Entity Staff Report - 10/8/2021COUNCIL STAFF
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL of SALT LAKE CITY
TO:City Council Members
FROM: Nick Tarbet, Policy Analyst
DATE: October 5, 2021
RE: Text amendment: Technology Related
Land Use Text Amendments
PLNPCM2021-00511
PROJECT TIMELINE:
Briefing October 5, 2021
Set Date: October 5, 2021
Public Hearing: Nov 9, 2021
Potential Action: Nov 16, 2021
ISSUE AT-A-GLANCE
The Council will hold a briefing on the proposed Bio-medical, Technology Facility, Medical Laboratory,
Research and Development Facility, and Data Center Zoning Text Amendment. The proposed amendment,
initiated by Mayor Erin Mendenhall, would add Biomedical Uses, Data Centers and Technology Uses to the
zoning code and modify definitions and the land use tables for medical related laboratories and research
and development facilities.
The proposal updates the zoning code and does the following:
Adds Biomedical, Technology Facility, and Data Center as defined terms in the zoning code and
adds the uses to the land use tables as permitted uses in certain zoning districts.
Adds a qualifying provision as a footnote to the land use tables related to Biomedical uses that
would prohibit uses that produce hazardous waste from being located within ½ mile of a
residential use.
Modifies and merges several defined land-uses into one use called “Laboratory, medical related”
and updates the land use tables.
Updates the defined land use “research and development facility” so the definition reflects the
nature of the use and expands where the use is allowed in the land use tables.
The Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation to the City Council.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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The following section provides the definition for the new and amended land uses. Maps of where each use
will be allowed citywide are included in the Planning Commission staff report, pages 1-6.
Each of the uses would be classified as permitted in the land use tables. Included along with the map of
where each use would be permitted in the Planning Commission staff report is an explanation of why it is
appropriate for these to be permitted uses instead of conditional. In general, Planning staff found these
types of uses produce similar impacts to uses that are already permitted in the zoning districts.
Biomedical Land Uses: (Pages 1-2 Planning Commission Staff Report)
Proposed definition: An establishment that performs research and development in the field of
medicine and produces biologic, biomedical, or pharmaceutical products. A bio-medical facility is
not a hospital, health care facility, medical incinerator, or medical office.
Technology Facility (Pages 3-4 Planning Commission Staff Report)
Proposed definition: An establishment that is engaged in research, development, production,
service, or related functions that uses technology to produce, deliver, or maintain data,
information, equipment, computers, or related accessories or services to others. A technology
facility is not a bio-medical facility or a research and development facility
Laboratory, Medical Related (Pages 4-5 Planning Commission Staff Report)
Proposed Definition: An establishment that performs research and analysis of medical tests and
biologic samples collected for the purpose of medical diagnosis. A medical related laboratory is not
a bio-medical facility.
Research and Development Facilities (Page 5-6 Planning Commission Staff Report)
Proposed Definition: An establishment comprised of one or more structures used primarily for
applied and developmental research conducted entirely indoors. The use may include testing to
determine the physical qualities of already manufactured materials or materials used in the
manufacturing of a prototype. Research and development facility is not a bio-medical facility or
light manufacturing.
Data Center (permitted in the M1, M2 and BP zoning districts)
Proposed Definition: An establishment that centralizes information technology operations and
equipment for the purposes of storing, processing, and disseminating data and applications.
The Planning commission staff report notes concerns about the amount of water usage of Data
Centers. Planning staff noted they are currently processing a text amendment that would prohibit
land uses that consume more than 300,000 gallons of water per day. This may effectively result in
data centers not being built in the city if the Council were to adopt that text amendment.
o The Planning Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation on September 22 for
the Significant Water Consuming Land Uses Text Amendment.
PUBLIC PROCESS
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Online Storyboard and survey posted on Planning Division
o Survey was accessible from May 21, 2021 to July 31, 2021.
Notice sent to all recognized organizations
o Downtown and Sugar House Community councils requested presentations
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on August 25, 2021
City Council // October 5, 2021
TECH RELATED LAND USES
•Creates new land use definitions
•Bio-medical Facility
•Technology Facility
•Data Center
•Modifies existing land use definitions
•Medical Laboratory
•Research and Development Facility
•Updates land use tables
•Adds new uses
•Deletes repetitive uses
THIS PROPOSAL:
Salt Lake City // Planning Division
BIOMEDICAL FACILITIES
An establishment that performs research and development in
the field of medicine and produces biologic, biomedical, or
pharmaceutical products. A bio-medical facility is not a hospital,
health care facility, medical incinerator, or medical office.
Salt Lake City // Planning Division
BIOMEDICAL FACILITIES
Salt Lake City // Planning Division
BIOMEDICAL FACILITIES
Where they would be allowed
*Prohibited within ½ mile of a residential use if the facility produces hazardous or radioactive
223 waste as defined by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality administrative rules.
Zoning District Bio-Medical*
RB Residential Business
R-MU-35 Residential Mixed-Use District
R-MU-45 Residential Mixed-Use District
RMU Residential Mixed-Use District
RO Residential Office
CB Community Business District
CC Corridor Commercial District P
CS Community Shopping District P
CG General Commercial District P
CSHBD Sugar House Business District P
TSA-UC Transit Station Area Urban Center Core P
TSA-UC Transit Station Area Urban Center Transition
TSA-UN Transit Station Area Urban Neighborhood Core P
TSA-UN Transit Station Area Urban Neighborhood
Transition
TSA-MUEC Transit Station Area Mixed Use Employment
Center Core
P
TSA-UN Transit Station Area Mixed Use Employment Center
Transition
TSA-SP Transit Station Area Special Purpose Core P
TSA-SP Transit Station Area Special Purpose Transition
D-1 Central Business District P
D-2 Downtown Support District P
D-3 Downtown Warehouse/Residential District P
D-4 Downtown Secondary Central Business District P
GMU Gateway Mixed Use District P
FB-SC Form Based Special Purpose Corridor District P
FB-SE Form Based Special Purpose Edge District
FB-UN2 Form Based Urban Neighborhood District P
FB-UN3 Form Based Urban Neighborhood District P
M-1 Light Industrial P
M-2 Heavy Manufacturing P
BP Business Park District P
RP Research Park District P
UI Urban Institutional District P
I Institutional
MU Mixed Use District P
TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES
An establishment that is engaged in research, development, production, service,
or related functions that uses technology to produce, deliver, or maintain data,
information, equipment, computers, or related accessories or services to others.
A technology facility is not a bio-medical facility or a research and development
facility
Salt Lake City // Planning Division
TECHNOLOGY FACILITY
Salt Lake City // Planning Division
TECHNOLOGY FACILITY
Where they would be allowed
Zoning District Technology facility
RB Residential Business
R-MU-35 Residential Mixed-Use District P
R-MU-45 Residential Mixed-Use District P
RMU Residential Mixed-Use District P
RO Residential Office P
CB Community Business District
CC Corridor Commercial District P
CS Community Shopping District P
CG General Commercial District P
CSHBD Sugar House Business District P
TSA-UC Transit Station Area Urban Center Core P
TSA-UC Transit Station Area Urban Center Transition P
TSA-UN Transit Station Area Urban Neighborhood Core P
TSA-UN Transit Station Area Urban Neighborhood Transition P
TSA-MUEC Transit Station Area Mixed Use Employment Center Core P
TSA-UN Transit Station Area Mixed Use Employment Center Transition P
TSA-SP Transit Station Area Special Purpose Core P
TSA-SP Transit Station Area Special Purpose Transition P
D-1 Central Business District P
D-2 Downtown Support District P
D-3 Downtown Warehouse/Residential District P
D-4 Downtown Secondary Central Business District P
GMU Gateway Mixed Use District P
FB-SC Form Based Special Purpose Corridor District P
FB-SE Form Based Special Purpose Edge District P
FB-UN2 Form Based Urban Neighborhood District P
FB-UN3 Form Based Urban Neighborhood District P
M-1 Light Industrial P
M-2 Heavy Manufacturing P
BP Business Park District P
RP Research Park District P
UI Urban Institutional District P
I Institutional
MU Mixed Use District P
DATA CENTERS
DATA CENTER: An establishment that centralizes information technology
operations and 281 equipment for the purposes of storing, processing, and
disseminating data and applications.
Subject to High Water Consuming Land Use Regulations
Salt Lake City // Planning Division
DATA CENTER
Permitted in:
•M-1 Light Manufacturing
•M-2 Heavy Manufacturing
•BP Business Park
MEDICAL RELATED LABORATORIES
An establishment that performs research and analysis of 284 medical tests and
biologic samples collected for the purpose of medical diagnosis. A medical 285
related laboratory is not a bio-medical facility.
Salt Lake City // Planning Division
MEDICAL RELATED LABORATORY
Salt Lake City // Planning Division
MEDICAL RELATED LABS
Where they would be allowed
Zoning District Laboratory, Medical
Related
RB Residential Business P
R-MU-35 Residential Mixed-Use District P
R-MU-45 Residential Mixed-Use District P
RMU Residential Mixed-Use District P
RO Residential Office P
CB Community Business District P
CC Corridor Commercial District P
CS Community Shopping District P
CG General Commercial District P
CSHBD Sugar House Business District P
TSA-UC Transit Station Area Urban Center Core P
TSA-UC Transit Station Area Urban Center Transition P
TSA-UN Transit Station Area Urban Neighborhood Core P
TSA-UN Transit Station Area Urban Neighborhood Transition P
TSA-MUEC Transit Station Area Mixed Use Employment Center Core P
TSA-UN Transit Station Area Mixed Use Employment Center Transition P
TSA-SP Transit Station Area Special Purpose Core P
TSA-SP Transit Station Area Special Purpose Transition P
D-1 Central Business District P
D-2 Downtown Support District P
D-3 Downtown Warehouse/Residential District P
D-4 Downtown Secondary Central Business District P
GMU Gateway Mixed Use District P
FB-SC Form Based Special Purpose Corridor District P
FB-SE Form Based Special Purpose Edge District P
FB-UN2 Form Based Urban Neighborhood District P
FB-UN3 Form Based Urban Neighborhood District P
M-1 Light Industrial P
M-2 Heavy Manufacturing P
BP Business Park District P
RP Research Park District P
UI Urban Institutional District P
I Institutional P
MU Mixed Use District P
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES
An establishment that performs research and analysis of 284 medical tests and
biologic samples collected for the purpose of medical diagnosis. A medical 285
related laboratory is not a bio-medical facility.
Salt Lake City // Planning Division
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY
Salt Lake City // Planning Division
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY
Where they would be allowed
Zoning District Research/
Development Facility
RB Residential Business
R-MU-35 Residential Mixed-Use District
R-MU-45 Residential Mixed-Use District
RMU Residential Mixed-Use District P
RO Residential Office P
CB Community Business District
CC Corridor Commercial District P
CS Community Shopping District P
CG General Commercial District P
CSHBD Sugar House Business District P
TSA-UC Transit Station Area Urban Center Core P
TSA-UC Transit Station Area Urban Center Transition P
TSA-UN Transit Station Area Urban Neighborhood Core P
TSA-UN Transit Station Area Urban Neighborhood Transition P
TSA-MUEC Transit Station Area Mixed Use Employment Center Core P
TSA-UN Transit Station Area Mixed Use Employment Center Transition P
TSA-SP Transit Station Area Special Purpose Core P
TSA-SP Transit Station Area Special Purpose Transition P
D-1 Central Business District P
D-2 Downtown Support District P
D-3 Downtown Warehouse/Residential District P
D-4 Downtown Secondary Central Business District P
GMU Gateway Mixed Use District P
FB-SC Form Based Special Purpose Corridor District P
FB-SE Form Based Special Purpose Edge District P
FB-UN2 Form Based Urban Neighborhood District P
FB-UN3 Form Based Urban Neighborhood District P
M-1 Light Industrial P
M-2 Heavy Manufacturing P
BP Business Park District P
RP Research Park District P
UI Urban Institutional District P
I Institutional P
MU Mixed Use District P