Planning commission forwards positive recommendation for rezone at 247 North 800 West with family-size unit condition

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Planning Commission on April 9, 2025 voted unanimously to forward a positive recommendation to City Council on a zoning amendment request from property owner Marie Cruz for 247 North 800 West. Under the recommendation, the parcel’s front portion would change from R-1-7000 single-family zoning to R-1-5000 and the existing SR-3 (special residential) designation in the rear of the lot would be extended closer to 800 West.

Staff planner Seth Rios told the commission the proposed amendment would align with the city’s adopted plans that encourage infill and "missing middle" housing in appropriate locations and noted that staff recommends approval with conditions. "Staff is recommending that the planning commission forward a positive recommendation to City Council," Rios said.

The recommendation includes a community-benefit condition required by city code: at least 50% of any new units built under an approved rezoning must be family-sized, defined by Housing SLC as three bedrooms or larger. The commission also included a condition that, if the existing house is demolished, demolished-unit replacement standards identified in the staff report (referenced during the hearing) will apply.

Rios described similarities and differences among the zones: R-1-7000 and R-1-5000 allow detached single-family homes only, while SR-3 permits additional housing types such as duplexes, attached single-family dwellings (townhomes) and smaller lot widths suitable for infill. He said SR-3 reduces setback and lot-size standards to allow interior-block infill development. Rios also cited Plant Salt Lake and Housing SLC as the city plans that support sensitive infill in this block.

Applicant Marie Cruz told the commission she has lived in the house for about 25 years and has worked toward developing the property behind her home now that private roads and utilities have been installed. "I have lived in my house for about 25 years, and I raised my six children here," Cruz said, adding she plans to submit a plan-development application to build new homes and that she intends to participate in the homeowner association for the development.

During public comment, neighbor Paul McMullen said his family owns the lot immediately east of the subject property and said he did not object to the rezoning but raised concerns about access to Hoyt Place and the status of road and utility easements. McMullen said he believes the easements predate the Hoyt Place association and asserted property owners have rights to access the road and publicly owned utilities; he also said a contractor who did work on the utilities defaulted on the contract.

A member of the White Place design panel, Kip Myers, spoke in support and stated that certain utilities are private and in his name within Hoyt Place. Gaud Moragani, who identified themself as a member of the White Place design panel and a landowner at Hoyt Place, also spoke and supplied the commission with a copy of a 2018 site plan; the chair directed comments to remain focused on the rezoning application before the commission and not on unrelated HOA matters.

The city attorney (unnamed) clarified to the commission that matters outside the rezone request — such as HOA governance or other property parcels not part of the application — were not relevant to the legal criteria for the rezoning decision. Commissioners also noted that utilities and construction would still require the usual letters of approval and permits at the building-permit stage.

Commissioner Shearer moved to forward a positive recommendation to City Council, with conditions that at least half of any new units be three-bedroom family units and that demolished-unit replacement standards referenced in the staff report apply if the existing house is removed; Commissioner Christiansen seconded. The roll-call vote recorded Commissioner Christiansen, Commissioner Leverett, Commissioner Berry, Commissioner Shearer and the chair voting yes; the motion passed unanimously.

The commission’s action is a legislative recommendation; final approval rests with Salt Lake City Council, which will hold its own public hearing and review process.