HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Provided Information - 10/21/2025CITY 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:October 21, 2025
RE: Text Amendment – Utility Installation Exemptions
PLNPCM2024-01352
BRIEFING UPDATE
During the September 2, 2025 briefing Council Members expressed some concerns about impact to historic
districts citing a recent project that generated significant public input. That input resulted in a better
product. Granting administrative authority to approve similar projects could result in less than desirable
outcomes.
Planning staff said public notice for projects would still be required under the proposal. If there was
substantial public input on projects in a historic district, then they could be referred to the Historic
Landmark Commission for review.
Council Members straw polled and were supportive of adding language clarifying exempted government
antennas need to be “critical infrastructure” that “provide utility or public safety services to the public.”
They were also supportive of not allowing antennas in the eco-industrial buffer area.
Council Members held meetings with the Administration to discuss their concerns. The Planning Division
will provide additional information in response to questions raised during the meetings. At the time this
paperwork was submitted, the new information was not yet ready. Once it is sent, the Council will discuss it
at a future work session briefing.
The following information was provided for previous meetings. It is included again for
background purposes.
Item Schedule:
Page | 2
The Council will be briefed about a text amendment initiated by Mayor Mendenhall to clarify utility
installation exemptions found in City code by defining which utilities are included. It also standardizes
language across land use tables.
The commissions each forwarded unanimous recommendations for approval to the City
Council.
Goal of the briefing: Review the proposed text amendment and determine if the Council supports
moving forward with the proposal.
POLICY QUESTION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Planning Division Discretion – the draft ordinance exempts antennas from the zoning code if they
are for “public safety purposes.” Planning recommends changing the antenna description to
government owned “critical infrastructure” and grants the Planning Director authority to
determine if an antenna qualifies for the designation.
Eco-Industrial Buffer Area – Currently, City code does not allow antennas in the Eco-Industrial
Buffer Area in the Northwest Quadrant Overlay. The proposal adds language to the code to specify
this restriction.
Potential Straw Polls
Are Council Members supportive of granting the Planning Director authority to determine if an
antenna qualifies as critical infrastructure?
Are Council Members supportive of adding language to City code specifying antennas are not
allowed in the Eco-Industrial Buffer Area in the Northwest Quadrant Overlay?
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Page | 4
Planning staff identified three key considerations related to the proposal, found on pages 2-4 of the
Planning Commission staff report, and briefly summarized below. For the complete analysis, please see the
Planning staff report.
Consideration 1 – Standardize the footnote in the land use tables referencing 21A.50.050.A
Consideration 2 – Clarifying which utility-based land uses are exempt from City code.
Consideration 3 – Streamlining planning processes for public utility development
Page | 5
ANALYSIS OF STANDARDS
Attachment A (pages 10-11) of the Planning Commission staff report outlines zoning text 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 text 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 text amendment furthers the
specific purpose statements of the zoning ordinance.
Complies
Whether a proposed text amendment is consistent with
the purposes and provisions of any applicable overlay
zoning districts which may impose additional standards.
Not applicable
The extent to which a proposed text amendment
implements best current, professional practices of urban
planning and design.
Complies
The impact that the proposed text amendment may have
on city resources necessary to carry out the provisions
and processes required by this title.
The proposal would
reduce administrative
burden on City staff.
Fewer zoning reviews
would save time and
resources while
maintaining essential
public services.
The impact that the proposed text amendment may have
on other properties that would be subject to the proposal
and properties adjacent to subject properties.
Proposed changes would
affect all properties
equally. Some
exemptions may impact
aesthetics due to a lack
of zoning regulations.
Ensures public services
can expand efficiently
with flexibility.
The community benefits that would result from the
proposed text amendment, as identified in 21A.50.050.
Not applicable.
• November 12, 2024 – Mayor Mendenhall initiated petition.
• November 18, 2024 – Petition deemed complete.
• November 18, 2024 – Petition assigned to David Stuenzi, Associate Planner.
• November 2024-March 2025 – Planning staff drafted language to support goals of the petition.
• December 26, 2024 – Notice of petition sent to all City recognized community organizations.
• December 31, 2024 – Petition posted to the Planning Division’s online open house webpage.
Page | 6
• February 27, 2025 – Planning Commission agenda posted to the website and emailed to the
listserv.
• March 12, 2025 – Planning Commission meeting and public hearing. A positive recommendation
was forwarded to the City Council.
• March 20, 2025 – Historic Landmark Commission agenda posted to the website and emailed to
the listserv.
• April 3, 2025 – Historic Landmark Commission briefing and public hearing. The Commission
voted unanimously to forward a positive recommendation to the City Council.
• April 18, 2025 – Ordinance requested from the Attorney’s Office.
• July 22, 2025 – Ordinance received from the Attorney’s Office.
• August 7, 2025 – Transmittal received in City Council Office.