Council Provided Information - 7/18/2023CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY
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COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL of SALT LAKE CITY
TO:City Council Members
FROM:Brian Fullmer
Policy Analyst
DATE:July 18, 2023
RE: Riverside Cottages Zoning and Master Plan Amendments
(1500, 1516, 1520, 1522 West 500 North, and 552 North 1500 West)
PLNPCM2021-01075/01203 & PLNPCM2022-00674
PUBLIC HEARING UPDATE
Two people spoke at the July 11, 2023 public hearing opposing the proposed zoning map and master plan
amendments. Concerns cited include neighborhood impacts such as pedestrian safety, parking, traffic and
congestion, a lack of privacy for surrounding residents, and the plan doesn’t maintain the neighborhood’s
visual character. Other concerns expressed include the proposed homes do not provide sightlines to streets,
sidewalks and driveways, and the plan is inconsistent with the area master plan. The Council was asked to
encourage the developer to develop the site under current zoning.
The Council closed the public hearing and deferred action to a future meeting.
BRIEFING UPDATE
During the June 6, 2023 briefing the petitioner said the proposed new homes will be for sale and located
within the block’s interior. From the petitioner’s planned development application, it is anticipated the
homes will have multiple floor plans with up to four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. Options for
a studio apartment or accessory dwelling unit are also discussed. Existing homes on 500 North are rentals
and are being renovated.
An existing walkway serving Backman Elementary School is not impacted by the proposed development.
An additional walkway from 500 North through the development to Backman Elementary is included in
the planned development currently being reviewed by Planning.
Item Schedule:
Briefing: June 13, 2023
Set Date: June 6, 2023
Public Hearing: July 11, 2023
Potential Action: July 18, 2023
Page | 2
The Attorney’s Office notified Council staff that the ordinance for this proposal includes a condition
requiring replacement of demolished dwelling units. However, the zoning map amendment must be in
place for construction of the replacement housing. It is recommended that the condition is clarified to
require a development and use agreement or restrictive covenant against the property requiring
replacement housing. Staff will work with the Attorney’s Office to make this change to the ordinance.
The following information was provided for the June 13, 2023 Council briefing. It is
included again for background purposes.
The Council will be briefed about the following proposed zoning amendments:
•Amend the zoning map for the southern 110 feet (approximately) of parcels located at 1500 West,
1516 West, 1520 West, and 1522 West 500 North from their current R-1/7,000 single-family
residential zoning designation to R-1/5,000.
•Amend the Northwest Community Master Plan future land use map from low-density residential to
medium density residential, and amend the zoning from R-1/7,000 single-family residential to SR-
3 special development pattern residential for the following parcels:
o 552 North 1500 West
o Northern portions (beginning approximately 110 feet north of the 500 North right-of-way
line) of the above-mentioned parcels at 1500 West, 1516 West, 1520 West, and 1522 West
500 North.
The petitioner’s stated objective is to create an interior-block development of seventeen single-family
detached homes in the blue shaded portion of the image below. Single-family homes are located on the four
parcels fronting 500 North (shaded in green below) and would be retained under the proposal. There is a
single-family home on the 552 North 1500 West parcel that would be removed under the proposal.
Replacement housing would satisfy housing loss mitigation requirements.
If approved by the Council, one result is parcels fronting 500 North would be split-zoned as R-1/5,000 and
SR-3. This would be resolved by a lot line adjustment through the planned development and subdivision
processes associated with the project.
The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed zoning map and future land use map amendments at its
September 28, 2022 meeting and held a public hearing at which one person spoke and a letter with petition
from nearby residents was read. The letter expressed concern about on-street parking and speeding
vehicles on 500 North, overcrowding of local schools, and opposition to changing the neighborhood’s
character. Commissioners stated they believed the project would not impact traffic on 500 North. They also
said the proposed zoning district enables limited additional density without significant impact to existing
properties.
The person who spoke agreed with concerns expressed in the letter. She also asked about water rights on
the subject properties. The petitioner was asked about problems with water rights, and he said he was
unaware of any. The Commission determined the issue was outside its purview.
Planning staff recommended and the Commission voted unanimously on all three petitions to forward
positive recommendations to the Council. Following the meeting, Planning staff worked with the petitioner
on additional information needed. (Please refer to the project chronology later in this report for additional
information.)
Page | 3
Area map showing proposed zoning changes
Image courtesy of Salt Lake City Planning Division
Goal of the briefing: Review the proposed zoning and future land use map amendments, determine if
the Council supports moving forward with the proposal.
POLICY QUESTIONS
1. The Council may wish to ask the petitioner if the existing and proposed homes are anticipated to be
for rent, for sale, or both.
2. In keeping with the Council’s interest in housing affordability, the Council may wish to ask for more
information about what price point the developer / petitioner will list the properties (whether for
sale or rent). The Council may wish to ask the petitioner about the anticipated size of the proposed
homes and number of bedrooms in each.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Planning staff provided the following table summarizing the proposed amendments for each of the subject
parcels.
Page | 4
Table courtesy of Salt Lake City Planning Division
The Council is only being asked to consider rezoning the property and amending the future land use map.
No formal site plan has been submitted to the City nor is it within the scope of the Council’s role to review
the plans. Because zoning of a property can outlast the life of a building, any rezoning application should be
considered on the merits of changing the zoning of that property, not simply based on a potential project.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Planning staff identified four key considerations related to the proposal which are found on pages 4-5 of
the Planning Commission staff report and summarized below. For the complete analysis, please see the
staff report.
Consideration 1-Compliance with Relevant Master Plan Policies
The subject parcels are in the area covered by the Northwest Community Master Plan, adopted in 1992.
That plan recommends preserving single-family development in the area and raises concerns about new
development altering the neighborhood character. Current R-1/7,000 zoning is considered low-density
residential, while the proposed R-1/5,000 and SR-3 zoning would be a mix of low- and medium-density
residential. Policies within the more recent Plan Salt Lake (2015), and Growing SLC (2018) suggest infill
development including medium-density housing in the city.
Planning stated they would be more concerned about potential negative impacts to the neighborhood if the
proposal called for higher density or more intense uses. However, the requested SR-3 zoning is intended to
promote infill development that is compatible with existing neighborhoods.
Consideration 2-Compatibility with Adjacent Properties
Zoning in the immediate area is largely R-1/7,000 zoning with single-family houses on lots larger than
7,000 square feet. There are some duplexes on adjacent property to the north, and a nearby small planned
development to the west. The zoning for these is R-1/7,000 and R-2 (single- and two-family residential)
which are both considered low-density residential. Planning staff believes development under the proposed
SR-3 zoning would be comparable to these and compatible with the neighborhood.
Consideration 3-Traffic on 1500 West
Page | 5
The petitioner indicated he is planning to retain the four single-family homes fronting on 500 North. If that
is the case, access to the proposed homes on the block’s interior (blue shaded area in image above) would
likely be from 1500 West. Student drop-off and pick-up for Backman Elementary (located northwest of the
subject properties) is on 1500 West. In addition, Planning stated it appears that residents of the duplexes
to the north also use the street for parking. New development that would use 1500 West for access could
add to traffic and parking issues on this section of the road. Those would be considered with a development
application.
Consideration 4-Housing Loss Mitigation Report
The petitioner submitted a housing loss mitigation plan and as noted above, satisfied requirements by
providing replacement housing units. The plan was evaluated and approved by CAN Director Blake
Thomas.
ZONING COMPARISON
Planning staff provided the following table on page 4 of the Planning Commission staff report. It is
replicated here for convenience. Differences between the zoning districts are shown in bold.
R-1/7,000 (current)R-1/5,000 (proposed)SR-3 (proposed)
Maximum Building Height 28 feet to the ridge of the
roof or the average height of
other principal buildings on
the block face – 20 feet to
the top of a flat roof
28 feet to the ridge of the
roof or the average height of
other principal buildings on
the block face – 20 feet to
the top of a flat roof
28 feet to the ridge of the
roof or the average height of
other principal buildings on
the block face – 20 feet to
the top of a flat roof
Front Setback Average of the front yards of
existing buildings within the
block face. 20 feet where
there are no existing
buildings within the block
face. Where the minimum
front yard is specified in the
recorded subdivision plat,
the requirement specified
on the plat shall prevail.
Average of the front yards of
existing buildings within the
block face. 20 feet where
there are no existing
buildings within the block
face. Where the minimum
front yard is specified in the
recorded subdivision plat,
the requirement specified
on the plat shall prevail.
Average of the front yards of
existing buildings within the
block face. 10 feet where
there are no existing
buildings within the block
face. Where the minimum
front yard is specified in the
recorded subdivision plat,
the requirement specified
on the plat shall prevail.
Side Setback Corner side yard: 10 feet
Interior: 6 feet on one side,
10 feet on the other
Corner side yard: 10 feet
Interior: 4 feet on one side,
10 feet on the other
Corner side yard: 10 feet
Interior: 4 feet (Single-
family detached)
Single-family attached and
twin homes: No setback
unless next to a single-
family dwelling, then 4 feet
required
Rear Setback 25 feet 25% of lot depth or 20
feet, whichever is less
20% of lot depth – not less
than 15 feet not more
than 30 feet
Lot Size Single-family detached:
7,000 square feet
Single-family detached:
5,000 square feet
Single-family detached:
2,000 square feet
Single-family attached:
1,500 square feet / unit
Two-family/duplexes:
3,000 square feet
Permitted Uses Single-family detached
dwellings, parks, home
occupations
Single-family detached
dwellings, parks, home
occupations, dormitories
Single-family dwellings
(detached & attached),
twin homes, duplexes,
parks, home occupations
Page | 6
Analysis of Factors
Attachment F (pages 23-27) of the Planning Commission staff report outlines master plan and zoning map
amendment standards that should be considered as the Council reviews this proposal. It is Planning staff’s
opinion that the proposed master plan amendment changing the future land use map to medium-density
residential fulfills the intended outcomes of policies within Plan Salt Lake, Growing SLC, and the Northwest
Community Master Plan.
In addition, Planning staff felt the proposed changes to R-1/5,000 and SR-3 zoning comply with the following
applicable standards for zoning map amendments. Please see the Planning Commission staff report for
additional information.
Factor Finding
Whether a proposed map amendment is consistent
with the purposes, goals, objectives, and policies of
the city as stated through its various adopted
planning documents.
Complies
Whether a proposed map amendment furthers the
specific purpose statements of the zoning ordinance.
Complies
The extent to which a proposed map amendment will
affect adjacent properties
Complies
Whether a proposed map amendment is consistent
with the purposes and provisions of any applicable
overlay zoning districts which may impose additional
standards.
Not applicable
The adequacy of public facilities and services
intended to serve the subject property, including, but
not limited to, roadways, parks and recreational
facilities, police and fire protection, schools,
stormwater drainage systems, water supplies, and
wastewater and refuse collection.
Complies
City Department Review
During City review of the petitions, no responding departments or divisions expressed objections to the
proposal, but stated additional comments would be provided if the property is developed.
PROJECT CHRONOLOGY
• December 13, 2021-Petition for zoning map amendment received by Planning Division.
• December 16, 2021-Zoning map amendment petitions assigned to Aaron Barlow, Principal
Planner.
• March 31, 2022-Zoning map amendments determined to be complete after applicant submitted
housing loss mitigation plan proposal.
• April 25, 2022- Public notice sent to Fairpark and Rose Park Community Council chairs, and
surrounding property owners and occupants within 300 feet of the subject properties. An open
house page posted to the Planning Division website.
Page | 7
• May 23, 2022-Planning staff determines the proposed SR-3 zone does not align with Northwest
Community Master Plan future land use map. A master plan amendment petition will be
necessary.
• July 12, 2022-Master plan amendment application submitted and assigned to Aaron Barlow,
Principal Planner.
• July 29, 2022-Updated notice sent to the Fairpark and Rose Park Community Council Chairs and
surrounding neighbors and property owners within 300 feet of the sites. The open house page on
the Planning Division’s website is updated.
• September 14, 2022-Planning Commission public hearing notice mailed to neighbors within 300
feet of the subject site. Notice posted on City and State websites and sent via the Planning listserv.
• September 16, 2022-Planning Commission public hearing notice posted on affected properties.
• September 28, 2022- Planning Commission public hearing. The Planning Commission voted
unanimously to forward a positive recommendation to the City Council for the proposed master
plan and zoning map amendments.
o Planning staff requests accurate legal description of the areas to be rezoned.
• January 24, 2023-Petitioner submits accurate legal description of the subject properties.
• February 3, 2023-City Survey confirms submitted legal descriptions.
• February 21, 2023-Draft ordinance requested from Attorney’s Office.
• March 14, 2023-Planning received draft ordinance from the Attorney’s Office.
• April 5, 2023-Transmittal received in City Council Office.