Salt Lake City held a public hearing on proposed amendments to the RMF‑35 (moderate-density multifamily) and RMF‑45 (moderate‑to‑high‑density multifamily) zoning districts, with planning staff framing the changes as intended to remove barriers that have prevented the zones from producing the housing types they were designed to allow.

Public testimony ran about ten speakers. Supporters, including Wasatch Advocates for Livable Communities and several residents, said the amendments would enable ‘missing‑middle’ housing types such as duplexes, cottage courts and small apartments and would advance the city’s housing, climate and transportation goals. Lauren Cole and Turner Bitton urged the council to adopt the updates to expand attainable options for residents.

Opponents and concerned stakeholders included historic‑district advocates and operators of service‑rich facilities. Cindy Cromer asked why community benefits are not required given potential windfalls to property owners; Jim Jenkin, land‑use chair for the Greater Avenues Community Council, cautioned that parts of the RMF‑35 zone overlap historic districts and warned the ordinance may not adequately protect historic character. Harold Woodruff and Sean McMillan, representing housing‑service providers (First Step House, Step House), urged exceptions or design refinements to address operational needs such as unit limits, building length standards and secure access for staffed facilities.

Council Member Wharton moved to close the public hearing and defer action to a future meeting to allow staff and council to follow up on questions raised by commenters, including potential adjustments related to service providers and historic districts. The motion passed unanimously.

Council members asked staff to return with additional information addressing the operational impacts raised by nonprofit housing providers and the historic‑preservation concerns identified by community councils.