Local developers are hoping Salt Lake City will agree to rezone three single-family home plots in order to build housing in the East Bench neighborhood.
The homes, which are located at 2260, 2270, 2290 E. 1300 South, are currently zoned as R-1-7000. The developers are requesting the parcels be rezoned to Community Business (CB), which would match the zoning for much of the surrounding area.
If the rezone is granted and if the City Council finalizes a pending overhaul of the city’s mixed-use zoning code, the land would likely be designated at MU-3.
According to documents submitted to Salt Lake City, the potential development along 1300 South, “would include approximately 30 total condominium and brownstone townhome units. Our vision is to dedicate 4 units for low-income, affordable buyers who meet the 80% AMI requirements of the surrounding area”.
The document further states the timing of the development is “early and conceptual.” It also says developers have been meeting with city officials for feedback on the project.
Anthony Wright, chair of the East Bench Community Council, told Building Salt Lake that developers contacted the community organization a little over a week ago. He hasn’t seen any exact plans for the housing units, but Wright was told the development would include for-sale units, which he strongly supports.
“I think it would be a great gateway into the neighborhood,” he said Monday. “This neighborhood needs smart development.”
Wright said a different developer pitched a plan to rezone these three single-family home lots in 2023, though the effort failed. Details from the 2023 plans indicate the rezone would’ve led to, “the potential redevelopment of these parcels into a multifamily or mixed-use commercial project,” in the words of the applicant.
Council Member Dan Dugan, who represents the East Bench neighborhood, told Building Salt Lake he’s met with the developers twice to discuss the project. Dugan said he voted against the 2023 proposal because it lacked affordable housing. This time around, however, the plan includes for-sale units and a handful of affordable housing units at 80% AMI, Dugan said. He said that aspect is a big deal.
“If it doesn’t have affordable housing, then I can’t (support it),” Dugan said.
He added there would need to be a development agreement between the city and the developer to lock in the affordable and home ownership aspects. Dugan said the location of the project is ideal for additional housing, citing the Foothill Village shopping center and nearby hiking trails.
Dugan said he’s open to supporting the development, but added that he told the developer they must meet with other community councils and members of the public to get their input on a project like this.
“I think it’s got a lot of potential,” Dugan told BSL. “The devil’s in the details on it, but it’s missing middle (housing).”
0 Comments