23 Dec SHCC LUZ REPORT 2026 JAN
We recently learned that Harbor Bay Ventures (the group working on the Wells Fargo parcel) has withdrawn its petitions to amend the Sugar House Community Plan and text/map amendment creating the MU-15 zone at 1095 E 2100 S. They are working on plans to redevelop the Wells Fargo site under the new MU-11 zoning district. The planner has not seen or discussed any building or site plan updates with their team. The two petition numbers are below for reference. When they actually are a oroject with information,, you will have the numbers to look them up in Acella. We also hear they may be trying to sell the parcel.
PLNPCM2023-00960: Sugar House Community Plan Amendment
PLNPCM2023-00961: Zoning Text/Map Amendment
The proposal for the Aveda Vocational School at 855 Garfield Avenue has been withdrawn…If you go to our post, you can follow the details. We will assume this project as proposed will not happen
RMF-35 & RMF-45 Zone Updates
On December 2, the City Council approved the RMF 35-45 combination. Here are details:
RMF-35 & RMF-45 Updates
Overview
On Dec. 9, the Council approved updates to the zoning map and rules for the RMF-35 (Moderate Density Multifamily Residential) and RMF-45 (Moderate/High Density Multifamily Residential) zoning districts. The changes include:
- Reducing minimum lot size requirements,
- Adding new design standards for new developments,
- Eliminating lot width minimums and replacing them with a maximum of 110 feet (about ¼ block),
- Offering incentives to preserve existing housing units, and
- Allowing multiple buildings per lot.
These updates aim to align the zones with their intended purpose and make building a wider variety of housing easier while preserving existing housing.
Continue reading for more information about the changes and the Council’s process.
What’s Changing?
The RMF-35 and RMF-45 zones were initially adopted to create more housing options between single-family homes and large apartment buildings, such as duplexes and small apartments. However, the current rules resulted in more single-family homes and large apartment buildings. To address this gap, the Administration proposed the following changes:
- Shift to form-based standards with tailored rules for each building type instead of applying the same rules to all housing types.
- Allow sideways-oriented rowhouses and cottage courts.
- Reducing minimum lot area requirements to allow more housing units.
- Replacing lot width requirements with a maximum of 110 feet (about ¼ block). The maximum lot width would limit large developments.
- Providing incentives for preserving existing homes. If a developer preserves 1-2 units, they may add two bonus units; if they preserve three or more units, they may add four bonus units.
- Requiring new exterior design standards for new buildings. The required standards include using durable materials, more street-facing windows, entry features, and building walls with windows or design changes. View a visual illustration of the proposed standards.
- Easing open space requirements for developments within 800 feet of a public park or open space.
- Lowering parking requirements to one space per housing unit since most properties in the zones are near transit.
For more details about the proposed changes, please view the Transmittal and explore Planning’s StoryMap.
For more information on background and research contributing to the proposal, check out the RMF-35 and RMF-45 Study.
The City Council approved the WUI Maps. Here is the link. You will see Assess Wildfire Risk. Then launch the risk explorer, choose homeowner, basic, read and click the disclaimer at the bottom. Put your address in at the top right, the colors across the bottom show your risk.
At the February meeting for the LUZ, we hope we will have the Sugar House Streetcar plans.
The Hotel at Sugar House Park is expected to go before the Planning Commission in February,. In January, the City Council will have work sessions to bring all Council members, incuding the new member, up to speed on the details. if you want to speak at the formal meeting where this is discussed, send your email to [email protected]. We will divide up the topics, because we only get two minutes each to speak, and we need to make sure that all the issues are covered.
LUZ DATES for 2026. We normally meet on the third Monday, but there are some exceptions.(Note some dates are moved to accommodate holidays).
January 12 at the HIVE, (1/19 is the usual day but that is MLK Day)
February 23 (2/26 is the usual day but that is President’s Day)
March 16,
April 20,
May 18,
June 15,
July 20,
August 17,
September 21,
October 19
November 16,
December 14 at 6:30.
NOTE: All meetings are at Sprague Library at 6 p.m., except for January, which is at the HIVE at 6 p.m. and December 14 which starts at 6:30.
