SALT LAKE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
City & County Building
451 South State Street, Room 326, Salt Lake City, Utah
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
A roll is being kept of all who attended the Planning Commission Meeting. The meeting was called to order at 5:32:36 PM Audio recordings of the Planning Commission meetings are retained for a period of time.
Present for the Planning Commission meeting were: Chairperson Weston Clark, Vice Chairperson Maurine Bachman; Commissioners Amy Berry, Carolynn Hoskins, Matt Lyon, Sara Urquhart and Andres Paredes. Commissioner Ivis Garcia, Emily Drown, Clark Ruttinger and Brenda Scheer were excused.
Planning Staff members present at the meeting were Wayne Mills, Planning Manager; Tracy Tran, Senior Planner; Lauren Parisi, Principal Planner; Deborah Severson, Administrative Secretary and Marlene Rankins, Administrative Secretary.
Field Trip
A field trip was held prior to the work session. Planning Commissioners present were: Bachman, Chairperson Clark, Hoskins, and Urquhart. Staff members in attendance were Wayne Mills, Tracy Tran and Lauren Parisi.
•1055 W. North Temple, Unit 2- Staff summarized project.
•1100 West Street Closure – Staff summarized project – discussed final outcome of closure.
APPROVAL OF THE May 9, 2018, MEETING MINUTES. 5:32:42 PM
MOTION 5:32:48 PM
Commissioner Urquhart moved to approve the May 9, 2018, meeting minutes. Commissioner Hoskins seconded the motion. Commissioners Urquhart, Bachman, Hoskins, and Barry voted “yes”. Commissioners Paredes and Lyon abstained from voting. The motion passed unanimously.
REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR 5:33:10 PM
Chairperson Clark stated he had nothing to report.
Vice Chairperson Garcia was not present.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 5:33:20 PM
Mr. Wayne Mills, Planning Manager, introduced Marlene Rankins, Administrative Secretary for the Salt Lake City Planning Division and stated Ivis Garcia has resigned, so the Planning Commission will need a new Vice Chair.
1. Conditional Use for the 801 Event and Convention Center at approximately 1055 W. North Temple, Unit 2 - Javier Armenta, the lessee of the subject property and owner of 801 Event and Convention Center, is requesting Conditional Use approval to allow a convention center at the above listed property. Salt Lake City's Zoning Code allows convention centers as a conditional use in the Transit Station Area – Special Purpose – Transitional (TSA-SP-T) zoning district where this property is located. The proposed convention center will be located within the existing building on the site. The subject property is located in Council District 2, represented by Andrew Johnston. (Staff Contact: Lauren Parisi at 801-535-7226 or lauren.parisi@slcgov.com) Petition Number PLNPCM2018-00123
Ms. Lauren Parisi, Principal Planner, reviewed the petition as outlined in the Staff Report (located in the case file). Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the proposed conditional use for a convention center subject to the conditions listed below and referenced in the motion sheet.
The Commission and Staff discussed the following:
•The types and sizes of events being held in building.
•A 6-foot solid fence of a durable material to be installed.
•The building to be updated to mitigate sound impacts.
•A parking lease agreement to allow the proposed convention center to use dedicated parking.
Mr. Javier Armenta, applicant, reviewed his business and building being an asset to the community by beautifying the building itself and landscape. Prior to Mr. Armenta acquiring the building, there was criminal activity, the building was run down and had broken windows.
The Commission, Staff and Applicant discussed the following:
•Entrance to the building.
•How applicant has reached out to the neighbors regarding concerns with convention center.
•Lighting and lack of lighting concerns.
PUBLIC HEARING 6:03:06 PM
Chairperson Clark opened the Public Hearing;
Starting with the Community Council; seeing no one wished to speak.
General Public;
Matt Groen lives on Learned Ave., has concerns regarding large groups that are intoxicated and playing loud music outside of his home after events at the said location. Stated guests at convention center are parking near housing and it is disruptive.
Dirk Groen spoke with concerns of security and beer bottles that are getting thrown, language being used by patrons, expansion of building, and fearing more events means more trash on their yards. Concerns of parking usage causing more noise.
Chairperson Clark closed the Public Hearing. 6:09:02 PM
Chairperson Clark invites Staff and Applicant back up for additional questions 6:09:04 PM
Chairperson Clark started with concerns about noise control with events that are being held outside the premises that may lead to a possible conflict with neighbors.
Planning Manager, Wayne Mills states that in the zoning ordinance it says the Planning Commission may impose on a conditional use any conditions necessary to address the forgoing factors; conditions needed to mitigate any natural hazards, assure public safety, address environmental impacts, and mitigate dust fumes smoke odor and noise. 6:12:38 PM
Commissioner Barry asked about the plan to build a wall on the east side and concerns if the wall will continue along the south side as well, and if people use the south side as an entrance.
MOTION 6:27:48 PM
Commissioner Lyon stated based on the information in the staff report, the information presented, and the input received during the public hearing, I move that the Planning Commission approve Petition PLNPCM2018-00123 for the 801 Event and Convention Center Conditional Use with the conditions listed in the staff report and with the addition that the primary entrance of the facility be on the north or west side of the building.
Commissioner Barry amended the motion. Condition #1 that is listed in the staff report regarding the fence. She would like it to not be limited to 6-feet and state that it must be at least 6 feet.
MOTION MODIFIED 6:29:54 PM
Commissioner Lyon stated, based on the information in the staff report, I move that the Planning Commission approve PLNPCM2018-00123 for the 801 Event and Convention Center Conditional Use with conditions in the staff report, with the following additions and modifications;
Condition:
#1- Is modified to say at least 6 foot solid fence
Adding condition #4 – That the entrance be on the North or West side of the building of the property
#5 – The designated smoking areas are not to be on the east side
Motion modification Second by Urquhart.
Commissioners Barry, Hoskins, Bachman, Lyon, Urquhart, and Paredes voted “aye”. The motion passed unanimously.
2. 1100 West Street Closure and Subdivision Amendment – Salt Lake City Transportation Division is requesting to close a portion of 1100 West approximately between 900 South and Hayes Avenue. The purpose of the street closure is to extend the 9Line trail, connecting the 9Line Trail Corridor with the Ila Fyfe Wetland Preserve. 1100 West is located within an existing subdivision and will require a subdivision amendment. The subject property is located in Council District 2, represented by Andrew Johnston. (Staff Contact: Tracy Tran at 801-535-7645 or tracy.tran@slcgov.com) Petition Numbers PLNPCM2018-00146 and PLNSUB2018-00147
Tracy Tran reviewed the petition as outlined in the staff report (located in the case file). Ms. Tran stated Staff recommended that the Planning Commission forward a positive recommendation to the City Council for the proposed street closure and subdivision amendment.
The Commission, Staff and Applicant discussed the following:
•Jeff Gulden with the City Transportation Division, discussed the roadway closure. Curb would be installed on the North and South sides of the proposed section of 1100 West. The asphalt will be removed and landscaping and open space elements will be installed in that area. The closure will permanently restrict vehicles from using that section of 1100 West.
•The purpose for doing this from a transportation prospective is to eliminate the vehicle/ trail user conflicts that currently have the potential to occur at the 9Line Trail and 1100 West. It will also create one continuous park connecting the two parks on both sides of 1100 West.
•The transportation elements were studied by the Transportation Division, it was determined that this closure of 1100 West would have negligible impact on the local transportation network.
•Tyler Murdock, Project Manager with Salt Lake City Parks and Public Lands spoke about the larger improvements along the 9Line corridor that will be implemented as part of the closure. The improvements primarily focus on the landscaping and transportation safety improvements throughout the corridor to create a unique and safe experience for the users of the corridor.
•The conceptual design focuses on 10 nodes with park-like amenities. The nodes are located where the north and south streets intercepts with the 9Line Trail.
•The entire corridor itself will receive basic landscaping, trees, and irrigation improvements but the focus will be on the nodes where the community can connect with the 9Line corridor. Elements include: improved sidewalks, bicycle paths to get into the corridor and some plaza space; benches and community art work at each of those nodes.
•Specifically, the 1100 West closure will include benches, native landscaping, and improved sidewalks and pedestrian paths.
•Planned construction documents for 1100 West include a curb along Hayes Avenue on each side. The actual road will become a crushed stone plaza space with community art work, trees and a small grass area with the 9Line Trail that now intersects straight through the property.
•Chairperson Clark stated that it looks like a great project.
•Commissioner Paredes questioned if there were any comments from the public via email.
•Ms. Tran stated that there were five (5) comments made by the public. Four (4) of the comments made were in support and one (1) was against.
•Commissioner Lyon questioned how the public is noticed.
•Ms. Tran stated there has been a few types of engagement completed prior. Parks and Transportation actually did their own engagement before they submitted for the street closure application. They sent out mailers and spoke at each of the community councils.
•A large number of people were noticed in the surrounding area that would use the road most.
•A public Open House was also held for this project.
•Chairperson Clark questioned concerns of the public with any extra lighting features in that area.
•Tyler Murdock, Project Manager with Salt lake City Parks and Public Lands stated that each of the nodes will receive solar bollards. They are not meant to illuminate the entire corridor more as to provide minimal lighting at the nodes so that you can see as you transport down the 9Line corridor.
PUBLIC HEARING 6:46:42 PM
Chairperson Clark opened the Public Hearing;
Seeing that no one was present to speak, Chairperson Clark closed public hearing.
MOTION 6:48:55 PM
Commissioner Bachman stated based on the findings and analysis in the staff report, testimony, and discussion at the public hearing, I move that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council approve PLNPCM2018-00146 and PLNSUB2018-00147, 1100 West Street Closure between 900 South and Hayes Avenue, and the Related Subdivision Amendment.
Motion second by Commissioner Barry.
Commissioners Paredes, Urquhart, Lyon, Bachman, Hoskins and Barry voted “aye”. The Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Barry also added a comment that when the Sugar House Streetcar greenway was created it took a while for people to get used to it but its fine. It was 15 years ago now and it works. She doesn’t think we will have drunken people driving over it. With that being said, she’s really pleased to see this and she thinks these things work and she’s glad we are looking at opportunities to improve our connectivity for non-vehicular travel and make it safer. She votes overwhelmingly, yes.
OTHER BUSINESS 6:50:40 PM
Election of Vice Chair
Chairperson Clark stated it was important to remark for the record, Vice Chairperson Garcia apologizes she wasn’t able to make it.
MOTION 6:52:22 PM
Commissioner Lyon made a motion to nominate Commissioner Bachman and second by Commissioner Hoskins.
Commissioners Urquhart, Lyon, Bachman, Hoskins and Barry voted “aye”. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 6:54:40 PM