SALT LAKE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
451 South State Street, Room 126
Present from the Planning Commission were Chairperson Max Smith, Andrea Barrows, Arla Funk, Craig Mariger, Stephen Snelgrove and Mike Steed. Judi Short, Diana Kirk, Gregory DeMille and Gilbert Iker were excused.
Present from the Planning Staff were Planning Director, William T. Wright, Brent Wilde, Doug Dansie, Bill Allayaud and Everett Joyce.
A roll is being kept of all who attended the Planning Commission meeting. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mr. Smith. Minutes are presented in agenda order, not necessarily as cases were heard by the Planning Commission. Tapes of the meeting will be retained in the Planning Office for a period of one year, after which, they will be erased.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes for the January 7, 1999 meeting will be available for approval at the February 4, 1999 Planning Commission Meeting.
PETITIONS
PUBLIC HEARING - Petition No. 410-334 by John Williams for a conditional use for a waiver of the 40% glass requirement at 414 West 300 South in a downtown D-3 zone.
Mr. Dansie presented the staff report outlining the major issues of the case, the findings of fact and the staff recommendation, a copy of which is filed with the minutes. Mr. Dansie stated that according to the D-3 zoning, the ground level facing any street is required to have 40% glass. Mr. Dansie further stated that the petitioners are proposing building a parking structure at 414 West 300 South that has basically no glass, facing the street with a 40 foot buffer with plans to build housing in front of the parking structure in the future. The options are to install glass on the ground level of the parking structure, which is not feasible because of structural and ramping issues, or installing glass display windows on the parking structure. The petitioners are therefore requesting a conditional use to waive that requirement based upon the fact that this is a phased development. The second phase housing development will occupy the street frontage and meet the intent of the ordinance requiring 40% glass.
Staff recommends approval because the Downtown and Gateway Master Plans support the development of housing in this zone, which specifically accommodates the development of housing.
Petitioner, Mr. John Williams of Gastronomy and Mr. Jeff Gochnour were present for this portion of the meeting along with architect, Mr. Louis Ulrich and stated that they were in agreement with the staff recommendations.
Ms. Barrows asked if the walls were solid.
Mr. Ulrich responded that it was a structural sheer wall.
Mr. Williams further explained to the Planning Commission that what Salt Lake City is trying to do is hide these parking structures and to provide the opportunity for potential housing.
Mr. Ulrich explained the condominium concept.
Ms. Barrows asked about the wall being sheer.
Mr. Ulrich explained that there is bracing that keeps the building from collapsing.
Mr. Ulrich stated that a fire wall must be created.
A main concern of Ms. Barrows was if there was enough space being left between street and parking structure.
Mr. Dansie responded that there was quite a bit of depth at the 3rd South parking lot, and feels comfortable with fitting something into a 42 foot depth.
Mr. Smith opened the hearing to the public and asked if anyone wished to address the Planning Commission. Upon receiving no response, he closed the hearing to the public and opened it for Planning Commission discussion.
Mr. Gochnour distributed a letter to the Planning Commission members from the Rio Grande Community Council in favor of waiving the 40% glass requirement at 414 West 300 South provided the following requests are met; 1) local artists be commissioned or grant money used to paint a mural on the east facing facade, 2) some of the parking be made available to the public, especially during special events downtown and the farmer’s market in the summer, and 3) completed in a timely manner. Mr. Gouchnour discussed the requests of the letter.
Mr. Gochnour stated that they would be willing to look into acquiring funding for an artist to paint the mural.
Mr. Williams was concerned about the expense of completing a mural if it is going to be covered up later on. He further stated that he felt it was somewhat wasteful, because people become attached to it.
Motion for Petition No. 410-334:
Ms. Funk moved, based on findings outlined in the staff report, to approve Petition No. 410-334 waiving the glass requirement of 40% in the Downtown D-3 zone subject to the following condition;
1. That ivy and grass be planted immediately and that if it is not completed within 24 months that street trees be added and that they be designed with the approval of the Planning Director.
Mr. Steed seconded the motion. Ms. Barrows, Mr. Mariger, Mr. Snelgrove, Ms. Funk, and Mr. Steed voted “Aye”. Mr. Iker, Ms. Kirk, Ms. Short and Mr. DeMille were not present. Mr. Smith, as Chair, did not vote. The motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
Update on CN/CB Zoning Changes on Foothill Drive
Mr. Bill Allayaud, representing the Planning Division, was present for this portion of the meeting to update the Planning Commission on zoning changes at 1700 South, Foothill Drive. Mr. Allayaud distributed a memo to the Planning Commission and briefly discussed pending issues at 1700 South Foothill Drive, drive-throughs, gas stations and community council involvement, a copy of which is filed with the minutes. A brief discussion followed between Planning Staff and the Planning Commission.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.