In the coming years, Salt Lakers could see taller buildings in the urban core of Sugar House, as well as a handful of other changes in mixed-use zones as part of the city’s ongoing proposal to overhaul its mixed-use zoning code.
As part of a multi-year plan to consolidate and simplify the zoning, members of the Salt Lake City Council signaled their intention to approve a number of changes on Tuesday, one of which includes allowing taller buildings in one of the city’s fastest growing neighborhoods.
Council members voted to change the allowable height in the Sugar House core area — between 2100 South and Interstate 80 to the north and south, and between 1300 East and McClelland Street to the east and west — from 125 feet to 150 feet. Each council member voted to give tentative approval of the change, minus Council Member Sarah Young, who represents the area (D7) and was not in attendance during the vote.
That area of Sugar House would be zoned as MU-11, which typically allows buildings up to 125 feet, though any building taller than 85 feet would be subject to a design review. MU-11 is the tallest available mixed-use zone.
Councilmember Darin Mano said he supported the height increase, saying that area of Sugar House is not adjacent to any single-family homes or areas that would be severely impacted by additional height. He added that the area is, “very well transit-connected, and really functions as our second downtown, so I think additional height is very warranted, personally.”
The straw poll matched the height allowance already given to the Granary District, which is the only other mixed-use area of the city that would allow buildings to be up to 150 feet.
However, in order to get the 150-foot building height, the Sugar House area would be subject to the same stipulations as Granary. Developments in either area would need to have 10% of their ground level be open space and feature at least one of the following: a midblock walkway, affordable housing or 100% commercial space on the ground floor.
Notably, the area of Sugar House discussed by the council did not include the old Wells Fargo branch that was, at one point, pitched to become an up to 300-foot tower. Those plans were later walked back, and a pitch for a 155-foot building took its place. That proposal was roundly rejected by the Salt Lake City Planning Commission last September.
The council took another straw poll vote regarding whether there should be a three-month transition period between the old zoning and new, consolidated zoning — assuming the City Council approves the overhaul.
Daniel Echeverria, a Salt Lake City senior planner, told the council that developers would be able to apply for permits under either the old zoning or the new zones during that three-month period. Council members agreed with that plan.
Mano told the planning staff he would want the zoning revisions to take effect immediately. He said he’s heard from several developers who have been waiting for the zoning overhaul and putting some projects on hold until the revised zoning is approved.
“So, yes, allowing developers that are already in the process three more months to vest in the old zoning, if that’s more beneficial to them,” said Mano, who is an architect by trade.
He moved to hold a straw poll that would allow a three-month grace period for the old zoning to be used, but also that the new zoning becomes effective immediately. The poll also allowed those already in the permitting phase of a project a chance to change their permits to the new zones. The poll passed unanimously, though Young was again not in attendance for the vote.
In addition to the change in Sugar House, council members also voted in polls to increase row house heights from 40 feet to 45 feet in zones MU-5, MU-6, MU-8 and MU-11.
The council did not hear all the mixed-use zoning changes being pitched by city planning staff, as the council ultimately ran out of time during the Tuesday meeting. The council will likely hear the other potential changes in subsequent meetings.
A hearing to accept public comment on the mixed-use zoning overhaul is scheduled for May 6. It’s unclear when the council will vote on the ordinance to formally approve the zoning code overhaul.
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