HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Provided Information - 3/24/2026CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY
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COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL of SALT LAKE CITY
TO:City Council Members
FROM:Kate Werrett, Budget & Policy Analyst
DATE:March 24, 2026
RE: Alley Vacation – East of 519 East Browning Avenue
(PLNPCM2025-00883)
ISSUE AT-A-GLANCE
The Council will be briefed on a proposal to vacate a 188-foot by 16-foot alley segment located between
approximately 1379 South 500 East and 519 E Browning Avenue in City Council District Five.
The proposed vacation area of the alley is impassable, being blocked by a garage and fences. Historical
records show the garage has been encroaching on the alley property since at least 1958. The requested
vacation is for a “paper alley” legally established by a recorded subdivision plat; however, it was never
constructed, improved, or opened for public access.
If approved by the City Council, the alley property would be divided in half and given to the abutting
property owners.
The Planning Commission reviewed this petition at its December 10, 2025 meeting and held a public
hearing. The applicant and a resident at 1378 were present, though neither commented during the public
hearing.
Planning staff recommended and the Planning Commission voted 4-2 to forward a positive
recommendation to the City Council for the proposed alley vacation. One Commissioner who
voted against the proposal felt it did not meet the lack of use standard because the northern segment of the
alley is used by abutting property owners. Another Commissioner who was opposed did not indicate why.
Goal of the briefing: Review the alley closure and determine if the Council supports moving forward
with the proposal.
Item Schedule:
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Aerial image of the subject alley segment outlined in yellow. Properties affected by the proposed vacation are
outlined in red.
Image courtesy of Salt Lake City Planning Division
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There are 18 properties abutting the alley segment as shown in the image above. 13 properties north of the
subject segment are not included in the proposed vacation, as several of these properties use the northern
alley segment for access to their property.
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City Department Review
Attachment G (page 43) of the Planning Commission staff report includes comments from City department
review of the proposal. These are summarized below. Please see the staff report for additional information.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Planning staff identified three key considerations during analysis of this proposal which are found on pages
8-9 of the Planning Commission staff report and summarized below. For the complete analysis, please see
the staff report.
Consideration 1 – Property Owner Consent
City code requires a minimum of 75% of property owners abutting the alley segment being considered for
vacation sign a petition expressing support. There are five properties abutting the subject alley segment
and all five property owners (100%) are supportive, exceeding the minimum requirement.
Consideration 2 – Policy Considerations
Planning staff found the proposed alley vacation satisfies the Lack of Use and Urban Design policy
considerations included in the table below.
Consideration 3 – Community Plan Considerations
Planning staff reviewed how the proposed alley vacation aligns with the Central Community Master Plan
and Plan Salt Lake. Planning found that the Central Community Master Plan notes the goal of improving
interior street circulation patterns. However, Planning staff note that “since this alley has never gone from
Sherman Avenue to Browning Avenue,” it does not decrease/limit existing circulation.
Plan Salt Lake supports connectivity and circulation within neighborhoods. Alleys can help
provide these connections, but the subject alley segment has not been used for at least 67 years and is not
currently usable. Vacating the subject alley section will not infringe on the use of the northern alley
segment.
ANALYSIS OF STANDARDS
Factor Finding
14.52.020 - The City will not consider disposing of its
interest in an alley, in whole or in part, unless it
receives a petition in writing which demonstrates that
the disposition satisfies at least one of the following
policy considerations:
A - Lack of Use- The City’s legal interest in the
property appears of record or is reflected on an
applicable plat; however, it is evident from an on-site
inspection that the alley does not physically exist or
Complies
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has been materially blocked in a way that renders it
unusable as a public right-of-way.
B - Public Safety- The existence of the alley is
substantially contributing to crime, unlawful activity
or unsafe conditions, public health problems, or
blight in the surrounding area.
C - Urban Design- The continuation of the alley does
not serve as a positive urban design element.
D - Community Purpose- The petitioners are
proposing to restrict the general public from use of
the alley in favor of a community use, such as a
neighborhood play area or garden.
Section 14.52.030.B Salt Lake City Code directs the Planning Division to analyze factors in the following
table. Planning staff found the proposed alley meets all eight factors.
Factor Planning Staff Finding
The City Police Department, Fire Department,
Transportation Division, and all other relevant City
Departments and Divisions have no objection to the
proposed disposition of the property.
Complies
The Engineering Division supports the
alley segment vacation with the
condition that a public and private
utility easement with 24/7 access is
recorded for accessibility.
The petition meets at least one of the policy
considerations stated above.
Complies with Policy Consideration A –
Lack of Use and Policy Consideration C
– Urban Design.
The petition must not deny sole access or required off-
street parking to any adjacent property.
Complies
The petition will not result in any property being
landlocked.
Complies
The disposition of the alley property will not result in a
use which is otherwise contrary to the policies of the
City, including applicable master plans and other
adopted statements of policy which address, but which
are not limited to, mid-block walkways, pedestrian
paths, trails, and alternative transportation uses.
Complies
No opposing abutting property owner intends to build
a garage requiring access from the property, or has
made application for a building permit, or if such a
permit has been issued, construction has been
completed within 12 months of issuance of the
building permit.
Complies
The petition furthers the City preference for disposing
of an entire alley, rather than a small segment of it;
and
Does not comply
Only the southern segment of the alley
is proposed to be vacated, the northern
segment which is used as an alley for
residential purposes.
The alley is optional for actual or potential rear access
to residences or for accessory uses.
Complies
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PROJECT CHRONOLOGY
September 3, 2025 – Petition submitted to Salt Lake City Planning Division.
September 8, 2025 – Petition assigned to Diana Martinez, Senior Planner.
September 9, 2025 –
o Notification sent to the Liberty Wells Community Council.
o 45-day input period begins.
o Property owners and tenants within 300 feet of the alley were provided early notice of the
proposal.
November 28, 2025 –
o Public hearing notice signs were posted on the property.
December 5, 2025 –
o Public hearing notices were posted on the City and State websites, and posted on the
Planning Division listserv.
December 10, 2025 – Planning Commission reviewed the proposal and held a public hearing. The
Commission voted 4-2 to in favor of forwarding a recommendation of approval.
December 11, 2025 – Ordinance requested from Attorney’s Office
February 3, 2026 – Ordinance received from Attorney’s Office.
February 10, 2026 – Transmittal received in City Council Office.
The alley closure process is dictated by Chapter 14.52 Salt Lake City Code which is included below for reference.
14.52.010: DISPOSITION OF CITY'S PROPERTY INTEREST IN ALLEYS:
The City supports the legal disposition of Salt Lake City's real property interests, in whole or in part, with
regard to City owned alleys, subject to the substantive and procedural requirements set forth herein. (Ord.
24-02 § 1, 2002)
14.52.020: POLICY CONSIDERATIONS FOR CLOSURE, VACATION OR ABANDONMENT OF
CITY OWNED ALLEYS:
The City will not consider disposing of its interest in an alley, in whole or in part, unless it receives a
petition in writing which demonstrates that the disposition satisfies at least one of the following policy
considerations:
A. Lack Of Use: The City's legal interest in the property appears of record or is reflected on an applicable
plat; however, it is evident from an on site inspection that the alley does not physically exist or has been
materially blocked in a way that renders it unusable as a public right-of-way;
B. Public Safety: The existence of the alley is substantially contributing to crime, unlawful activity,
unsafe conditions, public health problems, or blight in the surrounding area;
C. Urban Design: The continuation of the alley does not serve as a positive urban design element; or
D. Community Purpose: The petitioners are proposing to restrict the general public from use of the alley
in favor of a community use, such as a neighborhood play area or garden. (Ord. 24-02 § 1, 2002)
14.52.030: PROCESSING PETITIONS:
There will be three (3) phases for processing petitions to dispose of City owned alleys under this section.
Those phases include an administrative determination of completeness; a public hearing, including a
recommendation from the Planning Commission; and a public hearing before the City Council.
A. Administrative Determination Of Completeness: The City administration will determine whether or
not the petition is complete according to the following requirements:
1. The petition must bear the signatures of no less than seventy five percent (75%) of the neighbors
owning property which abuts the subject alley property;
2. The petition must identify which policy considerations discussed above support the petition;
3. The petition must affirm that written notice has been given to all owners of property located in the
block or blocks within which the subject alley property is located;
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4. A signed statement that the applicant has met with and explained the proposal to the appropriate
community organization entitled to receive notice pursuant to title 2, chapter 2.60 of this Code; and
14.52.040: METHOD OF DISPOSITION:
14.52.050: PETITION FOR REVIEW:
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ATTACHMENTS
a)Planning Commission Staff Report
b)Planning Commission Agenda - December 10, 2025
c)Planning Commission Approved Minutes - December 10, 2025
d)December 10, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting Recording (1:11:42)