SALT LAKE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
Long Range Planning Issues Meeting
In Room 326 of the City & County Building
451 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah
Present from the Planning Commission were Chair Jeff Jonas, Vice-Chair Prescott Muir, Robert “Bip” Daniels, Babs DeLay, John Diamond, Craig Galli, Laurie Noda, Kathy Scott, and Jennifer Seelig. Tim Chambless and Peggy McDonough were excused.
Present from the Planning Staff were Planning Director Louis Zunguze, Deputy Planning Director Brent Wilde, Deputy Planning Director Doug Wheelwright, Principal Planner Ray McCandless, and Planning Commission Secretary Kathy Castro.
A roll is being kept of all who attended the Planning Commission Long Range Planning Issues Meeting. Chair Jonas called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. 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 THE MINUTES FROM September 30, 2003
Commissioner Scott made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Seelig seconded the motion.
Commissioner DeLay, Commissioner Diamond, Commissioner Galli, Commissioner Muir, Commissioner Noda, Commissioner Scott, and Commissioner Seelig voted “Aye”. Commissioner Daniels abstained. Jeff Jonas as Chair did not vote. Seven Commissioners voted in favor, one Commissioner abstained, and therefore the motion was approved.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR
Mr. Zunguze presented a list outlining the various Planning Commission Subcommittees and members. The Commission accepted the list.
Mr. Zunguze referred to the letter from the City Council Office which refers to the action taken by the City Council with regard to the rezoning petition of Gateway to allow department stores. He noted direction given by the City Council to the Planning Commission regarding this petition.
LONG RANGE PLANNING ISSUES
Presentation and discussion of the proposed “State Quality Growth Communities Initiative” from City Council Member Carlton Christensen and Mr. Dan Lofgren, members of the State Quality Growth Commission.
This item was heard at 5:37 p.m.
City Council Member Carlton Christensen and Mr. Dan Lofgren, members of the Utah Quality Growth Commission presented a power point presentation which outlined the purpose and intent of the Utah Quality Growth Initiative. City Council Member Christensen spoke of six areas of focus that the Utah Quality Growth Commission has established:
1. Local Government Responsibility
2. State Government Leadership
3. Conservation Ethic
4. Housing Opportunity
5. Economic Development
6. Efficient infrastructure
City Council Member Christensen outlined potential requirements for the Quality Growth Community designation.
Mr. Dan Lofgren noted that the Quality Growth Initiative has been created to give cities a coordinated plan of infrastructure. He hoped that this program will create a forum and incentive for neighboring communities to communicate with each other. Mr. Lofgren encouraged the Planning Commission to give the Quality Growth Commission feed back. He encouraged the Planning Commission to take the leadership role in earning the Quality Growth Community designation.
The Planning Commission commended the Utah Quality Growth Commission and gave feedback regarding the presentation and the Quality Growth Initiative.
Commissioner Seelig requested that the Planning Commission receive copies of the power point presentation. City Council Member Christensen and Mr. Lofgren said that they would provide the Planning Commission with copies.
Discussion regarding the Salt Lake City Open Space Master Plan for the area along Emigration Creek between 1100 East and 1900 East Streets.
This item was heard at 6:18 p.m.
Deputy Planning Director Doug Wheelwright spoke to the Commission regarding the history of the Open Space Master Plan and the adoption process. He read portions from the Open Space Master Plan and discussed the various maps that are a part of the Open Space Master Plan.
Principal Planner Ray McCandless spoke to the Commission regarding a proposed request by residents who neighbor the Emigration Creek Corridor between 1100 East and 1900 East. The request is to amend the Open Space Master Plan to relocate creek-side pedestrian trails. He discussed five different options that the Commission may choose to explore in regard to the residents’ request:
1. No change in the Open Space Master Plan.
2. Relocate trails to public streets or sidewalks.
3. Designate the location of the actual trail system now.
4. Implement stream corridor protection language.
5. Keep the Open Space Master Plan as is and add stream corridor protection language.
Mr. McCandless spoke of the advantages and disadvantages of all of the Staff suggested options.
The Planning Commission recommended that Staff bring back to the Commission a more definitive implementation strategy relevant to the Open Space Corridor. The Commission also agreed that the neighbors’ request should be heard separately.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There being no other unfinished business to discuss, the Planning Commission meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.