PLNZAD2021-00215 - 809 S JeffersonApril 7, 2021
CASE# PLNZAD2021-00215
Administrative Interpretation
DECISION AND FINDINGS
REQUEST:
The property owner of 809 S. Jefferson St., Michael Wheeler, is requesting an Administrative
Interpretation regarding the front yard setback requirements in accordance with the Salt Lake
City Zoning Ordinance, Table 21A.27.050.B. The property under review is located at 809 S.
Jefferson St. and is within the FB-UN1 (Form Based Urban Neighborhood) zoning district. The
purpose of the request is to determine which properties along the subject block face are applicable
for the front yard setback averaging for the redevelopment of 809 S. Jefferson Street. The
applicant is requesting that 865 S. Jefferson, which is currently set back approximately 93.5’ from
the front property line, be eliminated from the required averaging.
DECISION:
The Zoning Administrator, based on the language found within Table 21A.27.050.B, which states:
“Equal to average setback of block face, where applicable, otherwise minimum of 10’ and
maximum of 20’” and the purpose statement of the FB-UN1 zoning district, finds that the front
yard averaging for the subject property located at 809 S. Jefferson St. should not include the front
yard of the property located at 865 S. Jefferson St. The other properties located within the subject
block face of Jefferson Street shall be included in the front yard averaging. The front
yard averaging should result in a range of a front yard setback between 10’-20’.
FINDINGS:
Regarding the required front yard for properties located within the FB-UN1 (Form Base Urban
Neighborhood) zoning district, the Salt Lake City Zoning Ordinance Table 21A.27.050.B states:
Equal to the average setback of block face, where applicable, other wise minimum of 10’
and maximum of 20’
This specific language is intended to create a front yard setback that matches the existing urban
development pattern. If there is no development pattern, then the range of 10’-20’ is applicable.
However, the intention was to create an urban development pattern where front yard setbacks
provide a range of depth but none that necessarily exceed 20’. This intent is clarified by the FB-
UN Context Description, found in 21A.27.010.B,
Context Description: The form based districts are intended to be utilized in areas with the
following characteristics:
1.Street, Block, And Access Patterns: A regular pattern of blocks surrounded by a
traditional grid of streets that provide mobility options and connections for
pedestrians, bicyclists, and automobiles. Blocks include sidewalks separated from
vehicle travel lanes by a landscaped park strip. Front yards are landscaped or include
active, outdoor uses.
2.Building Placement And Location: Residential buildings are generally located close
to the sidewalk with a small, transitional, semipublic space, such as a landscaped
front yard, that is consistent along the block face. Buildings along arterials are
located close to the sidewalk with parking to the side or rear of building. (Emphasis
Added)
3.Building Height: Building heights on local streets are relatively low and consistent
with existing building heights with little variation. Buildings located on arterial
streets are generally taller.
4.Mobility: A balance between pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists exist
in the area, and residents are well connected to other parts of the city.
The purpose of the FB-UN districts is to create and enable development of urban neighborhoods
with an urban development pattern. The inclusion of 865 S. Jefferson into the front yard setback
averaging would not meet the intention of the front yard setback averaging language or the
purpose statement of the FB-UN districts. Thus, 865 S. Jefferson does not need to be included as
part of the block face for the averaging calculation for the front yard setback for the redevelopment
of 809 S. Jefferson.
APPEAL PROCESS:
An applicant or any other person or entity adversely affected by a decision administering or
interpreting this Title may appeal to the Appeals Hearing Officer. Notice of appeal shall be filed
within ten (10) days of the administrative decision. The appeal shall be filed with the Planning
Division and shall specify the decision appealed and the reasons the appellant claims the decision
to be in error. Applications for appeals are located on the Planning Division website at
http://www.slcgov.com/planning/planning-applications along with information about the
applicable fee. Appeals may be filed in person at the Planning Counter, 451 South State Street,
Room 215 or by mail at Planning Counter PO BOX 145471, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-5471.
NOTICE:
Please be advised that a determination finding a particular use to be a permitted use or a
conditional use shall not authorize the establishment of such use nor the development,
construction, reconstruction, alteration, or moving of any building or structure. It shall merely
authorize the preparation, filing, and processing of applications for any approvals and permits
that may be required by the codes and ordinances of the City including, but not limited to, a zoning
certificate, a building permit, and a certificate of occupancy, subdivision approval, and a site plan
approval.
Dated this 7th day of April, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Kelsey Lindquist
Senior Planner
Salt Lake City Planning Division
CC: Nick Norris, Planning Director
Joel Paterson, Zoning Administrator
Wayne Mills, Planning Manager
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