Planning commission forwards zoning change to allow catering in ORD zone with pickup, off-site consumption only

The Cottonwood Heights Planning Commission on Oct. 1 voted to forward to the City Council a staff-initiated zoning text amendment (ZTA 25-002) that would allow catering services as a conditional use in the city’s Office, Research and Development (ORD) zone, limited to off-site consumption and allowing customer pickup.

The commission’s action, made during its business session and carried by voice vote, sends staff’s recommended text change—updating section 19.46.030—to council for final action. The motion, made by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner Steinman, passed with recorded “yes” votes from Commissioners Shelton, Mills, Lugo, Smith, Steinman and Anderson.

Staff told the commission the code currently permits restaurants or cafeterias that supply meals primarily to employees and guests in ORD but does not address businesses that operate commercial kitchens solely to prepare food for off-site delivery. "Allowing catering as a conditional use would enable the existing commercial kitchens to be well utilized," said Emma, planning staff, noting the amendment would allow the city to review impacts such as traffic, parking, odors and hours of operation before approving a use.

Commissioners and staff discussed details of the proposed definition and use standards. Commissioners asked that the terminology be consistent ("catering services" plural) and that the definition explicitly state that food must be consumed off-site or picked up by customers. Commissioner Smith moved the amendment to add pickup and to clarify that consumption is off-site; the commission agreed to add those edits before forwarding the recommendation.

Commissioners also asked staff how many properties the change might affect. Emma said she did not have an exact count but that there are "more than 3 or 4, but not dozens," calling out two larger ORD areas that would most likely be affected: the Cottonwood Corporate Center near I-215 and the Fort Union/1300 East office park, plus a few parcels near the freeway. Commissioners cited examples of existing businesses in the zone—staff referenced Knickerbocker's as an existing restaurant that operates primarily for employees—to illustrate how commercial kitchens are already present in some buildings.

Commission members weighed whether on-site customer pickup should be allowed in addition to delivery. Commissioners concluded pickup may be appropriate given the parking and ingress/egress in the ORD areas and directed staff to insert language that allows customer pickup while prohibiting on-site consumption to preserve the zone’s primarily office/research character.

The forwarded language will make catering a conditional use, preserving the city’s discretion to impose conditions addressing traffic, parking, odors, hours and other impacts when applications are reviewed by the city council and staff.

Next steps: the Planning Commission’s recommendation will go to the Cottonwood Heights City Council for public hearing and final action.