SALT LAKE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
451 South State Street, Room 126
Present from the Planning Commission were Chairperson Kimball Young, Judi Short, Diana Kirk, Andrea Barrows, Craig Mariger, Aria Funk, Fred Fife, Max Smith and Jim McRea. Carlton Christensen and Gilbert lker were excused.
Present fron1 the Planning Staff were Planning Director William T. Wright, Brent Wilde, Gary Christensen, Doug Dansie, Margaret Pahl and Doug Wheelwright.
After an extended field trip and a dinner break, the meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mr. Young. The meeting Minutes are presented in agenda order, not necessarily as cases were heard by the Planning Commission.
A roll is being kept of all who attended the Planning Commission meeting. Tapes of the meeting will be retained in the Planning Office for a period of one year, after which, they will be erased.
DINNER BREAK DISCUSSION
Continuation of Gateway Master Plan Issues
The continuation of the Gateway Master Plan Issues discussion took place on site during the Planning Commission field trip.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Smith moved to approve the minutes of Thursday, October 2, 1997. Ms. Kirk seconded the motion. Mr. Mariger, Ms. Short, Ms. Kirk, Mr. McRea, Mr. Fife, Ms. Funk, Mr. Smith and Ms. Barrows voted "Aye". Mr. lker and Mr. Christensen were not present. Mr. Young, as Chair, did not vote. The motion passed.
PETITIONS
PUBLIC HEARING- Petition No. 400-97-61 by the Salt Lake City Council requesting to rezone Lot 4 of the Homestead Village Planned Development. located at 1222 East 2100 South. from a Commercial "C-SHBD" to an Open Space "OS" zoning district.
Mr. Gary Christensen 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.
Motion for Petition No. 400-97-61:
Ms. Kirk moved, based on the findings of fact, to forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council to rezone lot 4 of the Homestead Village Planned Development from a Commercial "C-SHBD" zoning district to an Open Space "OS" zoning district. Ms. Short seconded the motion. Mr. Mariger, Ms. Short, Ms. Kirk, Mr. McRea, Mr. Fife, Ms.Funk, Mr. Smith and Ms. Barrows voted "Aye". Mr. lker and Mr. Christensen were not present. Mr. Young, as Chair, did not vote. The motion passed.
PUBLIC HEARING - Petition No. 410-285 by Howa Properties. Inc. requesting a conditional use for a parking lot to be located at 279 West South Temple in a Downtown "D-1" zoning district. Howa Properties. Inc. is also requesting a conditional use for a reduction in the landscape setback requirements.
Mr. Doug 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 then stated that Howa Properties, Inc. submitted drawings with 5, 10 and 15 foot landscaped setbacks illustrated. Mr. Dansie continued by stating that staff is recommending that the proposed parking lot have a 15 foot landscaped setback on both 300 West and South Temple because the existing parking lots adjacent to the site have a 15 foot landscaped setback along the street frontages of both 300 West and South Temple. Mr. Dansie also stated that the parking lot is intended to be an interim use to provide revenue on the site until such time that it can be developed. (It is not intended to remain a parking lot for more than three years.)
Ms. Kirk asked if a time limit could be placed on the parking lot approval. Mr. Wright responded by stating that conditional uses cannot be approved as temporary conditional uses. Mr. Wright then stated that the Planning Commission could place a condition to the use that would require it to be reevaluated, in at least four years, if it is still being operated as a parking lot and find out what the future plans are from the property owner.
Mr. Jon Reimann and Mr. Grant Gibbs, representatives for the applicant, were present for this portion of the meeting and stated that they were in agreement with the staff recommendations. Also present was Mr. Jeff Nethery of AMPCO System Parking, the lessee of the property .
Mr. Gibbs stated that the property was not purchased with the intended use of converting it into a long term parking lot. Ms. Kirk stated that she has a concern with the size and location of the property as a long term parking lot. She then questioned how the property can be developed differently, other than a parking lot, without obtaining additional land.
Mr. Nethery stated that with the closure of a nearby parking lot that has a capacity of 325 stalls, this proposed parking lot is crucial to help accommodate the cars for Delta Center events.
The petitioner requested that the drive approach on 300 West be allowed to remain for special circumstances that may require ingress and egress from 300 West.
Mr. Mariger commented that it removed too much landscaping. Mr. Wright commented on the safety concerns of a "dead" driveway approach on 300 West. Mr. Wright stated it is not likely that the engineering and traffic approvals would be granted for this curb cut and driveway.
Mr. Young opened the hearing to the public and asked if anyone wished to address the Planning Commission.
Mr. Doug Knudsen, representative for the Delta Center, stated that the Delta Center supports this project.
Upon receiving no further requests to address the Planning Commission, Mr. Young closed the hearing to the public and opened it for Planning Commission discussion.
The Planning Commission further discussed the possibility of putting a time limit on the conditional use approval.
Mr. Smith stated that he is uncomfortable with placing a condition on the use to have it reevaluated within a certain amount of time. Mr. Smith then stated that he feels it is highly improbable that this property will remain a parking lot due to its location and the pressures of the economy.
Motion for Petition No. 410-285:
Mr. Smith moved, based on the findings, to approve a conditional use for Petition No. 410-285 for a surface parking lot subject to the following conditions:
1. A 15 foot landscaped setback on both 300 West and South Temple be provided.
2. A two foot landscaped setback be required where feasible on the interior lot lines.
3. The exit be designated right turn only.
4. Pedestrian access from the parking lot to the sidewalk be provided in the final plan.
5. That the Planning Director be given authority for final approval of the landscape plan and site drawings, including the curb cut on 300 West.
Ms. Kirk seconded the motion. Mr. Mariger, Ms. Short, Ms. Kirk, Mr. McRea, Mr. Fife, Ms. Funk, Mr. Smith and Ms. Barrows voted "Aye". Mr. lker and Mr. Christensen were not present. Mr. Young, as Chair, did not vote. The motion passed.
PUBLIC HEARING - Petition No. 400-97-31 by Salt Lake City Council representative. Deeda Seed. requesting that Federal Way Drive be closed 180 feet east of Wolcott Avenue at the University of Utah boundary to eliminate access from Federal Way to North Campus Drive.
Ms. Margaret Pahl stated that this petition was first heard on August 7, 1997. At that meeting, there was a motion to table Petition No. 400-97-31 until further study had been done and traffic calming options addressed before determining that closing Federal Way is the best option. Ms. Pahl then stated that, after further study, the City's Transportation Division firmly believes that closing Federal Way reduces the commuter traffic using local residential streets. This action and result is consistent with their goals as stated in the adopted Salt Lake City Transportation Master Plan. Ms. Pahl continued by stating that the Transportation Division would not recommend any specific traffic calming mitigation at this time, however, the Transportation Division is in the process of establishing a Traffic Calming Program, a draft copy of which is filed with the minutes.
Mr. Young opened the hearing to the public and asked if anyone wished to address the Planning Commission.
Ms. Susan Tillmen, a resident near the proposed closure of Federal Way, stated that her main concern is the traffic going to fast and also trying to avoid traffic calming measures already in place by "short cutting".
Mr. Daniel Greenwood, a resident on Federal Way, stated that he is in favor of the closure of Federal Way because the street is too narrow to handle all of the traffic that uses the street. Mr. Greenwood also stated that the speed of the traffic is too fast for the existing conditions.
Mr. Tom Rogan, Chair of the Greater Avenues Community Council, stated that the community council's position is in support of the closure of Federal Way.
Mr. Kenneth Smith, a resident on Federal Way, stated that he is in favor of the street closure because of the large amount of traffic that travels the street every day.
Ms. Kathy Melendez, a resident on Federal Way, stated that she is in favor of the street closure because of the narrowness of the street and that parking is allowed on both sides of the street. She then stated that the amount of space to travel on Federal Way is very small which makes it a hazard for the children.
Ms. Janice Ruggles, a resident near the proposed closure of Federal Way, stated that she is in favor of the street closure. Ms. Ruggles then stated that when the test closure was done, she did not notice a traffic increase in her neighborhood.
Mr. Darren Peterson, a resident near the proposed closure of Federal Way, stated that he is in favor of the street closure. Mr. Peterson also stated that he did not notice a traffic increase on his street during the test closure of Federal Way. He then stated that there are some wider streets that could handle the traffic easier, such as 1 00 South Street.
Ms. Kim Smith, a resident on Federal Way, stated that the proposal to close Federal Way is something that the neighbors have been working on for over a year and that after looking at possible traffic calming options, it was decided that closing Federal Way would be the most effective.
Mr. Bob Sanders, a resident on Federal Way, stated that he is in favor of the street closure because of the large amount of traffic that uses that street on a daily basis. Mr. Sanders then stated that he feels that the Traffic Calming Program will eventually help with the mitigation of the traffic.
Mr. Dan Franks, a resident near the proposed closure of Federal Way, stated that he is also in favor of the street closure.
Mr. David Jones, a resident on Federal Way, stated that he is in favor of the street closure due to the large amount of traffic that uses the street, which is a very narrow street. Mr. Jones stated that he feels that the arterial traffic should be moved to an arterial street, such as 100 South Street, instead of it being in a residential neighborhood.
Ms. Nancy Huntsman, a resident near the proposed closure of Federal Way, stated that she is in favor of the street closure due to the large amount of traffic that travels through the residential neighborhoods on a daily basis.
Upon receiving no further requests to address the Planning Commission, Mr. Young closed the hearing to the public and opened it for Planning Commission discussion.
Motion for Petition No. 400-97-31:
Ms. Funk moved to approve Petition No. 400-97-31 with the conditions that the Transportation Engineer be instructed to desynchronize the lights on 100 South from University Street to 700 East and that large, oversized signs, posting the speed limit, be placed on 100 South and that the visibility of the signs be improved. Ms. Funk's motion failed for lack of a second.
Mr. Mariger stated that he feels that the traffic calming recommendations made by Ms. Funk should first be studied by the Traffic Engineer before they become part of a motion.
Ms. Funk responded by stating that she feels that recommendations should be
made because the Traffic Engineer does not have an immediate solution at this time.
Mr. Smith and Ms. Kirk agreed with Mr. Mariger. Mr. Smith then stated that he would support a motion if it were to recommend that the Traffic Engineer study possible solutions rather than instructing them to implement solutions.
Mr. Kevin Young, Deputy Traffic Engineer, was present for this portion of the meeting. He stated that the Transportation Division does not look at desynchronizing traffic signals as a way to do traffic calming because it could defeat the purpose and put more traffic back into the neighborhoods to avoid the desynchronized lights. Mr. Young continued by stating that he feels that the standard size of speed limit signs are more than adequate to inform the drivers. There are more signs on 100 South then there are on other arterial streets. Mr. Young then stated that the drivers see the signs and they know the speed limit, they are just choosing not to go the speed limit.
Ms. Funk moved to forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council for Petition No. 400-97-31, closing Federal Way Drive between Wolcott Street and the University of Utah (east of the alley), with the following conditions:
1. That the Traffic Engineer study possible mitigation solutions for the additional cars that will be traveling on 100 South and come back to the Planning Commission within 60 days with their traffic calming recommendations.
2. That final design approval for the closure method be delegated to the Planning
Director. Mr. Mariger seconded the motion.
Ms. Short asked if the petition will be forwarded to the City Council for their action prior to the Traffic Engineer's recommendations being brought back to the Planning Commission.
Ms. Funk responded in the affirmative.
Mr. Mariger, Ms. Short, Ms. Kirk, Mr. McRea, Mr. Fife, Ms. Funk, Mr. Smith and Ms. Barrows voted "Aye". Mr. lker and Mr. Christensen were not present. Mr. Young, as Chair, did not vote. The motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
Request from Michael S. Leventhal for Cross-Star Development Group for a one year extension of time on Conditional Use No. 410-200, for a four unit residential planned development and preliminary subdivision approval for the project located at 700 South & Egli Court (717 East) in a Residentiai"RMF-35" zoning district.
Mr. Smith recused himself from this issue.
Mr. Wright presented the one year extension of time request to the Planning Commission.
Motion for Cross-Star Development, Group's one year extension of time (Conditional Use No. 41 0-200): Ms. Kirk moved to grant a one year extension of time on Conditional Use No. 410-200. Ms. Short seconded the motion. Mr. Mariger, Ms. Short, Ms. Kirk, Mr. McRea, Mr. Fife, Ms. Funk, Mr. Smith and Ms. Barrows voted "Aye". Mr. lker and Mr. Christensen were not present. Mr. Young, as Chair, did not vote. The motion passed.
East Bench Small Area Master Plan Subcommittee.
Mr. Young announced his resignation from the Planning Commission and that tonight's meeting will be his last.
Mr. Young has been a member of the East Bench Small Area Master Plan Subcommittee. Due to the resignation of Mr. Young, there is a need for at least one more Planning Commissioner to be on the Subcommittee. Mr. Mariger and Mr. McRea both volunteered to be on the Subcommittee .
Planning Commission Elections.
Ms. Funk moved to nominate Mr. Smith as Chairperson and Ms. Short as the Vice Chairperson of the Planning Commission during the next twelve months. Ms. Kirk seconded the motion. Mr. Mariger, Ms. Short, Ms. Kirk, Mr. McRea, Mr. Fife, Ms. Funk, Mr. Smith and Ms. Barrows voted "Aye". Mr. lker and Mr. Christensen were not present. Mr. Young, as Chair, did not vote. The motion passed.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.