Proposals to rezoning the block around the Delta Center and Salt Palace Convention Center don’t include a heliport or building height restrictions, but it’s still possible that buildings up to 600 feet tall could be built in the area.
The zoning change is part of a downtown Salt Lake City redevelopment proposed by Smith Entertainment Group, which owns the Utah Jazz and the new Utah Hockey Club, and is being helped by nearly $1 billion in public funds through a sales tax increase approved by the City Council in July.
“This is another step in a very accelerated process and I think it’s been very stressful at times for everyone involved,” Councilman Darin Mano said, “but I’m excited about what this could mean for downtown, if it works out.”
After the original proposal received no recommendation from the City Planning Commission in June, SEG and the city’s Planning Department redid the plan. Highlights of the new proposal include a 600-foot maximum building height, changes to building setback requirements, and extending the Delta Center sign overlay to the surrounding blocks.
While 600 feet may sound high, it falls short of the building height limits allowed in other areas of the downtown core. Still, the tallest building in the city is the new Astra Tower, which stands at 451 feet and 41 stories.
The concern for the council doesn’t seem to be the height of the buildings, but when that extra level of review for tall buildings will kick in. The council has indicated it is adamant that any building over 200 feet tall will be subject to review by the Planning Commission. Smith Entertainment Group wants the height limit to be 250 feet.
“I think it would be more beneficial to hear from residents to consider it and apply those standards,” Councilman Chris Wharton said. “Given the purpose of this project and how important it is to our downtown, I would like to hear more input from residents.”
City council members unanimously supported the rezoning amendment in a vote on Aug. 13. Councilman Alejandro Puy was absent from the meeting.
Public reaction to the change at the city council meeting was mixed, with some residents concerned about the speed of the process, while others spoke in support of the proposal.
“We need to aim higher,” local business owner Jeff Carlton said.
“As a city, we want walkable, easy-to-shop streets with dining and entertainment opportunities. It’s the density that supports the small businesses that occupy the ground floors of these complexes.”
Others, like Mercedes Smith, a flutist with the Utah Symphony and a 3rd Ward resident, worry the project will get special treatment from the city.
“We need more checks and balances, not fewer, especially when taxpayer money is flowing to private companies,” she told lawmakers.
“I urge you to bring the development agreement to the Planning Commission no matter what. Subject SEG to the same rigorous process that non-billionaires have to go through.”
A project of this magnitude requires oversight, but Council President Victoria Petro said she was concerned about placing an undue burden on the Planning Commission.
“We’re going to consolidate the buildings that we present to the Planning Commission and consider a few at a time, rather than considering each building individually. [an] Administrative review is a green light in certain circumstances.”
The City Council could vote on the final rezoning plan as soon as Aug. 27.