Planning commission recommends allowing permeable gravel parking for Tracy Aviary site

The South Salt Lake Planning Commission on March 5 voted unanimously to forward to the City Council a proposal to amend Title 17 of the municipal code to allow permeable (gravel or other unpaved) parking in the Tracy Aviary Jordan River Nature Center District pending sign-off by the city engineer and the fire marshal.

City planning staff said the exception would apply only within the defined district and cited the parcel at 1111 West 33rd South as the likely location. Staff listed required submittals that applicants must provide before construction, including a traffic study, geotechnical and drainage reports, and formal approval by the city engineer and the fire marshal or their designees.

Staff told commissioners the change is intended to reduce hard surface area, fit the nature-district character and serve primarily as overflow parking used during events. The staff report recommended forwarding the amendment to council "based on the analysis and findings set forth in the staff report." (Staff did not give a personal name in the meeting.)

Applicants at the podium identified themselves as Angela Dean of AMD Architecture (designer) and Tim Brown, president and CEO of Tracy Aviary. Dean and Brown said the proposed parking was designed to drain to an onsite bioswale and to retain stormwater on site in accordance with city requirements. Brown said the project was planned with full buildout in mind and that the applicants have no present intention to expand parking beyond what was approved for the site.

Public commenter Oliver Peshman of South Salt Lake asked how parking stalls would be delineated on a gravel surface. Dean described methods used at other trailhead lots—physical striping or fastened barriers rather than painted lines—to mark stalls.

Commissioners asked whether the allowance could be used anywhere on the applicant’s property. Staff replied that any new or different location would require the applicant to return with the required technical documents and obtain approval from the city engineer and fire marshal. Commissioners also raised a concern that permeable surfaces could allow vehicle fluids to percolate into the soil and nearby river; staff said grading and engineering standards included in the proposal come from the city engineer to address runoff and infiltration.

Commissioner Peshman moved to forward the recommendation to City Council; Commissioner Spencer seconded. The commission approved the motion on a unanimous roll call vote.

The City Council is now scheduled to consider the ordinance amendment; the commission’s action was a recommendation and does not itself change the municipal code. If approved by council and implemented, the change would be limited to the Jordan River Nature Center District and would require the technical reports and agency sign-offs cited by staff.