SALT LAKE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING In Room 326 of the City & County Building 451 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah Wednesday,
Vice Chair Angela Dean recognized Merilee Utter from City Ventures and Associates and Ron Straka, design consultant.
Ms. Utter stated that their assignment was the land use, urban design and corridor design for the street car. She noted that they would be looking at the locations of the stations along the route and small adjustments that might need to be made. The stated objective was to get ahead of the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) design process.
Ms. Utter clarified that the goal was to have the concepts in place that would be the fundamentals and framework for the vision that would be phased in and implemented over time. Ms. Utter stated that another important goal was involving the community and having a Ms. Utter asked if the Commission if one of the guidelines should be to preserve the single family neighborhoods as they are, and to what extent.
Commissioner Luke responded that he knew the City had planned meetings with the community, and he felt that there should be more citizen input.
Commissioner Woodhead stated that she felt it was early in the process to give a lot of feedback and wanted to hear what the neighborhood felt. She stated that until the field trip of that afternoon, she did not realize how much had already been determined.
Commissioner Luke agreed with Commissioner Dean and stated that he would like to see the line extended to the commercial area.
• Adding and Urban Design Planner to staff that would be partially funded by the RDA.
• RDA would fund a Planner whose function would be to accomplish the master plan and rezoning changes that would be needed for RDA.
• $250,000.00 in one time funding for long range planning. The money would be used for the development of a comprehensive policy plan that would be a master plan for the City. It would be considered a Consolidated Policy Plan that would be used as a reference for all future community plans.
• West Salt Lake Plan.
• East Bench Plan.
• Reducing our depence on oil 51%
• Addressing poverty 49%
• Clean air and water 49%
• Wall Street and Banking reform 39%
• Housing market downturn 38%
• Climate change and global warming 30%
• Transportation 21%
• Land development patterns 16%
Transportation Investments Findings
Findings about Sustainable Communities
• Most Americans believe that their region needs to rethink housing and transportation because “it doesn’t work for most people”
• Sustainable communities, as defined by their benefits, are broadly supported in every region and every region believes they need more of them.
• Sustainable communities are widely seen as important to rebuilding the economy.
• There is a clear demand for sustainable communities and it is increasing.
• The Livability Principles as defined by HUD, are also broadly supported.
• Sustainable communities can be framed in a very positive way, if we are proactive about it.
Findings About Interest for Walkable Communities
• Interest in walkability has dramatically increased as a home buying factor since the last time most Americans bought a house. 58% now way it factors in, compared to 20% who said it did in a significant way when they bought their current house.
• 68% of Americans say they would accept a reduction of at least 5% in square footage if it meant their new house was more walkable to shops and means.
Messages That Do Best Across All Political Preferences
84% I want the federal government to coordinate activities and funding between agencies more effectively.
82% Most Americans spend more than 50% of their household expenses on housing and transportation costs. That is too much.
82% Rebuilding our economy and creating new jobs is the most important issue of our generation.
400 South Project: The City received a grant to conduct a public outreach process to create a long term version for the 400 South/University Ave corridor with the focus on improving public outreach to people who do not typically participate in the planning process. The process will include working with a broad group of stakeholders to identify a long term vision for the corridor and the areas in close proximity to the Library, Trolley and 900 East Trax stations as well as creating development regulations that support the HUD Livability principles. (staff contact: Nick Norris at 801-535-6173 or nick.norris@slcgov.com or Maryann Pickering at 801-535-7660 or maryann.pickering@slcgov.com )
Mr. Norris discussed the two separate programs, the Challenge Grant Program and the Comprehensive Planning Grant Program
The Community Grant Program Goals are:
• Support transit oriented development
• Create and preserve affordable housing
• Improve public transportation
• Create pedestrian and bicycle thoroughfares
• Redevelop brownfields
• Foster economic development Mr. Norris discussed the area that would be impacted by the grant. Mr. Norris discussed the goals of the 400 South project, which are:
• Emphasis on bike and pedestrian routes
Mr. Norris stated that the two case studies in SLC would be the Downtown Street Car and the Salt Lake Central Station.
Mr. Norris added that an advisory board might be created and a member of the Planning Commission could be asked to participate.
6:37:09
PLNPCM2010-00656: West Salt Lake Master Plan – Staff will brief the Planning
mix of uses, and its pedestrian and alternative transportation needs
• Poplar Grove and Glendale are both stable, well developed residential neighborhood, but focus should be placed on infill housing and small business and commercial development
• West Salt Lake’s industrial neighborhoods are also relatively stable, but there is room for improvement regarding their public infrastructure, the mix of uses, and the relationship between those neighborhoods and the City
• West Salt Lake has opportunities for outdoor recreation and open space that are unavailable in the rest of the city. These opportunities should be created or expanded.
Mr. Britton stated that staff was organizing a third meeting which was to be held on June 1, 2011.