Legislative Version Ordinance - 3/25/2024
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LEGISLATIVE DRAFT
SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE 1
No. _____ of 2024 2
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(An ordinance amending various sections of Title 21A of the Salt Lake City Code 4
pertaining to penalties for work done without a certificate of appropriateness.) 5
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An ordinance amending various sections of Title 21A of the Salt Lake City Code pursuant 7
to Petition No. PLNPCM2023-00336 pertaining to the creation of penalties for work done 8
without a certificate of appropriateness. 9
WHEREAS, on January 4, 2024, the Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission 10
(“Landmark Commission”) held a public hearing to consider a petition submitted by Mayor Erin 11
Mendenhall to amend various sections of Title 21A of the Salt Lake City Code pertaining to the 12
creation of penalties for work done without a certificate of appropriateness pursuant to Petition 13
No. PLNPCM2023-00336; and 14
WHEREAS, at its January 4, 2024 meeting, the Landmark Commission voted in favor of 15
transmitting a positive recommendation with modifications to the Salt Lake City Planning 16
Commission (“Planning Commission”) and the Salt Lake City Council (“City Council”) on said 17
petition; and 18
WHEREAS, on January 10, 2024 the Planning Commission held a public hearing on said 19
petition; and 20
WHEREAS, at its January 10, 2024 meeting, the Planning Commission voted in favor of 21
transmitting a positive recommendation to the City Council on said petition; and 22
WHEREAS, after a public hearing on this matter the City Council has determined that 23
adopting this ordinance is in the city’s best interests. 24
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah: 25
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SECTION 1. Amending the text of Section 21A.34.020. That the list of subsections in 28
Section 21A.34.020 of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Overlay Districts: H Historic 29
Preservation Overlay District) shall be, and hereby is amended as follows, with no other 30
revisions to Section 21A.34.020: 31
21A.34.020: H HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY DISTRICT: 32
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A. Purpose Statement 34
B. Applicability 35
C. Local Historic Designation, Amendments or Revocation 36
D. Historic Status Determination 37
E. Certificate of Appropriateness Required 38
F. Procedures for Issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness 39
G. Standards for Alteration of a Landmark Site, Contributing Structure or New Construction 40
of an Accessory Structure 41
H. Standards for New Construction or Alteration of a Noncontributing Structure 42
I. Standards for Relocation 43
J. Standards for Demolition of a Landmark Site 44
K. Standards for Demolition of a Contributing Principal Building 45
L. Economic Hardship Determination 46
M. Reconstruction of a Carriage House on a Landmark Site 47
N. Enforcement 48
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SECTION 2. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.34.020.E.1. That Subsection 50
21A.34.020.E of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Overlay Districts: H Historic Preservation 51
Overlay District: Certificate of Appropriateness Required) shall be, and hereby is amended to 52
read as follows: 53
1. A certificate of appropriateness shall be required for all of the following: 54
a. Any exterior alteration to the property or any structure on the property unless 55
specifically exempted under Subsection 21A.34.020.E.2; 56
b. New Cconstruction; 57
c. Relocation of a structure or object on the same site or to another site; 58
d. Demolition; and 59
e. Reconstruction 60
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SECTION 3. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.34.020.F.2. That Subsection 62
21A.34.020.F.2 of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Overlay Districts: H Historic Preservation 63
Overlay District: Procedure for Issuance of Certificate of Appropriateness) shall be, and hereby 64
is amended to read as follows: 65
2. Historic Landmark Commission Authority: The following shall only be decided by 66
the historic landmark commission: 67
a. Substantial alteration or addition to a landmark site or contributing site, building, 68
and/or structure; 69
b. New construction of a principal building in the H Historic Preservation Overlay 70
District; 71
c. Relocation of a landmark site or contributing principal building; 72
d. Demolition of a landmark site or contributing principal building; 73
e. Economic hardship determination; 74
f. Reconstruction of a carriage house on a landmark site; and 75
g. Applications referred by the planning director. 76
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SECTION 4. Enacting the text of Subsection 21A.34.020.F.3.c. That a new Subsection 78
21A.34.020.F.3.c of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Overlay Districts: H Historic Preservation 79
Overlay District: Procedure for Issuance of Certificate of Appropriateness: Submission of 80
Application) is hereby enacted as follows: 81
c. Reconstruction Application Requirements: In addition to the general application 82
requirements listed above, applications for reconstruction shall include drawings 83
and photographs of the original structure that justify the dimensions and details of 84
the proposed structure. The applicant shall provide documentation that indicates 85
the original structure’s approximate: 86
(1) Location on the site and the estimated setbacks. 87
(2) Building footprint, including shape and size. 88
(3) Roof shape, slope and details. 89
(4) Building height, including wall height and roof height. 90
(5) Openings, including location, arrangement, size and details of any window or 91
door openings. For reconstruction of carriage house, include carriage entries. 92
(6) Exterior building materials. 93
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SECTION 5. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.34.020.F.6. That Subsection 95
21A.34.020.F.6 of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Overlay Districts: H Historic Preservation 96
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Overlay District: Procedure for Issuance of Certificate of Appropriateness) shall be, and hereby 97
is amended to read as follows: 98
6. Administrative Decisions: The planning director or designee shall approve, 99
conditionally approve, or deny the application for a certificate of appropriateness based 100
upon written findings of fact. The decision of the planning director or designee shall 101
become effective upon issuance of the certificate of appropriateness or of the findings 102
and order in the case of an administrative denial. 103
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SECTION 6. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.34.020.L.3.c. That Subsection 105
21A.34.020.L.3.c of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Overlay Districts: H Historic Preservation 106
Overlay District: Economic Hardship Determination: Procedure for Determination of Economic 107
Hardship) shall be, and hereby is amended to read as follows: 108
c. Finding of Economic Hardship: If after reviewing all of the evidence presented by 109
the applicant and the advice/testimony of the planning director’s appointed 110
qualified expert, and if the historic landmark commission finds that the applicant 111
has presented sufficient information supporting a determination of economic 112
hardship, then the historic landmark commission shall approve the demolition. In 113
order to show that all beneficial or economically viable use cannot be obtained, the 114
historic landmark commission must find that all of the following are met: 115
(1) The contributing principal building or landmark site cannot be economically 116
used or rented at a reasonable rate of return in its present condition or if 117
rehabilitated; 118
(2) The contributing principal building or landmark site cannot be put to any 119
reasonable beneficial use in its present condition, or if rehabilitated; and 120
(3) Bona fide efforts during the previous year to sell or lease the contributing 121
principal building or landmark site at a reasonable price have been 122
unsuccessful.; and 123
(4) The hardship is not a mere reduction in economic value of the property, is not 124
caused by the owner’s financial ability to rehabilitate a property, is not caused 125
by the owner’s lack of due diligence to rehabilitate a property, or by any other 126
self-imposed condition, such as demolition by neglect, intentional 127
destabilization of the structure or a violation outlined in 21A.34.020.N.3. 128
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SECTION 7. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.34.020.M. That Subsection 130
21A.34.020.M of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Overlay Districts: H Historic Preservation 131
Overlay District) shall be, and hereby is amended to read as follows: 132
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M. Reconstruction of a Carriage House on a Landmark Site: 133
1. Applicability: The reconstruction of a historic carriage house is allowed if the 134
following criteria are satisfied: 135
a. Reconstruction after demolition without a certificate of appropriateness: If a 136
landmark site or contributing structure is demolished without a certificate of 137
appropriateness, an application for reconstruction will be considered in 138
accordance with the provisions of this Subsection. 139
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b. Reconstruction of a carriage house on a landmark site: An application for the 141
reconstruction of a historic carriage house is allowed subject to the provision of 142
this Subsection and if the following criteria are satisfied: 143
a.(1) The carriage house is located on property and address are a landmark site. 144
For the purpose of this section, any site that has been further subdivided since 145
the construction of the last principal building on the site shall be considered 146
part of the landmark site. 147
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b.(2) Documentation has been provided that indicates a carriage house associated 149
with the historic period of the landmark site existed on the site. 150
Documentation may include any property related record, prior survey, 151
photographs, site plans, or similar records. It is the responsibility of the 152
applicant to provide the necessary documentation and justification for the 153
proposed dimensions and details of the carriage house that is proposed to be 154
reconstructed. Documentation shall provide sufficient detail to estimate the 155
approximate details of the carriage house., including: 156
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(1) The approximate location of the carriage house on the site and estimated 158
setbacks; 159
(2) The approximate footprint shape and size; 160
(3) The approximate shape, slope, and details of the roof of the structure proposed 161
to be reconstructed; 162
(4) The approximate height of the structure in feet, based on the scale of existing 163
buildings or structures that are also visible in historic documentation or the 164
dimensions of the historic building materials, if available. The approximate 165
height shall include wall height and roof height; and 166
(5) The location, arrangement, size, and details of any window or door, including 167
carriage entries. 168
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2. Application Requirements: An application to reconstruct a historic carriage house 170
shall be considered an application for new construction and include all the application 171
requirements for new construction in this section and documentation requirements in 172
Subsection 1.b above. Modifications authorized: The following modifications are 173
authorized for reconstruction in accordance with this Subsection: 174
a. Density: The qualifying provisions for density found in the minimum lot area and 175
lot width tables of the zoning district do not apply to the proposed reconstruction, 176
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and in the RMF-30 zoning district, the minimum lot size per dwelling unit does 177
not apply. 178
b. Multiple buildings on a single parcel: If the reconstruction results in multiple 179
buildings on a single parcel, the buildings are allowed without each building 180
having street frontage. 181
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3. Compliance with additional codes: An application for reconstruction shall comply 183
with all applicable codes, regulations and engineering standards that have been 184
adopted by the State of Utah or the city. 185
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4. Approval Standards: In considering an application for a certificate of appropriateness 187
involving reconstruction, the historic landmark commission shall grant the certificate 188
if it finds the project complies with all of the following standards An application to 189
reconstruct a historic carriage house shall be subject to the following standards. An 190
application shall be approved if the following standards are complied with: 191
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a. Reconstruction shall only be used to depicts only vanished or non-surviving 193
portion of a property when documentary and physical evidence is available to 194
permit accurate reconstruction with minimal conjecture;. 195
b. Reconstruction will and includes measures to preserve any remaining historic 196
materials, features, and spatial relationships;. 197
c.b. The Rreconstruction will be based on the is an accurate duplication of historic 198
features and elements substantiated by documentary or physical evidence. When 199
evidence is not available, rather than on conjectural designs may be allowed if 200
supported by research of similar structures of the same era as the original 201
structure. or the availability of different features from other historic properties. A 202
reconstructed property will re-create the appearance of the non-surviving historic 203
property in materials, design, color, and texture; 204
dc. Proposed dDesigns that were never executed historically will not be 205
allowed.constructed or considered; 206
d. The proposed structure replicates the size, shape, location, orientation, material and 207
design of the original structure. 208
e. The proposed structure replicates character defining features and details of the 209
original structure. 210
e. The proposed carriage house shall match the footprint size, shape, and location on 211
the property based on the historic documentation provided by the applicant. 212
Historic documentation shall be used to approximate the location and dimensions 213
of the structure; 214
f. The the carriage house shall match the approximate roof shape of the original 215
carriage house; 216
g. The entryways into the house, including reconstructed entryways for carriages, 217
shall approximately match historic entryways commonly found on carriage 218
houses from the same era as the original carriage house; and 219
h. Impacts to adjacent properties, including but not limited to solar access, noise, light 220
trespass, refuse storage, and mechanical equipment locations, parking locations, 221
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have been mitigate or can be mitigated through the site layout, appropriate 222
buffering, and/or building designs. 223
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4. Complying With Additional Codes: An application approved under this section shall 225
comply with all applicable codes, regulations and engineering standards that have 226
been adopted by the State of Utah or the city. 227
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5. Additional requirements for reconstruction of a carriage house on a landmark site: 229
a. Subdivision Prohibited: Further subdivision of the property after approval of a 230
reconstruction under this section is prohibited and portions of Section 21A.38.060 231
authorizing subdivisions of lots with more than two principal buildings shall not 232
be applicable. 233
b. Updated Intensive Level Survey: If reconstruction is approved, the applicant shall 234
provide the city an updated intensive level survey to document the changes to the 235
landmark site. 236
c. 6.Allowed Uses After Reconstruction: The following uses shall be allowed in a 237
reconstructed carriage house approved under this section: 238
a(1). A single-family dwelling, regardless of lot area, lot width or street 239
frontage; 240
b(2). Any accessory use authorized in the underlying zoning district or 241
overlay district; or 242
c(3). Accessory dwelling units subject to the applicable regulations for 243
accessory dwelling units. 244
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6. Restrictive covenant for reconstruction after demolition: In the case of a reconstruction after 246
demolition without a certificate of appropriateness, the property owner shall enter into a 247
legally binding restrictive covenant, the form of which shall be approved by the city 248
attorney. The restrictive covenant shall be recorded on the property with the Salt Lake 249
County Recorder prior to issuance of a certificate of appropriateness for the reconstruction 250
required pursuant to 21A.34.020.N.3. The restrictive covenant shall, without limitation: 251
a. Acknowledge the required reconstruction; 252
b. Prohibit demolition and major alterations to the reconstructed structure for 25 253
years from the date of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, transferrable to 254
any future property owner; 255
c. Identify the nature of the approval and any conditions thereof; 256
d. Require compliance with all applicable regulations; and 257
e. Identify the city’s remedies for any violation of the covenant. 258
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7. Historic status for reconstruction after demolition: Following reconstruction, the 260
zoning administrator shall issue a historic status determination in accordance with 261
section 21A.34.020.D, indicating the historic status of the reconstructed structure as 262
noncontributing. Any future historic resource survey or status determination shall 263
evaluate the reconstructed structure on its own merits. Modifications Authorized: In 264
considering a proposal to reconstruct a carriage house under this section, the historic 265
landmark commission may modify the following standards upon finding that the 266
proposal complies with the applicable standards: 267
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a. Minimum lot area when the lot does not contain the minimum lot area for an 269
additional dwelling unit; 270
b. Modifications to Sections 21A.36.010 and 21A.36.020; and 271
c. Any authorized modification identified in Section 21A.06.050. 272
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8. Updated Intensive Level Survey Required: If approved, the applicant shall provide 274
the city and updated intensive level survey to document the changes to the site. 275
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SECTION 8. Enacting the text of Subsection 21A.34.020.N. That a new Subsection 277
21A.34.020.N of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Overlay Districts: H Historic Preservation 278
Overlay District) is hereby enacted as follows: 279
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N. Enforcement: Any property on which work is done without a certificate of appropriateness 281
when such is required under 21A.34.020, shall be subject to the enforcement process 282
established in Section 21A.20. As applicable, the city shall have the following additional 283
remedies as set forth below: 284
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1. Any work done in violation of this chapter, and which does not comply with or 286
cannot be made to comply with the standards of this chapter shall be undone. The 287
structure or site shall be restored to its condition prior to such unlawful alteration to 288
the greatest extent possible without further damage. 289
2. A request for historic status determination as outlined in 21A.34.020.D to change 290
the status from contributing to noncontributing based on work done without a 291
certificate of appropriateness shall be rejected. 292
3. In the case of demolition of a contributing principal structure or local landmark site 293
without a certificate of appropriateness, a certificate of noncompliance will be 294
issued and recorded against the property prohibiting redevelopment for 25 years 295
unless the proposed redevelopment is for reconstruction as permitted by 296
21A.34.020.M. 297
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SECTION 9. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.38.040.H.5. That Subsection 299
21A.38.040.H.5 of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Nonconforming Uses and Noncomplying 300
Structures: Nonconforming Uses: Modifications to Nonconforming Uses) shall be, and hereby is 301
amended to read as follows: 302
5. Deterioration Oor Destruction Oof Structure Wwith Aa Nonconforming Use: 303
Restoration of a deteriorated, damaged or destroyed structure and continuance of a 304
nonconforming use shall be subject to the following: 305
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a. If a building or structure that contains a nonconforming use is allowed to 306
deteriorate to a condition that the structure is rendered uninhabitable as 307
determined by the building official and is not repaired or restored within one year 308
after written notice to the property owner that the structure is uninhabitable, the 309
nonconforming use will cease to be legal. 310
b. If a building or structure that contains a nonconforming use is voluntarily razed, 311
or is required by law to be razed, the nonconforming use shall not be resumed. 312
c. If a property owner has voluntarily demolished seventy five percent (75%) or 313
more of the perimeter wall length and area dimensions of the exterior walls and/or 314
total floor area of a structure, the structure shall not be restored. 315
d. A nonconforming use may be restored when reconstruction is approved according 316
to the provisions of 21A.34.020.M.1.a. 317
d. e. If a building or structure that contains a nonconforming use is involuntarily 318
destroyed in whole or in part due to fire or other calamity and the structure or use 319
has not been abandoned, the nonconforming use may be resumed and the building 320
or structure may be restored to the condition prior to the destruction, provided 321
such work is reasonably pursued in a time frame determined by the building 322
official after such calamity. 323
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SECTION 10. Amending the text of Subsection 21A.38.050.G. That Subsection 325
21A.38.040.G of the Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Nonconforming Uses and Noncomplying 326
Structures: Noncomplying Structures) shall be, and hereby is amended to read as follows: 327
G. Deterioration, Damage Oor Destruction Oof Noncomplying Structure: Restoration of a 328
deteriorated, damaged or destroyed noncomplying structure shall be subject to the 329
following: 330
1. If a noncomplying structure is allowed to deteriorate to a condition that the structure 331
is rendered uninhabitable as determined by the building official and is not repaired or 332
restored within one year after written notice to the property owner that the structure is 333
uninhabitable, the noncomplying structure status will be lost and requires either 334
complete demolition or compliance with the standards of the zoning district in which 335
the structure is located. 336
2. If a property owner or authorized representative voluntarily demolishes a 337
noncomplying structure or the noncomplying structure is required by law to be razed, 338
the structure shall not be restored unless it is restored to comply with the regulations 339
of the zone in which it is located. Demolition of a noncomplying structure includes 340
any act or process that destroys or removes seventy five percent (75%) or more of the 341
perimeter wall length and area dimensions of exterior walls and/or total floor area of a 342
structure. 343
3. A noncomplying structure may be restored when reconstruction is approved 344
according to the provisions of 21A.34.020.M.1.a. 345
3. 4. If a noncomplying structure is involuntarily destroyed in whole or in part due to fire 346
or other calamity and the structure or use has not been abandoned, the structure may 347
be restored to its original condition with respect to building footprint, setback, height 348
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and other noncomplying dimensional standards of the zoning district in which the 349
structure is located, provided such work is started within one year, unless a longer 350
time frame is approved by the building official, after such calamity. 351
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SECTION 11. Amending the text of Section 21A.62.040. That Section 21A.62.040 of the 354
Salt Lake City Code (Zoning: Definitions: Definitions of Terms) shall be and hereby is amended 355
to add the following definitions, which shall be inserted in alphabetical order and shall read as 356
follows: 357
RECONSTRUCTION (AS IT APPLIES TO PROPERTIES WITHIN THE H HISTORIC 358
PRESERVATION OVERLAY DISTRICT): The act or process of depicting, by means of new 359
construction, the form, features, and detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, 360
structure, or object for the purpose of replicating its appearance at a specific period of time and 361
in its historic location. 362
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SECTION 12. Adopting a “Reconstruction” fee in the Consolidated Fee Schedule. That 364
the section of the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule titled, “Zoning Fees: Historic 365
Landmarks Commission Review (Application)” shall be, and hereby is amended to add a new 366
“Reconstruction” fee, which shall read as follows: 367
Service Fee Additional Information Section
Reconstruction $2,982 See also fee for required public notices (21A.10.010 E) 21A.34.020
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SECTION 13. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective on the date of its 370
first publication. 371
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Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this ______ day of ______________, 373
2024. 374
______________________________ 375
CHAIRPERSON 376
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ATTEST AND COUNTERSIGN: 377
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______________________________ 379
CITY RECORDER 380
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Transmitted to Mayor on _______________________. 382
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Mayor’s Action: _______Approved. _______Vetoed. 385
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______________________________ 387
MAYOR 388
______________________________ 389
CITY RECORDER 390
(SEAL) 391
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Bill No. ________ of 2024. 393
Published: ______________. 394
Ordinance for Work Without a COAv2 395