GACC concerns regarding policies and practices of the Salt Lake City Planning and Building Services

Overview--

On June 6th, 2006, the City Council heard public comment regarding the proposed Avenues and Capitol Hill SR-1 zoning overlay that the Avenues Housing Compatibility Committee (HCC) has been working on and refining over the past eleven months. Later that evening, the City Council voted 7-0 to approve the overlay changing our SR-1 areas to SR-1A. This replaced the temporary ordinance, due to expire June 13th, that was enacted on December 13, 2005. (click to read the overlay ordinance or see city zoning maps) Third District Councilman, Eric Jergensen, described the new SR-1A zoning regulations as "one of the great community efforts ever put forth in our City." Both major Salt Lake City daily newspapers described the new zoning ordinance as a positive example for all cities in the state facing in-fill challenges. Eric, thanks for all of your support!!!

Unfortunately, two days after Mayor Anderson signed the new ordinance into law, the City Planning Office proposed some significant modifications to the approval process that would reformulate how the measurements, designed to provide predictability for the community, would be calculated. In many cases, the the proposed changes would undo much of the progress that was achieved with the recently adopted city-wide infill ordinance and the new three-tiered permitting process. The Planning Office proposals are scheduled to be presented and discussed at the city Planning Commision meeting on June 28, 2006.

The HCC has been actively involved in providing feedback from the community to the Planning Office and will continue to do so. We hope you can use the HCC web-page to learn more about the permit application process and upcoming public hearings. We are also working on providing information to help permit applicants navigate the new tiered application process as well as providing information for adjoining property owners about how the new ordinance affects their rights and responsibilities. Also on this web-site, you can read the new SR-1A overlay ordinance and find contact information for the HCC, so you may pass along your thoughts and ideas. Contact us if you would like to help or get involved with the HCC, we welcome your participation. See below for meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes.

Finally, remember that the 23 foot building height limit (and other dimensional limits) is for an "over-the-counter" permit and does not ban you from building higher. You just need to consider the impact of your project on adjacent property owners when you exceed the base limits. Check back soon as we are also working on a page to help explain how the new tiered permit process works.