gladiola Street (nonresidential, airport-compatible use only); appointing Jonathan Gardner and Lisa Ramsey Adams and reappointing John Bradshaw to the Airport Board; and reappointing Hannah Nielsen to the Arts Council.
March 24, 2026 · City Council
Sugar House hotel master plan and zoning map amendments at 2111 South 1300 East
Continued · 6-0-1
Staff reminded the council the vote was on the rezone, not the hotel. Of roughly 40 speakers, most opposed the rezone, including Sugar House Community Council representatives, citing traffic and parking, scale and incompatibility with the neighborhood and park, loss of views and green space, flood detention risk, precedent, bird safety, limited community benefits and the Sugar House Business District boundary at 1300 East. The developer's team, hotel operator staff, the architect (who said the building would be no taller than seven stories), and several supporters spoke for the rezone, citing jobs, public benefits and parking. Bird Safe Utah asked to work with the developer on bird-safe design. Council Member Sarah Young thanked residents and noted tentative action on April 7. Action was deferred.
- Applicant: John Potter, Magnus Commercial Properties
- Acres: 0.80
- Current zone → proposed: MU-3 → MU-8
April 7, 2026 · City Council
Sugar House hotel master plan and zoning map amendments at 2111 South 1300 East
Denied · 7-0
Council Member Sarah Young emphasized Sugar House Park as a community landmark and said approval would set a precedent for extending the business district past adopted plan boundaries before the effects of existing mixed-use zoning were known. She thanked residents, groups and the applicant. Council Member Alejandro Puy thanked her for relaying park users' views. The council voted unanimously to reject the ordinance, which would have rezoned 0.80 acres from MU-3 to MU-8 and amended the Sugar House master plan map for a hotel.
- Applicant: John Potter, Magnus Commercial Properties
- Acres: 0.80
- Current zone → proposed: MU-3 → MU-8