SHCC Meeting Minutes – December 2005

From Sugar House

SUGAR HOUSE COMMUNITY COUNCIL Minutes for December 7, 2005

Attendance

Trustees present

Janice Anderl, Su Armitage, Russell Callister, Philip Carlson, Sarah Carlson, Dolores Donohoo, Art Haddow, Michael G. Kavanagh, Emil Kmet, David Mulder, Cabot Nelson, Derek Payne, Helen Peters, Ray Pugsley, Judi Short, Grace Sperry, Steve Wilson, Rawlins Young (18)

Trustees excused

L. Rex Sears, Barbara Green, Ruth Price, Derek Payne, Susan Petheram (5)

City/State Representatives

Annette Daley, SLC Mayor’s Office; JD Smith, SLPD (2)

Others

Jennie Thueson, Cheryl Smith, Andrew Mitchell, Kort Utley, Ginger Utley, Robert Cheney, Joyce Cheney, Jenn Hyvover (8)

Meeting minutes

Call to Order: 7:01pm

Mark Holland conducting. Grace Sperry moved to amend the minutes for the November, 2005, meeting The paragraph and line that reads:

“Grace Sperry asserted that property rights are paramount. This process becomes a takings. She stood totally opposed.” should be changed as follows:

“Grace Sperry said that property rights were guaranteed by our Constitution and that over the years those fee simple rights had been drastically reduced by various zoning changes, etc. and that the proposed changes to property owner’s rights via the P & Z Compatible Infill proposal were too stringent and not necessary and damaged individual owner’s private property rights.

“Ruth Price also spoke and supported Grace Sperry’s comments re: the Compatible Infill and suggested that perhaps the current owners of property be grandfathered into any new zoning regulations because they had bought their property with certain expectations of the value and that it was unfair to now take their rights from them through regulations such as the one under discussion. New owners buying after such regulations might go into effect would be forewarned and aware of the limitations.

“Ruth Price also felt that Private Property rights were of paramount importance and not to be taken away.”

Secretary Cabot Nelson said that although he’d abstain from the vote to amend the minutes, the proposed amendments were far too detailed. The secretary’s job is to record minutes, not provide details on each idea. He explained that SLC limits the mailers to two pages. Grace Sperry asked why we have recordings if we don’t use them. She said that the paper limits should not restrict the minutes. Helen Peters said that it sounded like the amendments go beyond what was actually discussed at the November meeting.

Dave Mulder expressed support for the secretary in that the length of the minutes can go to far. Art Haddow supported Grace, but understood the confines of the length of the minutes. Rawlins Young seconded the motion to amend. The motion to accept the amendment passed, 7-2-1.

Motion to accept the minutes as amended made by Dolores Donohoo. Seconded by Art Haddow. Passed, 10-1-1.

Treasurer’s report

Dolores Donohoo reported balance of $5,062.03. $250 was donated to the SH Merchants Association, with the ending balance of $4,812.03.

Chair’s report

There are no substantial items except for a public open house to discuss Romney Lumber, 2982 Benchmark Drive, adjacent to SLC. There will be a hearing on the 15th. There was a city council hearing. Helen Peters will discuss it during her report. The chair recognized 10 Boy Scouts from the Park Stake in attendance.

Public Input

Kort Utley presented his case for street lighting on Downington Avenue 19th-20th East with matching grant with SLC. Grace Sperry moved to approve. Chair declared it by acclamation. With Art Haddow seconding, the motion to approve passed, 12-0-2.

The chair explained the process for seeking matching grants. Kort Utley asked about 12 houses on each side of the street and worked to get bids. With 4 bids, the cost came to $1375 per light. The neighborhood fronted half, the city the other half. Grace Sperry asked if this was added to the UP&L bill. Yes. Rawlins Young noted that there are other ways to use the self-help grant. It can be used to with special improvement districts to improve with streets.

Cheryl Smith of 824 East Downington Avenue sought opposition to Board of Adjustment actions permitting a cotton-candy operation in residence as a conditional use permit. The license might open the door to other applications which will result in negative affects to the neighborhood. Helen Peters will check the facts and attend the meeting. Ms. Smith continued, saying that Amanda Jorgensen of the SLC planning dept. admitted that it was a mistake. Sarah Carlson inquired if this person needed to come to the SHCC. Helen Peters said not necessarily. Rawlins Young said that it is bad practice to allow commercial interests in residential neighborhoods.

Crime Update

By JR Smith, SLPD, ph# 799-4640. Only one robbery, which is a record low. There was an incident of shoplifting that turned into a robbery. One recent day in the southwest parking lot of Fairmont Park at about 3PM, a man and woman in a car were threatened by a 40-year-old, red-haired male. The couple escaped, but locked their keys in the car. Cops opened the door. Cabot Nelson, who lives near the park, inquired further, asking if this had happened before. Sarah Carlson asked if the story was made up. Officer Smith said the victims sounded credible. There is an increase in auto thefts near Christmas, especially from unattended, idling vehicles. (Officer Smith chuckled that the bad guys are getting up before 8am!) If one must idle one’s vehicle, get a 2nd key, a steering wheel lock, or something to secure the vehicle. With the holidays, shopping areas become targets for thieves, notably Sugar House, Trolley Square, and The Gateway Mall. Su Armitage asked about follow-ups on a loud partying residence. Officer Smith explained that follow-up calls to one location result in special fees assessed charged to the owner for providing security. Dave Mulder complimented the graffiti response on a call he made recently.

Mayor’s Office Report

By Annette Daley. On Saturday, the mayor will be at Beans & Brews on 900 South at 11AM. It’s your chance to meet the mayor. He’ll especially discuss the 900 South project. The SLC Book Club Committee seeks ideas on books to read. The mayor is currently in London. Annette joked that it was too bad she wasn’t with him to show him good places. SLC has received awards for its initiatives, even surpassing Canada and South Africa.

City Council update

By Dale Lambert. Two issues important to this council: 1) Plan for Central Business District of SH. A couple of changes, particularly of one building north of Post Office. The new zoning allows 100ft apartment building east of the former Irving Junior High. 2) The infill ordinance is very touchy. The Avenues are passionate. There are no 4 votes for the exact same ordinance, but there will be one ordinance. Councilor Lambert feels that neighborhoods do get their own ordinances. Olympic legacy project in Fairmont completed. Unfortunately, he didn’t get SH Monument restored. The funds earmarked, but the bids were way over budget.

As a farewell, Councilor Lambert spoke how the SHCC is a remarkable community council. He humorously noted of the level of bribery and graft in the city, namely, none. He enjoyed and was honored working with the SHCC. The Council showed its appreciation and applauded. Councilor-elect Soren Simonsen did not attend.

Sugar House Merchants Association

Lynne Olson and Barbara Green could not attend.

Sugar House Business Spotlight

Brookside Broiler was not here yet.

Salt Lake City Arts Council

Public Art at Fairmont Park Skate park

By Nancy Boskoff. The Sugar Beets arts project was funded by RDA. The RDA also funded the anagrams in the pavers. The plaque on the monument island. The Sprague Library has the key to all puzzles. The trout on 1020 E. 2100 S. were crafted by a foundry in Utah. Lynn Olson provided idea to mark the water and canal in the area. The Fairmont Park sculpture is called “Sk8i80”, pronounced “skate I-80”. Stephen Glassman created it, with engineering done by a firm in California that does roller coasters. There are holographs embedded in the sheets of resin. Grace Sperry said that the skate art was OK, but asked if the fish were a safety concern to pedestrians. Ms. Boskoff reviewed them. Steve Wilson asked if the skate art was a permanent location. Yes. There was a lot of time in selection of the location. Michael G. Kavanagh related a story where one asked Artist Glassman “How does one get on the gravy train?” Artist Glassman retorted “To be the last one standing.” Grace Sperry also noted that Ultimate Electronics had to remove their hologram because of distractions to motorists. Dave Mulder asked if there were a plaque for the fish on 2100 South. There will be no are on the SH monument island because of compatibility issues with modern and old. RDA has the idea that there is much art in the building. In SH, it’s free form. Now to have artists design benches. Derek Payne asked about bus stop and benches. UTA has bus shelters. They can decide on their art. Rawlins Young noted that we have had benches before, but their odd placement made them less functional. Of the UTA shelters, the water freezes and creates a hazard. The Art Barn is a project of the city arts council. It provides a market, everyday 1-7pm. It’s in Reservoir Park, 1325 E 100 S.

Sugar House Business Spotlight

Brookside Broiler: Art Haddow introduced owner Dirk Linderman. The building was the Wasatch Broiler. In February one partner bought out other. There were menu and other changes. The Broiler does to-go menus. 15% discount on take-out. They feature steaks, ribs, pastas, pizzas, salads, fish. Focus on fresh, healthy. Hours are 11am-9pm M-F, 11am-10pm Sat. Closed Sun. They are members of the Merchants Association. The SHCC has tried to work with Legislature for allowing small scale business districts to relax alcohol restrictions.

Land Use & Zoning Committee

by Helen Peters. She provided handouts. Notably, on notice of open house. Wayne Mills noted what items could be handled by the hearing officer. Regarding the Compatible Infill issues, a building’s volume ratio is better that floor area ratios. Council will accept what they already have in place. Judi Short mentioned that to keep the schools, we need to allow a little bigger houses. Grace Sperry strongly pointed out that east downtown area was developed from 1910 to 1950s by a contractor. Newer construction may not look the same, but are more efficient. It’s a matter of time that makes houses attractive.

A development on 700 East Harrison in the Emerson neighborhood. As a courtesy, Cindy Cromer of that neighborhood asked to have this go to SHCC. There is a 130×148 ft lot. The owner wants to tear down the 4-plex, asking to building townhouses. This is 3ft short for 50ft min width. Judi Short would prefer that it be 3 bungalows. R-1-5000 is the current zoning; the applicant wants RMF-45. Rawlins Young said it sounds like spot zoning because it’s all in one plot. Judi moved to have the SHCC supporting keeping its current zoning. Helen Peters seconded. Grace Sperry remembered some historic adobe house in East Central CC. Ray Pugsley asked if the SHCC will we regret this. It is out of our boundaries. Grace Sperry spoke of the generalization of the large area. It doesn’t feel like it’s part of the neighborhood. SLC needs townhouses. Rawlins Young said our proposal is consistent with the planning staff report. Access to housing should not come from 7th east. It’s an arterial.

Cabot Nelson moved to call the question. Grace seconded. Passed, 12-0-1. The motion, in essence: We support the position of the East Downtown CC to keep zoning at R-1-5000, which can support a PUD. Ray asked to how to reconcile the difference. Motion passed, 7-3-3. Helen Peters finished the handouts review.

Parliamentary Post Mortem

By Ray Pugsley. He provided a handout regarding votes.

Adjourn

Adjourned, 9:07pm.