The Council is reviewing a proposal to create a new zoning district known as the Jordan River Fairpark (JRF) District.
The Proposal
Larry H. Miller (LHM) Company is requesting a change to the City’s zoning ordinance to create the JRF District. Approximately 93 acres at 1500 W North Temple would be rezoned to facilitate the development of the Power District.
This district would allow for buildings up to 400 feet, with design review required for those above 200 feet, includes dedicated open space, and requires no minimum lot sizes, widths, or setbacks. Additionally, developments within the district would be exempt from the City’s general plan. Currently, no development plans have been submitted.
The proposal also includes a development agreement to establish review processes for development, address infrastructure improvements, and ensure public access to the Jordan River and open space.
Under new state law, the City and LHM Company must reach an agreement by Dec. 31, 2024, for efficient land use reviews and approval for a potential stadium and other related uses. If no agreement is reached, development in the area would not be subject to the City’s zoning regulation.
The Planning Commission forwarded an approval recommendation with a list of conditions for the Council’s consideration.
Next Steps
At its Dec. 3 meeting, the Council will hold a follow-up discussion and a second public hearing to gather feedback on the proposal.
Input can be shared anytime by emailing Council.Comments@slc.gov, calling 801-535-7654, or submitting your comments online.
For information about joining Council meetings and how to provide feedback during the public hearing, please visit www.slc.gov/council/agendas/.
Planning Commission Recommendation & Conditions
The Planning Commission voted 7 to 1 to forward a positive recommendation with the following conditions:
- The applicant shall continue to work with Public Utilities on the applicability of the Riparian Corridor Overlay. Unless otherwise approved by Public Utilities, the overlay shall remain applicable.
- Public Utilities Master Plans and Transportation Master Plans remain applicable to the JRF District.
- The applicant shall follow mitigation measures as dictated in the Airspace Impact Study.
- A minimum percentage of the entire project must be dedicated as open space and accessible to the public.
- The Commission recommends that a minimum of 10% of the total housing development be available for rent or sale at a maximum of 80% AMI.
- Design Standards shall apply to all buildings facing public streets and the Jordan River. The standards shall be updated to include lighting, entry features, parking garage specifications, and limits on building façade lengths.
- Midblock walkways associated with additional building height shall be a minimum of 15’ wide.
- A maximum setback of 15 feet shall be provided from all streets and publicly accessible open spaces.
- The approved site plan created for the JRF District shall be incorporated into the North Temple Boulevard Plan.
- Concerns raised by the Planning Commission during the October 23, 2024 meeting shall be addressed prior to the City Council adopting the Zoning Text and Map Amendment and Term Sheet associated with the Development Agreement. This includes:
- Vacating an existing city easement as part of the agreement without a guarantee that the easement would be replaced in kind.
- Automatically applying the proposed zoning district to lands that the applicant may purchase in the future instead of going through the normal zoning map amendment process and the legality of such a provision.
- Exempting the property from all provisions of Riparian Corridor Overlay (RCO) instead of defining specific provisions of the RCO that could be modified in the agreement.
- Exempting the proposal from all utility improvement plans that apply to the property, which are necessary to locate, increase capacity, and fund needed future upgrades.
- The lack of specific public benefits that would be included in the future development, including affordable housing or contribution to affordable housing funds that could be used in the area, and no guarantee of publicly accessible open space.
Council Discussions
Nov. 19 Work Session & Briefing
The Council continued to discuss the proposed Jordan River Fairpark District. The Council took several straw polls to inform future action on open space requirements, design standards applicability, building heights, setback requirements, walkways, and land uses.
During the formal meeting, the Council held a public hearing to gather feedback on the proposal. Several members of the public expressed general support for the zoning, highlighting the opportunity to transform the area, while others raised concerns about gentrification, displacement, and other impacts on residents. The Council voted to continue the public hearing and accept public comments at its Dec. 3 meeting.
Nov. 12 Work Session
The Council received a briefing on the proposed zoning district, the Planning Commission’s recommendations, and LHM Company’s vision of the area. The Council shared potential public benefits that could be included in future agreements such as affordable family-sized housing, workforce development initiatives, and access to open space. The Council will hold a follow-up discussion and hold a public hearing on the proposal at its Nov. 19 meeting.