Transmittal - 4/5/2023ERIN MENDENHALL DEPARTMENT of COMMUNITY
Mayor and NEIGHBORHOODS
Blake Thomas
Director
SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
451 SOUTH STATE STREET, ROOM 404 WWW.SLC.GOV
P.O. BOX 145486, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84114-5486 TEL 801.535.6230 FAX 801.535.6005
CITY COUNCIL TRANSMITTAL
________________________ Date Received: _________________
Lisa Shaffer, Chief Administrative Officer Date sent to Council: _________________
______________________________________________________________________________
TO: Salt Lake City Council DATE: April 5, 2023
Darin Mano, Chair
FROM: Blake Thomas, Director, Department of Community & Neighborhoods
__________________________
SUBJECT: PLNPCM2021-00190 Salt Lake School District Signs
STAFF CONTACT: Meagan Booth, Principal Planner
meagan.booth@slcgov.com or 801-535-7213
DOCUMENT TYPE: Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council adopt the changes to the Sign Ordinance to
allow pole signs on public and private school property as recommended by the Planning
Commission.
BUDGET IMPACT: None
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: Paul Schulte with the Salt Lake School District proposed a
petition to amend the Sign Ordinance to allow pole signs on school property. This change does not
affect any other sign type or land use. The amendment permits the size and height of the sign to
be regulated depending on the type of street it is situated on. The signs would still need to adhere
to basic construction regulations and couldn't be used for off-premise advertising. More specific
information regarding the petition can be found in the Planning Commission Staff Report. The
Planning Commission considered the request at a public hearing and sent a positive
recommendation to the City Council based on staff's proposed zoning text.
Lisa Shaffer (Apr 5, 2023 13:13 MDT)04/05/2023
04/05/2023
PUBLIC PROCESS:
Community Council Notice: A notice of application was sent to all recognized community
organizations on November 15, 2022, per City Code Chapter 2.60 with a link to the online open
house webpage. The recognized organizations were given 45 days to respond with any concerns
or to request staff to meet with them and discuss the proposed zoning amendment. Staff and the
applicant attended the Sugar House Community Council Meeting on December 12th. The Sugar
House Community Council and the Glendale Community Council sent letters of support for the
amendment. The 45-day public engagement period ended on December 30, 2022.
Public Open House: An online open house was held from November 15, 2022, to December 30,
2022. One emailed comment was submitted to the Planning Division. This comment has been
included as an exhibit.
Planning Commission Meeting: The Planning Commission held a public hearing on February
8, 2023. The Planning Commission provided a positive recommendation to City Council on the
proposed amendment.
Planning Commission (PC) Records:
a)PC Agenda for February 8, 2023 (Click to Access)
b)PC Minutes for February 8, 2023 (Click to Access)
c)PC Staff Report for February 8, 2023 (Click to Access
EXHIBITS:
1)Project Chronology
2)Notice of City Council Public Hearing
3)Original Petition
4)Public Comment
SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. _____ of 2023
(Amending the zoning text of Section 21A.46.052 of the Salt Lake City Code
pertaining to pole signs on school property)
An ordinance amending the text of Section 21A.46.052 of the Salt Lake City Code
pertaining to pole signs on school property pursuant to Petition No. PLNPCM2021-00190.
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2021, Paul Schulte on behalf of the Salt Lake City School
District (“Applicant”) submitted an application to amend the text of the Section 21A.46.052 to
allow freestanding pole signs on school premises pursuant to Petition No. PLNPCM2021-00190;
and
WHEREAS the Applicant sought to have the text modified consistent with Salt Lake City
master plans; and
WHEREAS, on February 8, 2023, the Salt Lake City Planning Commission (“Planning
Commission”) held a public hearing regarding the Applicant’s petition; and
WHEREAS, at its February 8, 2023, meeting, the planning commission voted in favor of
forwarding a positive recommendation to the Salt Lake City Council (“City Council”) on said
application; and
WHEREAS, after a public hearing on this matter the City Council has determined that
adopting this ordinance is in the city’s best interests.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. Amending the Zoning Text. That Subsection 21A.46.052 of the Salt Lake
City Code (Signs Exempt from Specific Criteria Except Fees and Permits), shall be and hereby is
amended to read as follows:
21A.46.052: SIGNS EXEMPT FROM SPECIFIC CRITERIA EXCEPT FEES AND
PERMITS:
A. Signs within open-air malls, stadiums, or other enclosed spaces that do not have a roof but
are otherwise physically confined and separated from the public street right-of-way are
required to obtain sign permits and pay fees to ensure public safety and compliance with the
City’s Building Code. Such signs are subject to Sign Ordinance regulations unless
a sign master plan agreement was specifically considered as part of a planned development as
outlined in Chapter 21A.55 of this title or was specifically authorized through the design
review process as outlined in Chapter 21A.59 of this title. The sign master plan agreement
shall only be authorized for signage within the open-air mall or stadium that is not oriented to
the public street. Signage oriented to a public street or to a surface parking lot is specifically
not exempt from Sign Ordinance requirements and not subject to modification through
a sign master plan agreement.
B. Pole Signs on School Property: Pole signs on property used for K-12 public school or K-12
private school are allowed regardless of the zoning district. Pole signs on K-12 public school
or K-12 private school property are permitted provided such signs comply with the following
requirements:
1. The maximum number of signs permitted is one pole sign;
2. The maximum height of a freestanding pole sign is 15 feet, except that pole signs on the
property along a collector or arterial street may be a maximum height of 25 feet;
3. There is no minimum setback requirement; however, all portions of the sign must be
located on school property. No portion of the sign may overhang onto the public right-of-
way
4. The sign will be allowed to have a maximum of three sign faces. For pole signs located
on school properties, the sign face is the total sign area of each side of the sign. A sign
face may include multiple separate sign panels;
5. The total combined sign face areas of a pole sign shall not exceed 180 square feet, except
that pole signs on the property along a collector or arterial street may have a maximum
total combined sign face area of 540 square feet;
6. No sign may be used as an off premises sign; and
7. The pole sign is subject to all other requirements as stated in this chapter and all
applicable zoning overlay requirements.
SECTION 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective on the date of its
first publication.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this ______ day of ______________,
2023.
______________________________
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST AND COUNTERSIGN:
______________________________
CITY RECORDER
Transmitted to Mayor on _______________________.
Mayor’s Action: _______Approved. _______Vetoed.
______________________________
MAYOR
______________________________
CITY RECORDER
(SEAL)
Bill No. ________ of 2023.
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Date:__________________________________
By: ___________________________________
Paul Nielson, Senior City Attorney
March 21, 2023
SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. _____ of 2023
(Amending the zoning text of Section 21A.46.052 of the Salt Lake City Code
pertaining to pole signs on school property)
An ordinance amending the text of Section 21A.46.052 of the Salt Lake City Code
pertaining to pole signs on school property pursuant to Petition No. PLNPCM2021-00190.
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2021, Paul Schulte on behalf of the Salt Lake City School
District (“Applicant”) submitted an application to amend the text of the Section 21A.46.052 to
allow freestanding pole signs on school premises pursuant to Petition No. PLNPCM2021-00190;
and
WHEREAS the Applicant sought to have the text modified consistent with Salt Lake City
master plans; and
WHEREAS, on February 8, 2023, the Salt Lake City Planning Commission (“Planning
Commission”) held a public hearing regarding the Applicant’s petition; and
WHEREAS, at its February 8, 2023, meeting, the planning commission voted in favor of
forwarding a positive recommendation to the Salt Lake City Council (“City Council”) on said
application; and
WHEREAS, after a public hearing on this matter the City Council has determined that
adopting this ordinance is in the city’s best interests.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. Amending the Zoning Text. That Subsection 21A.46.052 of the Salt Lake
City Code (Signs Exempt from Specific Criteria Except Fees and Permits), shall be and hereby is
amended to read as follows:
21A.46.052: SIGNS EXEMPT FROM SPECIFIC CRITERIA EXCEPT FEES AND
PERMITS:
A. Signs within open-air malls, stadiums, or other enclosed spaces that do not have a roof but
are otherwise physically confined and separated from the public street right-of-way are
required to obtain sign permits and pay fees to ensure public safety and compliance with the
City’s Building Code. Such signs are subject to Sign Ordinance regulations unless
a sign master plan agreement was specifically considered as part of a planned development as
outlined in cChapter 21A.55 of this title or was specifically authorized through the design
review process as outlined in cChapter 21A.59 of this title. The sign master plan agreement
shall only be authorized for signage within the open-air mall or stadium that is not oriented to
the public street. Signage oriented to a public street or to a surface parking lot is specifically
not exempt from Sign Ordinance requirements and not subject to modification through
a sign master plan agreement.
B. Pole Signs on School Property: Pole signs on property used for K-12 public school or K-12
private school are allowed regardless of the zoning district. Pole signs on K-12 public school
or K-12 private school property are permitted provided such signs comply with the following
requirements:
1. The maximum number of signs permitted is one pole sign;
2. The maximum height of a freestanding pole sign is 15 feet, except that pole signs on the
property along a collector or arterial street may be a maximum height of 25 feet;
3. There is no minimum setback requirement; however, all portions of the sign must be
located on school property. No portion of the sign may overhang onto the public right-of-
way
4. The sign will be allowed to have a maximum of three sign faces. For pole signs located
on school properties, the sign face is the total sign area of each side of the sign. A sign
face may include multiple separate sign panels;
5. The total combined sign face areas of a pole sign shall not exceed 180 square feet, except
that pole signs on the property along a collector or arterial street may have a maximum
total combined sign face area of 540 square feet;
6. No sign may be used as an off premises sign; and
7. The pole sign is subject to all other requirements as stated in this chapter and all
applicable zoning overlay requirements.
SECTION 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective on the date of its
first publication.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this ______ day of ______________,
2023.
______________________________
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST AND COUNTERSIGN:
______________________________
CITY RECORDER
Transmitted to Mayor on _______________________.
Mayor’s Action: _______Approved. _______Vetoed.
______________________________
MAYOR
______________________________
CITY RECORDER
(SEAL)
Bill No. ________ of 2023.
1. CHRONOLOGY
ERIN MENDENHALL DEPARTMENT of COMMUNITY
Mayor and NEIGHBORHOODS
Blake Thomas
Director
PROJECT CHRONOLOGY
Petition: PLNPCM2021-00190
March 3, 2021 Application Accepted
October 26, 2022 Petition assigned to Meagan Booth, Principal Planner
November 15, 2022 Petition was reviewed internally, and staff provided
comments to the applicant.
November 16, 2022 Notice mailed to all Community Councils
November 16, 2022 Application posted for the online open house.
January 26, 2023 Planning Commission agenda posted to the website and
emailed to the listserv.
February 3, 2023 Staff report posted to Planning’s website.
February 8, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting and Public Hearing: A
positive recommendation was forwarded to City Council.
2. NOTICE OF CITY
COUNCIL PUBLIC
HEARING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Salt Lake City Council is considering Petition PLNPCM2021-00190, a request by Paul
Schulte representing the Salt Lake City School District for an amendment to the Salt Lake City
Zoning Ordinance to allow pole signs on school properties. Public and private schools are
located in various zoning districts around the city, and not all of the zoning districts permit
freestanding pole signs. The signs are used to educate the community about activities at the
school. The proposal would amend Chapter 21A.46of the Salt Lake City Zoning Ordinance.
As part of their study, the City Council is holding an advertised public hearing to receive
comments regarding the petition. During this hearing, anyone desiring to address the City
Council concerning this issue will be given an opportunity to speak. The hearing will be held:
DATE:
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Room 315
City & County Building
451 South State Street
Salt Lake City, Utah
If you have any questions relating to this proposal or would like to review the file, please call
Meagan Booth at 801-535-7213 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday or via e-mail at meagan.booth@slcgov.com
The City & County Building is an accessible facility. People with disabilities may make requests
for reasonable accommodation, which may include alternate formats, interpreters, and other
auxiliary aids and services. Please make requests at least two business days in advance. To
make a request, please contact the City Council Office at council.comments@slcgov.com , 801-
535-7600, or relay service 711.
3. ORIGINAL
PETITION
Updated 11/20/2020
Zoning Amendment
Amend the text of the Zoning Ordinance Amend the Zoning Map
OFFICE USE ONLY
Received By: Date Received: Project #:
Name or Section/s of Zoning Amendment:
PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
Address of Subject Property (or Area):
Name of Applicant: Phone:
Address of Applicant:
E-mail of Applicant:Cell/Fax:
Applicant’s Interest in Subject Property:
Owner Contractor Architect Other:
Name of Property Owner (if different from applicant):
E-mail of Property Owner:Phone:
Please note that additional information may be required by the project planner to ensure adequate
information is provided for staff analysis. All information required for staff analysis will be copied and
made public, including professional architectural or engineering drawings, for the purposes of public
review by any interested party.
AVAILABLE CONSULTATION
If you have any questions regarding the requirements of this application, please contact Salt Lake City
Planning Counter at zoning@slcgov.com prior to submitting the application.
REQUIRED FEE
Map Amendment: filing fee of $1,058 plus $121 per acre in excess of one acre
Text Amendment: filing fee of $1,058, plus fees for newspaper notice.
Plus, additional fee for mailed public notices. Noticing fees will be assessed after the application is
submitted.
SIGNATURE
If applicable, a notarized statement of consent authorizing applicant to act as an agent will be required.
Signature of Owner or Agent: Date:
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Paul Schulte 801-974-8372
Paul.Schulte@slcschools.org
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All Salt Lake City School District schools
995 West Beardsley Place
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Board of Education of Salt Lake City
Updated 11/20/2020
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SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
1.Project Description (please electronically attach additional sheets. See Section 21A.50 for the
Amendments ordinance.)
A statement declaring the purpose for the amendment.
A description of the proposed use of the property being rezoned.
List the reasons why the present zoning may not be appropriate for the area.
Is the request amending the Zoning Map?
If so, please list the parcel numbers to be changed.
Is the request amending the text of the Zoning Ordinance?
If so, please include language and the reference to the Zoning Ordinance to be changed.
WHERE TO FILE THE COMPLETE APPLICATION
Apply online through the Citizen Access Portal. There is a step-by-step guide to learn how to submit online.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
______ I acknowledge that Salt Lake City requires the items above to be submitted before my application can be processed. I
understand that Planning will not accept my application unless all of the following items are included in the
submittal package.
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Excellence and Equity: every student, every classroom, every day www.slcschools.org
AUXILIARY SERVICES
995 West 2480 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84119
801.974.8367
The Salt Lake City School District would like to request an amendment of the Sign
Zoning Ordinance to allow for pole signs on public and private school
campuses. Regardless of the zoning district, freestanding signs on public and private
school property must comply with the following:
i. The maximum area per sign at 180 square feet per gross sign face.
ii. The maximum size is 540 square feet of the structure
iii. The maximum height of a freestanding sign is 30 feet.
iv. No signs will be allowed to project the project over the property
line.
v. The number of signs permitted is one pole sign, which allows four
sign panels per sign face, one of which may be an electronic
changeable copy sign, and one logo sign. (12 total signs for a
triangular pole).
The Salt Lake City School District recommends this amendment so to maintain essential
communication for neighborhoods.
Name Address
Backman Elementary 601 N 1500 W
Beacon Heights Elementary 1850 S 2500 E
Bonneville Elementary 1145 S 1900 E
Dilworth Elementary 1953 S 2100 E
Edison Elementary 430 South Cheyenne St
Emerson Elementary 1017 East Harrison Ave
Ensign Elementary 775 E 12th Ave
Escalante Elementary 1810 W 900 N
Franklin Elementary 1115 W 300 S
Hawthorne Elementary 1675 S 600 E
Highland Park Elementary 1738 E 2700 S
Indian Hills Elementary 2496 East St Mary Drive
Liberty Elementary 1085 S Roberta St
Mary W. Jackson Elementary 750 W 200 N
Meadowlark Elementary 497 N Morton Dr
M. Lynn Bennion Elementary 429 S 800 E
Mountain View Elementary 1380 S 1340 W
Newman Elementary 1269 N Colorado St
North Star Elementary 1545 N Morton Dr
Parkview Elementary 970 S Emery St
Riley Elementary 1410 S 800 W
Rose Park Elementary 1105 W 1000 N
Uintah Elementary 1571 E 1300 S
Wasatch Elementary 30 R Street
Washington Elementary 420 N 200 W
Whittier Elementary 1600 S 300 E
Nibley Park School 2785 S 800 E
Clayton Middle School 1470 S 1900 E
Glendale Middle School 1430 E Andrew Ave
Hillside Middle School 1825 S Nevada St
Northwest Middle School 1730 W 1700 N
Salt Lake Center for Science Education‐Bryant 40 S 800 E
East High School 840 S 1300 E
Highland High School 2166 S 1700 E
Horizonte Instruction and Training Center 1234 S Main St
Innovations Early College High School 1633 S Edison St
West High School 241 N 300 W
Open Classroom 134 N D Street
Salt Lake Center for Science Education 1400 W Goodwin Ave
Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts 2291 S 2000 E
4. PUBLIC
COMMENTS
From:Turner Bitton
To:Booth, Meagan
Subject:(EXTERNAL) Re: Salt Lake School District Signs Text Amendment Early Notification
Date:Tuesday, December 6, 2022 11:17:30 PM
Hi Meagan,
Thank you for the opportunity to weigh in on this proposal. Please consider this email a letter
of support from the Glendale Neighborhood Council.
Thanks,
Turner C. Bitton (he/him)
Chair, Glendale Neighborhood Council
(801) 564-3860
www.glendaleslc.org
On Nov 15, 2022, at 12:46 PM, Booth, Meagan <Meagan.Booth@slcgov.com>
wrote:
Hello to all the Community Council Chairs,
The purpose of this email is to inform you of a text amendment initiated by the Salt
Lake City School District. This is a city-wide text amendment. As a recognized
community organization, you have 45 days to provide comments on the proposed
petition. The public comment period ends on Friday, December 30, 2022. This project
is also scheduled for an open house, which will be posted online and run until the
Planning Commission Hearing which has not yet been scheduled.
I have attached the following materials for your review:
1.Notice to All Community Council Chairs
2.Application
3.Proposed Text Amendment
Please let me know if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you!
MEAGAN BOOTH
Principal Planner
Planning Division
DEPARTMENT of COMMUNITY and NEIGHBORHOODS
SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
TEL 801-535-7213
EMAIL meagan.booth@slcgov.com
WWW.slc.gov/planning
Disclaimer: The Planning Division strives to give the best customer service possible and to respond
to questions as accurately as possible based upon the information provided. However, answers
given at the counter and/or prior to application are not binding and they are not a substitute for
formal Final Action, which may only occur in response to a complete application to the Planning
Division. Those relying on verbal input or preliminary written feedback do so at their own risk and
do not vest any property with development rights.
Letter to PC SHCC School Signs.doc www.sugarhousecouncil.org Page 1 of 1
December 20, 2022
TO: Salt Lake City Planning Commission
From: Judi Short, Vice Chair and Land Use Chair
Sugar House Community Council
RE: PLNPCM2021-00190 Salt Lake City School District Signs Text Amendment
We have all seen the signs on the various schools around our city. What the school district recently learned was that
none of these signs were legal as far as the Sign Zoning Ordinance. This is an attempt to amend the sign ordinance to
incorporate existing signs, so they become legal, and to give guidance to schools, public and private, when designing new
signs. We put this in our Sugar House Community Council December newsletter (circulation 2500), and on our website
with a comment form for people to tell us what they think.
It was also on the SHCC LUZ agenda December 12. Sugar House Trustees and LUZ Committee members were notified
(another 125) and we did not receive a single comment. Paul Schulte from the SLC School District attended our meeting,
explained what they were trying to do, and answered a few questions. No one had any concerns.
We ask that you approve this amendment.
www.scenicutah.org 5 South 500 West #102 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 801-554-5263
TO: Meagan Booth, Principal Planner – Salt Lake City
FROM: Ralph Becker – Scenic Utah Chair
Kate Kopischke – Scenic Utah Director
DATE: Dec. 29, 2022
SUBJECT: Sign Zoning Ordinance Amendment Request by SLC School District
Scenic Utah appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Salt Lake City School District’s request to
amend the Sign Zoning Ordinance to allow for pole signs on public and private school campuses.
Scenic Utah is a nonprofit organization working to protect the visual qualities of our communities and
landscapes. We advocate for sensible outdoor advertising laws and policies, and we work with towns,
cities, businesses, community groups and individuals on a range of issues related to the impacts of signs
and billboards.
Since launching in 2018, we have received multiple requests from individuals and businesses throughout
Utah for support in opposing the placement of digital and other pole signs in neighborhoods and small
business districts. In each case, the signage was installed with no prior consultation or engagement with
impacted residents and businesses.
One example is Salt Lake Regional Medical Center’s placement in 2020 of four digital signs on each
corner of its property, which encompasses an entire city block in the South Temple historic district.
Nearby residents who contacted Scenic Utah were outraged by the intrusion of flashing light into their
homes, and by sign owners’ failure to consult or notify them prior to the signs going in.
In addition to Salt Lake City, we have received similar complaints and requests for help from residents or
businesses owners in Clearfield, Orem, Salem, Vernal, South Salt Lake, Ogden, St. George, and Millcreek.
Scenic Utah supports the right of any business or organization to advertise goods and services and post
information relevant to the community. And we appreciate the School District’s interest in using
dynamic, digital media to “maintain essential communication for neighborhoods.” Should the City agree
to change its Zoning Sign Ordinance, however, and allow the school district to erect pole signs, we urge
you to consider the following comments and suggestions for minimizing the many potential negative
impacts of digital and other types of signage.
• Sign sizes as indicated in the proposed amendment are far larger than necessary to convey
information to a school community or neighborhood. Should signs be built to the maximum
proposed sizes – 180 square-foot sign face, 540 square foot structure, and 30 feet in height – would
www.scenicutah.org 5 South 500 West #102 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 801-554-5263
be visual intrusions by most community standards, and unnecessarily large for the district’s stated
purpose.
o Limitations that reflect neighborhood character, values, and aesthetics should be
established for size, location, height, brightness, dwell / twirl times, and hours of operation.
o If freestanding signs are necessary, Scenic Utah recommends they be pedestal signs, no
higher than necessary for visibility from nearby roads and sidewalks. In most cases 15 feet is
a reasonable height limit for this purpose. Signs attached to buildings typically are more
aesthetically appropriate and require fewer materials and building / maintenance costs.
o The photograph of the sign depicted your Petition Number PLNCPM2021-00190 document
reflects an appropriate design and good starting point for establishing sign standards on
school campuses.
• Messages should reflect public, school-related information only, and commercial advertising should
be prohibited.
• Schools seeking to place signs on their campuses should be required to undertake an impact
assessment that includes:
o The signs’ likely digital carbon footprint – or amount of additional fossil-fuel generated
electricity that the signs will require.
o Identification of and consultation with neighbors and businesses who may be impacted by
the signage.
o Accurate renderings of the proposed signage that impacted residents and City officials can
review and amend accordingly.
• Permits for new school signs should be issued on a case-by-case basis, subject to outcomes of the
completed assessments and public input from surrounding communities.
We would be happy to discuss these comments and suggestions with the Planning Commission and City,
and to provide any additional input at your request. And we thank you for considering Scenic Utah’s
comments.
Respectfully submitted:
Ralph Becker Kate Kopischke
Chair Director
cc: Community Council Chairs