The Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission voted unanimously to deny an application to demolish a contributing building at approximately 1259 East 200 South (case PLNHLC2025-00919). The commission’s decision followed a staff recommendation to deny and a series of public speakers urging preservation.

Planner Seth Rios told the commission the 4-square bungalow, built in 1912 and listed as a contributing structure in the University Local Historic District, "conveys all seven aspects of historic integrity" identified by the National Park Service — location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association — and therefore remains a contributing resource. Rios said the applicant met only 2 of 5 demolition standards and staff recommended denial.

Logan Johnson of Wright Development Group, representing the property owner, acknowledged the commission cannot consider future development as part of the demolition review but said the developer had been unable to redevelop the neighboring gas station and filed the application to explore options. "If anyone felt like our arguments were misleading, it was not our intent," Johnson said, and offered to answer questions.

Dozens of written comments were included in the staff packet and multiple neighbors spoke in opposition during public testimony. William Grua, who said he has lived nearby for 30 years, said demolishing the house would "chip away" at the historic district boundary and alter the neighborhood’s character. Griffin Zote warned commissioners "when you sign your name on a proposal, it's your integrity on the line," and criticized elements of the application that he described as misleading about the building’s effective construction year and renovation history. Other speakers cited the 2015 city historic resources survey and the house’s role anchoring the residential edge of the district.

After public comment and an executive-session discussion of the staff report, an unidentified commissioner moved to deny the demolition application "based on the information presented and discussion" and in line with staff’s recommendation; another commissioner seconded. The Chair called a roll-call vote; Commissioners Abramson, Barnett, DeLay, Kearns, Simnani, White and the Chair voted aye. The motion passed unanimously and the commission denied the demolition request.

The denial applies only to the demolition request; any future redevelopment of the gas station or other parcels remains subject to separate land-use applications and additional review by the commission and other city processes. The commission indicated it will return a final, revised copy of its policies and procedures for adoption at a future meeting.