HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/09/2025 - Pending Minutes
SALT LAKE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
City & County Building
451 South State Street, Room 326
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
A roll is being kept of all who attended the Planning Commission Meeting. The meeting was called to
order at approximately 5:30 p.m. Audio recordings of the Planning Commission meetings are retained for
a period of time. These minutes are a summary of the meeting and not a verbatim transcript. A video
recording of the meeting is available at www.youtube.com/slclivemeetings
Present for the Planning Commission meeting were: Chair Aimee Burrows, Vice Chair Landon Kraczek,
Commissioners Brian Scott, Amy Barry, Mike Christensen, Richard Leverett, and Bree Scheer.
Commissioner McCall Christensen was absent.
Staff members present at the meeting were: Deputy Director Michaela Oktay, Planning Manager Kelsey
Lindquist, Planning Manager Amy Thompson, Planning Manager Krissy Gilmore, Principal Planner
Katilynn Warr, Senior Planner Aaron Barlow, and Office Facilitator Aubrey Clark.
REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
Chair Burrows introduced the new commissioner Richard Leverett. Commissioner Leverett gave a brief
overview of his background.
The Vice-Chair had nothing to report.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR
Planning Manager Kelsey Lindquist reported that the Planning Division has kicked off the update to the
Northwest Community Plan.
OPEN FORUM
No one had points of discussion.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Planned Development and Design Review at Approximately 553 S 500 W - Joe McKay,
representing property owner, is requesting Planned Development and Design Review approval for a
mixed-use development at the above-stated address. The project involves replacing a surface
parking lot with a new building containing ground floor commercial space, tenant amenities, a parking
garage, and 275 residential units in the CG (General Commercial) District.
A. Planned Development: Requesting portions of the parking garage adjacent to 500 W not be
wrapped in a use other than parking. Case Number: PLNPCM2024-01334
B. Design Review: Requesting relief from the following design standards: ground floor use,
ground floor glass, upper floor glass, upper floor stepback, and overhead covers for ground
floor entrances. Case Number: PLNPCM2024-00863
The subject property is located in Council District 2, represented by Alejandro Puy. (Staff contact:
Katilynn Warr at 801-535-6179 or katilynn.warr@slc.gov)
2. Approval of the Meeting Minutes for February 12, 2025
Motion 1
Commissioner Barry motioned to move Planned Development and Design Review at Approximately 553
S 500 W to the regular agenda. Commissioner Kraczek seconded the motion. Commissioner Scheer
recommended moving the item to the end of the agenda. Chair Burrows stated she would place it first on
the agenda since it is an administrative item.
Vote:
• Yes: Scott, Barry, Kraczek, Mike Christensen, Burrows
• Abstained: Leverett
• No: Scheer
The motion passed. The Item was moved to the regular agenda.
Motion 2
Commissioner Barry motioned to approve the meeting minutes. Commissioner Christensen seconded
the motion.
Vote:
• Yes: Scott, Barry, Kraczek, Mike Christensen, Burrows, Scheer
• Abstained: Leverett
REGULAR AGENDA
3. Planned Development and Design Review at Approximately 553 S 500 W - Joe McKay,
representing property owner, is requesting Planned Development and Design Review approval for a
mixed-use development at the above-stated address. The project involves replacing a surface
parking lot with a new building containing ground floor commercial space, tenant amenities, a parking
garage, and 275 residential units in the CG (General Commercial) District.
A. Planned Development: Requesting portions of the parking garage adjacent to 500 W not be
wrapped in a use other than parking. Case Number: PLNPCM2024-01334
B. Design Review: Requesting relief from the following design standards: ground floor use,
ground floor glass, upper floor glass, upper floor stepback, and overhead covers for ground
floor entrances. Case Number: PLNPCM2024-00863
The subject property is located in Council District 2, represented by Alejandro Puy. (Staff contact:
Katilynn Warr at 801-535-6179 or katilynn.warr@slc.gov)
Principal Planner Katilynn Warr reviewed the petition as outlined in the staff report. She stated that
staff recommends approval of the petition.
The applicant Joe McKay shared details of the proposal.
Commissioner Barry asked some clarifying questions regarding the midblock walkway, the Miller
building, and the Casket building.
Chair Burrows opened the public hearing. Seeing that no one wished to speak, she closed the public
hearing.
The Commissioner and applicants discussed:
• Pedestrian engagement
• Expanding the lobby and adding more elevators
• Ground floor activation
• Access to retail from the parking garage
• Parking being concentrated into one building as a condition
Motion 1
Commissioner Barry moved, “Based on the information presented and the discussion I move that the
commission approve these design review and planned development applications as recommended
by staff with the following conditions: 1) Prior to the issuance of a permit for project construction the
applicant shall record a development agreement establishing a midblock walkway that connect 500
W to the existing midblock walkway in the middle of the block by building 3, 2) Final approval of details
for the lighting and hardscape and pedestrian elements of the midblock walkway be designated to
Planning staff to verify compliance with the associated Planned Development and Design Review
standards, 3) Any modifications to the activation of the Miller building must come back to the Planning
Commission.”
Commissioner Mike Christensen seconded the motion.
Commissioner Scheer proposed a friendly amendment to the motion to say any “major” changes to
the exterior of the Miller building must return to the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Barry accepted the friendly amendment.
Vote:
• Yes: Scheer, Leverett, Christensen, Kraczek, Barry, Burrows
• No: Scott
The motion passed.
There was clarifying questions from staff about the motion and direction that there should have been
two motions. Commissioner Barry clarified that the motion was for the Design Review Case Number
PLNPCM2024-00863.
Motion 2
Commissioner Barry moved, “Based in the information presented and the discussion, I move that the
commission approve the Planned Development PLNPCM2024-01334.”
Commissioner Scheer seconded the motion.
Vote:
• Yes: Scott, Scheer, Leverett, Christensen, Kraczek, Barry, Burrows
The motion passed.
4. RMF-35 & RMF-45 Multi-Family Zoning District Merger Text and Map Amendment – Mayor Erin
Mendenhall initiated a petition proposing to merge the RMF-35 (Moderate Density Multi-Family
Residential) District and the RMF-45 (Moderate/High Density Multi-Family Residential) District into a
single RMF-45 (Moderate Density Multifamily) District. This proposal is meant to remove barriers to
housing development and enable the development of compatible infill housing within the City's
moderate-density neighborhoods. The proposed amendments introduce design standards for new
development, reduce lot size requirements, remove lot width minimums, permit multiple primary
structures per lot, and offer a density bonus for preserving existing structures. Related provisions of
Title 21A-Zoning will also be amended as part of this petition. (Staff contact: Aaron Barlow at 801-
535-6182 or aaron.barlow@slc.gov) Case Number: PLNPCM2024-01388
Senior Planner Aaron Barlow reviewed the proposal. Planning Manager Krissy Gilmore reviewed key
topics discussed in community meetings. She also covered changes that were made to the proposal
since the briefing. She stated that staff recommends tabling of the proposal to address suggested
changes.
Chair Burrows opened the public hearing.
Public Hearing
• Ester Hunter – Chair East Central Community Council – Feels that the City needs more naturally
occurring affordable housing. They are in support but want to see it tabled for more time to fine
tune the proposal.
• Jenny Starley – Central City Neighborhood Council Vice Chair – Have concerns that the proposal
would crowd the neighborhoods and want some focus on the setbacks.
• Jim Jenkin – Avenues Community Council – Stated that there were some good things in the
proposal but felt it could hurt the avenues. Would like to see more structure in the proposal.
• Turner Bitton – Glendale Community Council – In favor of the proposal and encouraged the
Commission not to table it.
• Justin Kani – read into the record – wants to see increased setbacks if greater height allowed.
• Daniel Hill – read into the record - Is concerned his home would be torn down.
• Jackson Jones – Supportive of the proposal but asked for a reconsideration of form-based height
restrictions saying the current proposal disincentivizes row houses.
• Ken Kraus – Wants to see upgrades to the City streets.
• Willy Littig – Concerned higher density would conflict with the water issues in the area and wants
to see an individual approach to the proposed zoning.
• Cindy Cromer – Wants to see strategically placed density. Feels the concept is flawed and wants
to see it tabled.
• Brad Haag – Feels the current zoning was a waste of land resources. For the proposal.
• Patricia Brant – Feels the proposal will help developers but not existing homeowners as it will
cause congestion. Against the proposal.
• Kathleen Hill – For the proposal.
• Mary Mauler – Requested the proposal be tabled for more study.
• Greg Bond – Feels the proposal will destroy his privacy and cause shade and lose of use of solar
panels. Against the proposal.
• Eli Wolk – Feels the City needs more affordable housing. For the proposal.
• Julia Miller – Concerned about children’s safety with more density.
• Moheeth – Wants to see more new housing built in Salt Lake.
• Cassie – Wants a case by case study of each block and doesn’t want to be walled in.
• Willam May – read into the record – Felt the area around the UofU campus should be higher
zoned.
Executive Session
The Commission and Staff discussed:
• Compensation for loss of property value
• Whether people will be forced from their homes
• Missing middle housing stock
• RMF-30 zoning
• Transition when the RMF-45 abuts a different zone
• Taking a block by block strategy
• Upzoning some properties to RMF-45 now
• Keeping the two zones separate
• Increasing the side setback in the RMF-45
• Compromise on setbacks for different housing types
Motion
Commissioner Barry moved, “I move that the Planning Commission continued the public hearing to
a later date and table the application until staff brings it back, and direct Planning staff to: 1) continue
their review of properties that may need a separate zone like RMF-30, 2) maintain the proposal as
two different zones, RMF-35 and RMF-45, 3) review existing RMF-35 properties that may be
appropriate to be zoned as RMF-45, 4) continues the direction received during the briefing (on
February 12, 2025).
Commissioner Christensen seconded the motion.
Vote:
• Yes: Scheer, Barry, Kraczek, Christensen, Scott, Leverett, Burrows
The motion passed
A break was called for at 7:58 PM. The meeting resumed at 8:10 PM.
5. Zoning Text Amendment to Modify Residential Buffer Prohibitions – The Planning Commission
initiated a Text Amendment during the November 13, 2024, commission meeting to review the land
uses that are subject to, or should be subject to, the 1,000-foot prohibition from residential zoning
districts. The amendment also includes reviewing whether other land uses should be subject to the
provision, and clarifying how the distance is measured. (Staff Contact: Noah Elmore at 801-535-7971
or noah.elmore@slc.gov) Case Number: PLNPCM2024-01357
Associate Planner Noah Elmore reviewed the proposal. He stated that staff recommends forwarding
a recommendation of approval to City Council.
Chair Burrows opened the public hearing. Seeing that no one wished to speak she closed the public
hearing.
Executive Session:
The Commission discussed:
• Approval of the proposal
• Outdoor theaters
Motion
Commissioner Scheer moved, “Based on the information presented and the discussion, I move that
the Commission forward a recommendation to approve this Zoning Text Amendment to City
Council.”
Commissioner Barry seconded the motion.
Vote:
• Yes: Scott, Scheer, Leverett, Christensen, Kraczek, Barry, Burrows
The Motion passed.
6. Zoning Text Amendment to Clarify Utility Exemptions in Zoning Regulations - Mayor Erin
Mendenhall initiated a petition to amend the applicability section of city code to clarify which public
utilities are exempt from zoning regulations. This proposed text amendment seeks to update the city
code for greater clarity and consistency. It also introduces exemptions for government-owned
antennas and for fencing needed to protect public utilities. The zoning sections affected by this
amendment include Section 21A.02.050.B (Applicability) and the footnotes in Section 21A.33 (Land
Use Tables), which are linked to related uses. Related provisions of Title 21A-Zoning may also be
amended as part of this petition. (Staff Contact: David Stuenzi at 801-535-6135 or
david.stuenzi@slc.gov) Case Number: PLNPCM2024-01352
Associate Planner David Stuenzi reviewed the proposal. He stated that staff recommends forwarding
a recommendation of approval to City Council.
The Chair opened the public hearing.
Public Hearing
• Cindy Cromer – Wanted to know if historic utilities installments would be handled administratively.
She stated that she would be against the proposal if those types of projects were handled
administratively.
Seeing that no one else wished to speak the Chair closed the public hearing.
Executive Session
The Commission and Staff discussed:
• Utilities in Historic Districts
• Public comment processes
• Taking the proposal to the Historic Landmark Commission
• Fencing height and proposed changes to the fence height code
• Security concerns
Motion
Commissioner Mike Christensen moved, “Based on the information presented and the discussion, I
move that the Commission forward a recommendation to adopt this Zoning Text Amendment to City
Council.”
Commissioner Scheer seconded the motion.
Vote:
• Yes: Christensen, Kraczek, Scheer, Scott, Barry, Leverett, Burrows
The motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
7. Historic Preservation & Local Historic District Training (Staff Contact: Amy Thompson at 801-
535-7281 or amy.thompson@slc.gov)
Planning Managers Kelsey Lindquist and Amy Thompson discussed information about historic
preservation and local historic districts with the Commission.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:45 PM
For Planning Commission agendas, staff reports, and minutes, visit the Planning Division’s website at slc.gov/planning/public-
meetings. Staff Reports will be posted the Friday prior to the meeting and minutes will be posted two days after they are ratified,
which usually occurs at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission.