Planning staff propose consolidating 26 mixed‑use zones into six new MU districts; council asks for clarifications on design, setbacks and parking

Planning staff presented a comprehensive zoning consolidation package to the Salt Lake City Council describing proposed changes to the zoning ordinance and map that would merge 26 commercial mixed‑use and form‑based districts into six new mixed‑use districts (MU2, MU3, MU5, MU6, MU8 and MU11) and update standards for building forms, heights, setbacks, design review, open space and parking.

Why it matters: The proposal would reshape how mixed‑use corridors are regulated across the city, affecting building height allowances, frontage design requirements, required open space, design review thresholds, where by‑right development is allowed and how land currently mapped for industrial or general commercial uses (including some M1 and CG parcels) could be rezoned to MU districts.

Staff framed the effort as code simplification and predictability: the package aims to reduce 26 zones to six, make form‑based rules consistent by scale, and retain existing property rights where possible. Public engagement included multiple briefings, eight walking tours, two open houses (plus a youth open house), extensive mailed notice to property owners and office hours; planning staff also briefed the planning commission ten times and held multiple public hearings.

Key specifics reported by staff: - Consolidation and scale: MU2–MU3 are lower‑intensity (roughly 2–4 story scale); MU5–MU6 are mid‑scale (around 55–65 feet) and MU8–MU11 are the highest…