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Council staff preview rezoning of two-block Rio Grande district to enable taller downtown development
Summary
A mayor-initiated CRA petition would rezone 32 parcels in the Depot District from Gateway Mixed Use to D-4, raising by-right heights and adding design-review triggers for taller buildings; planning staff said the change aligns with Plan Salt Lake and the CRA vision.
CRA and planning staff briefed the council on a master-plan and zoning map amendment that would rezone roughly two blocks between 500 West and 600 West (200–400 South) from Gateway Mixed Use to D-4 (Secondary Central Business District). Staff said the amendment incorporates the Rio Grande District vision into the downtown plan, increases allowable heights (D-4 permits 200 feet by right and design review above 200 feet), and emphasizes sustainability, arts campus elements, mid-block walkways and a festival street concept for 300 South.
Wayne Mills, CRA senior project manager, said the rezoning is intended to match the CRA's implementation plan and avoid conflict with future corridor improvements; he told councilmembers "our intent is to do a ground lease for CRA owned properties. We retain the ownership, and then we can, kinda continue to have control and collect certain fees to help long term maintenance." Council members raised questions about right-of-way, existing transit plans and how the rezoning would affect future curb cuts and 500 West corridor planning. Planning staff noted the planning commission unanimously recommended the petition in October 2025 and that the council has a public hearing scheduled March 10 with tentative action March 24.
