Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan

468 Pages·2013·24.25 MB·English

M S
OTION HEET

CITY COUNCIL of SALT LAKE CITY

TO: City Council Members
FROM: Russell Weeks
Public Policy Analyst

DATE: November 12, 2013
RE: REVISED MOTION SHEET – Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan for the Sugar
House Business District

The motion sheet contains eight motions. The first six motions would adopt the Circulation
and Amenities Plan or parts of it. The last two either would delay adopting the entire plan or deny the
petition that initiated the plan. Two items are attached to the Motion Sheet.

MOTION 1

I move that the City Council adopt the ordinance as amended by the Council’s
motion on October 15 to adopt the Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan for the
Sugar House Business District.

This motion would adopt the remainder of the Circulation Plan as is.

MOTION 2

I move that the City Council adopt the ordinance as amended by the Council’s
motion on October 15 to adopt the Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan for the
Sugar House Business District with the following remaining amendments
recommended by the Salt Lake City Planning Commission:

CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY
451 SOUTH STATE STREET, ROOM 304 WWW.COUNCIL.SLCGOV.COM

P.O. BOX 145476, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84114-5476 TEL [phone] FAX [phone]
KYLE LAMALFA | DISTRICT 2 | COUNCIL CHAIR || JILL REMINGTON LOVE | DISTRICT 5 | COUNCIL VICE CHAIR || CARLTON CHRISTENSEN | DISTRICT
1 || STAN PENFOLD | DISTRICT 3 || LUKE GARROTT | DISTRICT 4 || CHARLIE LUKE | DISTRICT 6 || SØREN SIMONSEN | DISTRICT 7
o That as the “Shopko” area is redeveloped, small blocks are encouraged.
o That a parking study to come up with parking solutions for the Sugar
House Business District is encouraged.

This motion would adopt the plan with the two remaining amendments recommended by the
Salt Lake City Planning Commission.

MOTION 3

I move that the City Council adopt the ordinance as amended by the Council’s
motion on October 15 to adopt the Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan for the
Sugar House Business District with the following remaining amendments:

o That the provision in the Circulation Plan referring to a specific
realignment of Sugarmont Drive to Wilmington Avenue be omitted and
replaced with “an East/West connection through the business district.”
o That language in the Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan
be added that asks Salt Lake City Corporation to study the concept of a
Parking Authority, to include paid parking, for Sugar House. Implementation
should encourage parking terraces rather than surface parking to preserve
valuable land for development and open space, and a park and ride lot or
two that would promote the use of the streetcar.
o That more bicycle racks, and green bikes at the transit station, be added in
the Sugar House Business District.
The Sugar House Community Council adopted the above as separate motions November 6.
MOTION 4

I move that the City Council adopt the ordinance as amended by the Council’s
motion on October 15 to adopt the Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan for the
Sugar House Business District with the following amendments:

 That the Plan’s recommendation to divide large blocks into smaller ones, particularly in the
area bordered by Highland Drive, Wilmington Avenue, 1300 East, and Interstate 80 and
depicted in Figure 4.4-1 in the Plan, follow the recommendation of the Planning Commission
to further increase the street network and intersection density than what is depicted, and to
extend the established grid of north/south and east/west streets, some of which were removed
during prior redevelopment activity, as illustrated in the attachment to the City Council
Motion Sheet.

 That the extension of Wilmington Avenue through the Granite Block to Sugarmont Drive near
the intersection of McClelland Street and referenced in the Plan as Part 5.8 of Chapter 5 titled
Implementation Plan be moved from long-term implementation to short-term implementation
to facilitate any necessary property or right-of-way acquisition in conjunction with the
imminent development of the south end of the Granite Block, and consider funding from the
Sugar House Business District Redevelopment Agency Project Area as a potential revenue
source prior to the Project Area expiring in 2014.

2
 That language in the Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan be added to
include the concept of a Parking Authority and the possibility of paid parking for Sugar
House. Implementation should encourage parking terraces rather than surface parking, and
explore additional public parking and park-and-ride facilities that may reduce potential
parking impacts to nearby neighborhoods and promote the use of the streetcar.

 That additional bicycle racks be added throughout the Sugar House Business District, and that
Salt Lake City bike share be added at key streetcar stops and other activity nodes in the
Business District area.

Motion proposed by City Council Member Søren Simonsen.

MOTION 5

I move that the provision of the Circulation Plan referring to a specific
realignment of Sugarmont Drive to Wilmington Avenue be amended to read: The future
East/West connection through the Sugar House Business District should be examined
as redevelopment occurs or as necessary.

Motion proposed by City Council Member Jill Love.

MOTION 6

I move that portions of the Circulation Plan that say, “It is feasible to add a
bicycle lane (on 2100 South Street) through elimination of on-street parking between
200 East and 600 East on both sides of the street.,” be omitted and replaced with the
following amendment: Potential bicycle lanes on 2100 South Street between 200 East
and 600 East should be studied as part of the City’s Bicycle Master Plan, including the
future use of the Parley’s Canyon Greenway next to the “S” streetcar line as a
pedestrian-bicycle corridor.

MOTION 7

I move that the City Council defer action on this item until a later date.

This motion would delay Council action to give Council Members time to revisit any issues
involving the plan.

MOTION 8

I move that the City Council consider the next item on the agenda and deny
Petition No. PLNPCM2012-00799.

This motion would be used if the City Council determined not to adopt the Circulation and
Streetscape Amenities Plan. Because the plan was initiated as an addendum to the Sugar House
Community Master Plan, the City Council is required by law either to adopt or amend the plan or
deny the petition.

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November 7, 2013

TO: Salt Lake City Council

FROM: Judi Short, Land Use Chair
Sugar House Community Council

RE: Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape
Amenities Plan

On October 21, a combined meeting of the Sugar House Community
Council (SHCC) Land Use, Transportation, and Open Space committees was held. We had over 20
people in attendance. The agenda was to review and provide feedback to Boulder Ventures on Phase
II of the Granite block. After the presentation, a motion was made, and approved by the group. That
motion was presented last night at the November 6th meeting of the SHCC, and is included below.

The SHCC has been a strong advocate for re-establishing the Sugarmont/Wilmington connection,
which has been in the Sugar House Master Plan for many years. According to the plan, this should be
done as the south end of the Granite block redevelops. We are at that point now, and you all have set
aside funding for the streetcar to go along Sugarmont from McClelland to Highland Drive. The
recent Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan refers to this as more of a longer-term solution. It
would be very expensive to acquire land, there would be a big loss of commercial property, and the
intersection where McClelland, Wilmington, Simpson, Sugarmont, Streetcar and Parley’s Trail all
intersect would be challenging.

We are concerned that development on the south end of the Granite Block is poised to begin the
approval process in early 2014, and that dithering over this alignment could cause delays that we
cannot afford to have happen. It is important that the south end of the block get completed, so that
people riding the streetcar have a more welcoming area, more shopping options, more parking
options, so that the streetcar is successful. Holding up development, waiting to make the decision
about the realignment is not smart. And, this will be extremely costly.

Perhaps another option is to just let the Granite block redevelop now. We are hopeful that as the
Shopko block redevelops, the east/west connection can happen easily with a connection of Simpson
across Highland Drive, and up through the Shopko block, where the road was in the first place. This
option would not require acquisition of property, the road is already there, and might encourage the
Shopko block to put back Simpson Avenue to its historical location through the development and up
to 13th East. This could also take pressure off 21st South and provide another way for automobiles to
get through the business district and on to the freeway. There would still be the opportunity for
Sugarmont, Stringham, and Ashton Avenues to also be revived in a new development, along with
Elizabeth Street, 12th East, and Douglas Street. This would make an opportunity for more pedestrian
and automobile access through the Shopko block, which could do nothing but enliven the area. That
way, parking terraces and multi-story housing can be built, to allow space for more commercial space,
instead of a big sea of asphalt.

We think there is a willingness among the developers involved to put back as many streets as possible
through the business district, and felt that if we changed the reference to the Sugarmont/Wilmington
connection to a less specific statement “an East/West connection through the business district” we
would accomplish the same goal, which is to get traffic, both automobile and foot, moving throughout
the business district, rather than mostly on Highland Drive and 21st South, as we have now.
After much discussion about all of this, the following motions were made and passed last night.
1. MOTION: “I move we forward a recommendation to the City Council to modify a provision in
the Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan referring to a specific realignment of
Sugarmont to Wilmington and replace it with an East/West connection through the business district.”
a. Discussion: The Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan states “the realignment of
Wilmington and Sugarmont would create more accessibility and connections for the Sugar House CBD
area. The benefit of the realignment is more centralized to the core of Sugar House and is less of a
regional mobility benefit due to the “t”-intersections on both end of the route and 1300 East and 900
East.”
b. This specific realignment may no longer serve the purpose of reducing traffic from 2100 South and there
may be more benefit in allowing development plans for the south end of the Granite block to take place,
and gives more flexibility in establishing an alternate East/West connection to outweigh the
Wilmington/Sugarmont connection.
THIS MOTION PASSED 13 IN FAVOR AND 4 AGAINST

2. MOTION: I move that language in the Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan
be added that asks Salt Lake City Corporation to study the concept of a Parking Authority, to
include paid parking, for Sugar House. Implementation should encourage parking terraces
rather than surface parking to preserve valuable land for development and open space, and a
park and ride lot or two that would promote the use of the streetcar.
a. Discussion – The idea of “community parking” was first suggested in the Wikstrom Plan back in 1995.
Business owners continue to think of parking behind their building as only for their customers. If we are
going to be smart about saving land, and reducing the big sea of asphalt we have now, we should
encourage shared parking.
THIS MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 17 IN FAVOR – 0 OPPOSED

3. MOTION: I move that more bicycle racks, and green bikes at the transit station, be added in
the Sugar House Business District.
a. Discussion: As new properties develop, or remodeling is done, the property owners are required to
meet the Salt Lake City standard for number of bicycle racks. We need to find a way to
encourage/require more businesses to add bicycle racks. We will soon have 750 or more new residents
in our downtown, and convenient biking will be a great amenity, but not if there is no safe place to lock
up your bike.
THIS MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 17 IN FAVOR – 0 OPPOSED

The Sugar House Community Council urges you to make these changes, which will amend the Sugar
House Masterplan, as you approve and adopt the Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape Amenities
Plan. Thank you.
Sugar House Business District
o That as the “Shopko” area is redeveloped, small blocks are encouraged.
o That a parking study to come up with parking solutions for the Sugar
House Business District is encouraged.

This motion would adopt the plan with the two remaining amendments recommended by the
Salt Lake City Planning Commission.

MOTION 3

I move that the City Council adopt the ordinance as amended by the Council’s
motion on October 15 to adopt the Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan for the
Sugar House Business District with the following remaining amendments:

o That the provision in the Circulation Plan referring to a specific
realignment of Sugarmont Drive to Wilmington Avenue be omitted and
replaced with “an East/West connection through the business district.”
o That language in the Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan
be added that asks Salt Lake City Corporation to study the concept of a
Parking Authority, to include paid parking, for Sugar House. Implementation
should encourage parking terraces rather than surface parking to preserve
valuable land for development and open space, and a park and ride lot or
two that would promote the use of the streetcar.
o That more bicycle racks, and green bikes at the transit station, be added in
the Sugar House Business District.
The Sugar House Community Council adopted the above as separate motions November 6.
MOTION 4

I move that the City Council adopt the ordinance as amended by the Council’s
motion on October 15 to adopt the Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan for the
Sugar House Business District with the following amendments:

 That the Plan’s recommendation to divide large blocks into smaller ones, particularly in the
area bordered by Highland Drive, Wilmington Avenue, 1300 East, and Interstate 80 and
depicted in Figure 4.4-1 in the Plan, follow the recommendation of the Planning Commission
to further increase the street network and intersection density than what is depicted, and to
extend the established grid of north/south and east/west streets, some of which were removed
during prior redevelopment activity, as illustrated in the attachment to the City Council
Motion Sheet.

 That the extension of Wilmington Avenue through the Granite Block to Sugarmont Drive near
the intersection of McClelland Street and referenced in the Plan as Part 5.8 of Chapter 5 titled
Implementation Plan be moved from long-term implementation to short-term implementation
to facilitate any necessary property or right-of-way acquisition in conjunction with the
imminent development of the south end of the Granite Block, and consider funding from the
Sugar House Business District Redevelopment Agency Project Area as a potential revenue
source prior to the Project Area expiring in 2014.

2
 That language in the Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan be added to
include the concept of a Parking Authority and the possibility of paid parking for Sugar
House. Implementation should encourage parking terraces rather than surface parking, and
explore additional public parking and park-and-ride facilities that may reduce potential
parking impacts to nearby neighborhoods and promote the use of the streetcar.

 That additional bicycle racks be added throughout the Sugar House Business District, and that
Salt Lake City bike share be added at key streetcar stops and other activity nodes in the
Business District area.

Motion proposed by City Council Member Søren Simonsen.

MOTION 5

I move that the City Council defer action on this item until a later date.

This motion would delay Council action to give Council Members time to revisit any issues
involving the plan.

MOTION 6

I move that the City Council consider the next item on the agenda and deny
Petition No. PLNPCM2012-00799.

This motion would be used if the City Council determined not to adopt the Circulation and
Streetscape Amenities Plan. Because the plan was initiated as an addendum to the Sugar House
Community Master Plan, the City Council is required by law either to adopt or amend the plan or
deny the petition.

3
C S R
OUNCIL TAFF EPORT

CITY COUNCIL of SALT LAKE CITY

TO: City Council Members PROJECT TIMELINE:
Briefing: August 27, 2013
FROM: Russell Weeks
Set Date: September 3, 2013
Public Policy Analyst
Public Hearing: September 27

and October 15, 2013
DATE: November 7, 2013
Potential Action: October 15
and November 12, 2013
RE: Circulation and Streetscape Amenities
Plan for the Sugar House Business
District

Council Sponsor: Not Required for Petitions from Applicants
ISSUE AT-A-GLANCE

The Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan for the Sugar House Business District is intended as
an addition to the Sugar House Community Master Plan. If adopted by ordinance, the plan would guide how
people and vehicles, motorized and otherwise, would move through the Sugar House Business District.

The plan is designed for a business district that is experiencing three major changes:

 A significant increase of people living within it.
 “Streets that are approaching their effective motor vehicle capacity during peak hours of the
day.”1
 The imminent start of a streetcar line running between 221 West 2200 South in South Salt Lake
and McClelland Street and Sugarmont Avenue in Sugar House.

NEW INFORMATION

At its October 15 meeting the City Council adopted a motion to close the right-turn traffic
lane south of the Sugar House monument so it can be reconfigured as pedestrian space and to adopt
the Salt Lake City Planning Commission’s recommendation to remove references to the (second phase
of the) streetcar going into Monument Plaza. The City Council will consider adopting the remainder
of the proposed plan at its November 12 meeting.

CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY
451 SOUTH STATE STREET, ROOM 304 COUNCIL.SLCGOV.COM

P.O. BOX 145476, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84114-5476 TEL [phone] FAX [phone]
KYLE LAMALFA | DISTRICT 2 | COUNCIL CHAIR || JILL REMINGTON LOVE | DISTRICT 5 | COUNCIL VICE CHAIR || CARLTON CHRISTENSEN | DISTRICT 1
|| STAN PENFOLD | DISTRICT 3 || LUKE GARROTT | DISTRICT 4 || CHARLIE LUKE | DISTRICT 6 || SØREN SIMONSEN | DISTRICT 7
The Motion Sheet accompanying this report reflects previous City Council action. It also
includes motions proposed by the Sugar House Community Council and a City Council Member Søren
Simonsen. A letter from the Sugar House Community Council and a graphic depicting part of the
motion proposed by the City Council Simonsen is attached to the Motion Sheet.

Due to space limitations on the Motion Sheet, brief sketches of the additional motions follow:

Sugar House Community Council Motions
1. MOTION: “I move we forward a recommendation to the city council to modify a
provision in the Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan referring to
a specific realignment of Sugarmont to Wilmington and replace it with “an East/West
connection through the business district.”
Discussion: The Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan states “the
realignment of Wilmington and Sugarmont would create more accessibility and connections for the
Sugar House CBD area. The benefit of the realignment is more centralized to the core of Sugar House
and is less of a regional mobility benefit due to the “T”-intersections on both ends of the route and
1300 East and 900 East.”2
This specific realignment may no longer serve the purpose of reducing traffic from 2100 South
and there may be more benefit in allowing development plans for the south end of the Granite block to
take place, and gives more flexibility in establishing an alternate East/West connection to outweigh
the Wilmington/Sugarmont connection.
2. MOTION: I move that language in the Sugar House Circulation and Streetscape
Amenities Plan be added that asks Salt Lake City Corporation to study the concept of a
Parking Authority, to include paid parking, for Sugar House. Implementation should
encourage parking terraces rather than surface parking to preserve valuable land for
development and open space, and a park and ride lot or two that would promote the use
of the streetcar.
Discussion – The idea of “community parking” was first suggested in the Wikstrom Plan
back in 1995. Business owners continue to think of parking behind their building as only for their
customers. If we are going to be smart about saving land, and reducing the big sea of asphalt we have
now, we should encourage shared parking.
3. MOTION: I move that more bicycle racks and green bikes at the transit station be
added in the Sugar House Business District.
Discussion – As new properties develop, or remodeling is done, the property owners are
required to meet the Salt Lake City standard for number of bicycle racks. We need to find a way to
encourage/require more businesses to add bicycle racks. We will soon have 750 or more new
residents in our downtown, and convenient biking will be a great amenity, but not if there is no safe
place to lock up your bike.
City Council Member Motion
I move that the City Council adopt the ordinance as amended by the Council’s motion on
October 15 to adopt the Circulation and Streetscape Amenities Plan for the Sugar
House Business District with the following amendments:

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