Council Provided Information - 7/2/2024CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY
451 SOUTH STATE STREET, ROOM 304
P.O. BOX 145476, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84114-5476
SLCCOUNCIL.COM
TEL 801-535-7600 FAX 801-535-7651
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL of SALT LAKE CITY
TO:City Council Members
FROM:Brian Fullmer
Policy Analyst
DATE:July 2, 2024
RE: Zoning Map Amendment at 1544 and 1550 South 900 West
PLNPCM2024-00128
BRIEFING UPDATE
The Council did not have any questions or comments at the June 4, 2024 briefing.
The following information was provided for June 4, 2024 Council briefing. It is
included again for background purposes.
The Council will be briefed about a proposal to amend the zoning map for two vacant parcels at 1544 and
1550 South 900 West from their current R-1/7,000 (single-family residential) to RMF-30 (low density
multi-family residential). Combined, the parcels total approximately 0.82 acres. The proposed zoning
would allow more density on the parcels.
In their application, the petitioner included a draft site plan showing 18 for sale townhomes on the subject
parcels. (It is worth noting that the petitioner owns adjacent parcels at 1549, 1551, and 1565 South 1000
West that were rezoned from R-1/7,000 to RMF-30 in July 2023.) The draft site plan shows a total of 46
two- and three-bedroom townhomes on the five parcels, though other uses allowed under RMF-30 zoning
such as small-scale multi-family, twin homes, cottage developments, or tiny homes could be built if the
zoning map amendment is approved by the Council.
The petition for this proposed rezone was received prior to the Community Benefit & Tenant Displacement
ordinance adoption, so it is subject to requirements in place at that time. Since the properties are vacant,
there is no loss of housing. Additionally, in their application narrative the petitioner stated their plan is to
include a publicly accessible open space on a 30-foot Public Utilities easement on the south side of their
Item Schedule:
Briefing: June 4, 2024
Set Date: June 11, 2024
Public Hearing: July 2, 2024
Potential Action: July 9, 2024
Page | 2
proposed development. It is described as a “walking path with natural features and vegetation” that would
also provide a mid-block connection between 900 and 1000 West.
The Planning Commission reviewed this proposal at its April 10, 2024 meeting and held a public hearing at
which one person spoke in support. Planning staff recommended and the Commission voted
unanimously to forward a positive recommendation to the Council.
As shown in the zoning map below, area zoning is a mix of single- and two-family residential (R-1/5,000,
R-1/7,000, R-2), low- and moderate-density multi-family residential (RMF-30, RMF-35), community
business (CB), and light manufacturing (M-1 (gray shaded area in lower right corner)).
Area zoning map with subject parcels highlighted in red. Adjacent parcels outlined in green
are owned by the petitioner and anticipated to be part of a future development.
Goal of the briefing: Review the proposed zoning map amendments, determine if the Council supports
moving forward with the proposal.
POLICY QUESTION
1. During their presentation to the Planning Commission, the petitioner referenced the proposed
townhomes to be sold at an attainable price. The Council may wish to ask what the anticipated
price range will be.
Page | 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Council is only being asked to consider rezoning the property. No formal site plan has been submitted
to the City nor is it within the scope of the Council’s authority 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 three key considerations related to the proposal which are found on pages 3-5 of
the Planning Commission staff report and summarized below. For the complete analysis, please see the
staff report.
Consideration 1 – Compliance with City Goals, Policies, and General Plans
Planning staff found that the proposed zoning map amendment supports initiatives in Plan Salt Lake
(2015) including Growth and Housing. In addition, the 2014 Westside Plan identifies vacant or
underutilized parcels such as those that are the subject of this proposed rezone as opportunities for infill
development for multi-family projects. It is Planning staff’s opinion that rezoning the parcels to RMF-30
would be consistent with the plan’s guidance.
Consideration 2 – R-1/7,000 vs. RMF-30 Zoning District Comparison
As previously mentioned, RMF-30 zoning allows greater development potential than R-1/7,000. That said,
development in RMF-30 is intended to be compatible with surrounding low-density neighborhoods. In
addition, RMF-30 zoning includes design standards and encourages a higher level of development.
Attachment D (pages 21-23) of the Planning Commission staff report includes a table comparing the zoning
districts. A portion of the table is included below. For additional information please see the staff report.
R-1/7,000 (Current)RMF-30 (Proposed)
Maximum Building Height 28 feet 30 feet
Minimum Lot Size 7,000 square feet 1,500 square feet/unit
(cottage/tiny house)
2,000 square feet/unit
(other single- and
multi-family uses)
5,000 square feet/unit
(non-residential)
Minimum Lot Width 50 feet None
Maximum Lot Width -110 feet
Minimum Corner Side Yard 20 feet or average
of block face
10 feet
Minimum Rear Yard 25 feet 10 feet
Landscape Yard -Front and corner side yards to
be maintained as landscape
Page | 4
yards
Landscape Buffers -10 feet required for multi-
family, row house, and non-
residential uses
Maximum Building
Coverage
40%50%
Design Standards
Durable Building Materials:
ground floor
-50%
Durable Building Materials:
upper floors
-50%
Glass: ground floor -20%
Glass: upper floors -15%
Building Entrances -At least one operable building
entrance on the ground floor is
required for every street facing
façade
Screening of Mechanical
Equipment
-X
Screening of Service Areas -X
Entry Features -X
Parking
Minimum off-street parking 2 spaces per dwelling unit
(single-family).
2 spaces per dwelling unit
(single-family attached or
detached), twin home,
two-family.
1 space per dwelling unit
(cottage development).
Multi-family:
1 space per dwelling unit
(studio and one-bedroom)
1.25 space per dwelling unit
(2+ bedrooms)
Consideration 3 – Neighborhood Analysis
Planning staff noted the adjacent properties to the west discussed above which were rezoned to RMF-30
last year. In addition, there is a large parcel on 900 West to the south of the subject parcels that is zoned
CB and is platted for 70 townhomes. It is Planning staff’s opinion that the request to rezone to RMF-30 is
Page | 5
appropriate given multiple new developments in this neighborhood that will provide family-sized housing
in the area.
Analysis of Standards
Attachment E (pages 24-26) of the Planning Commission staff report outlines zoning map amendment
standards that should be considered as the Council reviews this proposal. The standards and findings are
summarized below. 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.
Complies
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 concerns with the
proposal but stated additional review, permits, and utility upgrades would be required if the property is
developed.
PROJECT CHRONOLOGY
• February 5, 2024-Petition for zoning map amendment received by Planning Division.
• February 12, 2024-Petition assigned to Andy Hulka, Principal Planner.
• February 15, 2024-
o Notice sent to Glendale Community Council.
o Early notification sent to residents and property owners within 300 feet of the project site.
• February - April 2024-Online open house hosted to solicit public comments on the proposal.
• March 29, 2024-
Page | 6
o Notice of the Planning Commission public hearing posted on the property and mailed to
property owners and tenants within 300 feet of the subject properties.
o Notice of public hearing posted on City and State websites and sent via the Planning
Division listserv.
• April 10, 2024- Planning Commission public hearing. The Planning Commission voted 7-0 to
forward a positive recommendation to the City Council for the proposed zoning map amendment.
• April 29, 2024-Ordinance requested from City Attorney’s Office.
• May 7, 2024-Planning received signed ordinance from the Attorney’s Office.
• May 13, 2024-Transmittal received in City Council Office.