Council Provided Information - 8/15/2023CITY 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:August 15, 2023
RE: Sight Distance Triangle Text Amendment
PLNPCM2023-00054
BRIEFING UPDATE
One person spoke at the August 8, 2023 public hearing and was supportive of the proposal. She suggested
the Council consider additional public outreach so people have a better understanding of the ordinance.
The Council closed the public hearing and deferred action to a future Council meeting.
The following information was provided for previous Council meetings. It is included
again for background purposes.
BRIEFING UPDATE
At the July 18, 2023 briefing Council Members expressed general support for the proposed text
amendment. A question was raised about whether the sight distance triangle requirements could be limited
to heights between 30 inches and 10 feet to allow for trees in the triangle area, provided they are trimmed
below 10 feet. Another suggestion was to permit mirrors, lights, or alarms where buildings meet sidewalks
to alert pedestrians of oncoming vehicles rather than requiring chamfers on building corners.
Planning staff followed up with proposed language that would allow alternative design solutions to provide
similar visual clearance and mitigate safety concerns. A legislative draft of the ordinance is attached that
includes the following proposed change as well as additional minor suggested changes.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, all structures shall comply with the Sight
Distance Triangle Requirements as defined and illustrated in Chapter 21A.62 of this title. The
Item Schedule:
Briefing: July 18, 2023
Set Date: July 18, 2023
Public Hearing: August 8, 2023
Potential Action: August 15, 2023
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planning director, in consultation with the transportation director, may approve alternative
design solutions that result in similar visual clearance and effectively mitigate safety concerns.
The Off-Street Parking Manual was adopted by the Council with the parking ordinance and changes to the
manual can be made administratively. If the proposed ordinance is adopted by the Council, Planning staff
proposes amendments to the manual as shown in the attached Off-Street Parking Manual section.
The Council will be briefed about a proposal initiated by the Administration to amend the zoning ordinance
related to the sight distance triangle, which is the area at street, alley, and driveway intersections where
views of approaching traffic should not be obstructed. The purpose of sight distance triangles is to allow
drivers, pedestrians, and users of other transportation modes to see each other and stop safely.
Chapter 21A.62.040 of Salt Lake City Code measures sight distance triangles as a triangular area formed
by a diagonal line connecting two points. The code establishes a distance of 30 feet for corner lots and at
the intersection of streets and large truck driveways, and a distance of 10 feet for passenger vehicle and
light truck driveways crossing a sidewalk.
The current code is silent on intersections of alleys and sidewalks and alleys and streets. The proposed
amendment adds these intersections, as they have similar risks. In addition, the proposal adds sight
distance triangle standards to Salt Lake City Code chapters 21A.36.020 applying to principal buildings and
21A.40.050 related to accessory structures respectively. The images below provide a representation of the
proposed changes.
Other minor changes are also proposed in the text amendment. These generally clarify fence regulations
and add driveway distance requirements from a street intersection to all zoning districts. Under the
proposal fences, walls, and hedges on developed properties without a principal structure would be limited
to four feet in the front yard area, and six feet in the rear or side yard areas. Hedges are considered fences
for zoning purposes and are included in the proposed amendment. The current proposal does not include
landscaping and locations of trees. Heights of other plants within the sight distance triangle is included in a
separate text amendment and will be consistent with current standards and the proposed amendment.
Driveways for single- and two-family dwellings would be required to be a minimum of 20 feet from street
corner property lines, and driveways for all other uses would need to be at least 50 feet from street corner
property lines.
The Planning Commission reviewed this proposal at its May 10, 2023 meeting and held a public hearing at
which no one spoke. The Commission voted unanimously to forward a positive recommendation to the City
Council.
Images courtesy of Salt Lake City Planning Division
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Goal of the briefing: Review the proposed text amendment, determine if the Council supports moving
forward with the proposal.
POLICY QUESTION
1. Are Council Members supportive of the proposed text amendment?
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-Adding New Language and Clarifying Existing Language
As discussed above, intersections of alleys with sidewalks and streets are being added as part of the
proposed text amendment. In addition, language restricting principal and accessory buildings is being
added to the for consistency in how the requirement is applied.
Consideration 2-Noncomplying Fences and Structures
Under the proposed amendment, continued use of legally existing noncomplying structures such as fences,
buildings, and driveways would be allowed. They could be altered, expanded, and in some cases, replaced.
The proposed addition of alley intersections with sidewalks and streets would also not impact these
structures. Driveways closer to street intersections than allowed under the proposal would also be allowed
to remain and be repaired.
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Noncomplying structures could be modified provided the changes do not make them more noncompliant.
If a noncomplying structure is voluntarily removed or destroyed, a replacement structure would need to
comply with the then current standards.
Consideration 3-How the proposal helps implement City goals and policies identified in
Plan Salt Lake
Planning staff referenced the transportation and mobility guiding principle in Plan Salt Lake which says in
part “a transportation and mobility network that is safe, accessible, reliable, affordable, and sustainable,
providing real choices and connecting people with places.” The sight distance triangle’s purpose is to
improve safety by providing unobstructed sightlines at intersections of streets, driveways, sidewalks, and
alleys. Incorporating language that includes all types of intersections, transportation modes, and structures
will ensure consistent application of requirements and reduce potential for accidents.
Additionally, Planning found that the proposed amendments support transportation and mobility
initiatives found in Plan Salt Lake, and in particular, Initiatives 5 and 3 which are respectively “Make
walking and cycling viable, safe, and convenient transportation options in all areas of the City” and
“Create a safe and convenient place for people to carry out their daily lives.”
Planning further noted the proposal is in line with guiding principle 1 of Plan Salt Lake “Neighborhoods
that provide a safe environment, opportunity for social interaction, and services needed for the wellbeing
of the community therein.”
Planning staff stated “…the purpose of this proposal is to increase safety for all modes of transportation at
all points of potential conflict.”
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT STANDARDS
Planning staff reviewed the proposed text amendment against the following criteria City Code says the City
Council should consider. Please see Attachment B (pages 10-11) of 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
A proposed text amendment is consistent with the
purposes and provisions of any applicable overlay
zoning districts which may impose additional
standards.
Complies
The extent to which a proposed text amendment
implements the best current, professional practices
of urban planning and design.
Complies
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PROJECT CHRONOLOGY
• January 27, 2023 - Application accepted.
• January 30, 2023 - Petition assigned to Madison Blodgett, Associate Planner.
• October 2022 - Petition reviewed internally, and staff drafted language to support goals of the
February 2023 petition.
• February 15, 2023-Notice mailed to all community councils.
• February 15, 2023-Application posted for the online open house.
• March 20, 2023-Planning staff presented the proposal at the Sugar House Community Council.
• April 27, 2023-Planning Commission agenda posted to the website and emailed to the listserv.
• May 10, 2023-Planning Commission meeting and public hearing. The Planning Commission voted
unanimously to forward a positive recommendation to the City Council.
• May 17, 2023-Ordinance requested from Attorney’s Office.
• May 23, 2023-Planning received signed ordinance from the Attorney’s Office.
• May 30, 2023-Transmittal received in City Council Office.
Salt Lake City // Off-Street Parking Standards Manual 10
Figure 7 // Driveway Slope
2.2 VISUALLY CLEAR SIGHT ZONE AREAS AT
RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAYS16
2.2.1 Bushes, trees, and other types of vegetation as well as walls and fences can
visually block pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars from being seen by drivers entering
the street from driveways. To provide the needed visibility for safety, vegetation
should be kept trimmed within the clear sight zone areas on both sides of
driveways as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.
2.2.2 A clear sight zone area is achieved when vision is not blocked between thirty inches
(30”) and seven feet (7’) above ground within a ten foot (10’) by ten foot (10’) triangle
on both sides of the driveway and between the sidewalk and the street.
2.2.3 A new proposed driveway needs to provide a five foot (5’) clearance in the park
strip between the edge of driveway and edge of obstacle such as trees, poles and
fire hydrants as illustrated in Figure 9.
2.2.4 When permitted by the zoning ordinance, a proposed retaining wall or fence
located in the clear sight zone area as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.
16 From SLC Engineering Standards - Section E2.c2.
Figure 8 // Clear Sight Zone Perspective from Sidewalk
Salt Lake City // Off-Street Parking Standards Manual 11
Figure 9 // Clear Sight Zone Dimensions
2.3 ADDITIONAL PARKING ACCESS STANDARDS17
2.3.1 Access to additional parking shall be provided by either;
A. Widening the approach from the street to match the width of the new
driveway provided all provisions for driveways from 21A.44.060.B.3.c
can be met;
B. A driveway taper from the sidewalk at no less than a forty five degree
(45°) angle with the remnant area in the front yard area landscaped with
a minimum of shrubs and ground cover, provided that this option is not
allowed if the remnant landscaped area is less than forty five (45) square
feet or if curb, gutter and sidewalk are not present.
3. SURFACING STANDARDS
17 Newly proposed section to clarify options for drive approaches to widened driveways.