The public is invited to comment on proposed zoning modifications for the downtown project of Smith Entertainment Group

Salt Lake City, Utah – Tuesday night, those in Salt Lake City who are interested in the proposed new downtown district by Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) had the opportunity to voice their opinions.

During the formal meeting of the Salt Lake City Council, more than twelve persons spoke both in person and remotely during the public discussion segment.
Many people voiced worries about the potential effects of zoning changes on locations such as Abravanel Hall.

“NHL sponsors like Mike’s Jersey Subs or Jägermeister might be promoted on the side of Abravanel Hall with a new sign overlay. “I wonder how often do we allow an entity to circumvent this important process?” asked Mercedes Smith, the Utah Symphony’s principal flute.

Similar to Smith, Lori Wike discussed the potential impact on Abravanel Hall of the proposed sign overlay.

“I ask that the council either exclude Abravanel Hall from the overlay or include it but exclude allowing advertising of events occurring at other locations,” Wike stated.

The D4 Secondary Central Business District zoning district would be modified by the ordinance. To assist with the establishment of a Sports, Entertainment, Culture, and Convention (SECC), this would be done.

The proposed zoning changes would include:

1. Modify the maximum height allowed through design review from 125 feet to 600 feet.
2. Modifying the required front and corner yard setback requirements are changing to clarify that buildings with plazas and other similar public spaces are allowed to exceed the maximum setback.
3. Change the table of allowed uses for the D4 zoning district would change as follows:

• Stadiums change from a conditional use to a permitted use.
• Commercial parking would be changed from a conditional use to a permitted use. (A current requirement prohibiting the demolition of a building for principal use parking on the property would remain.)

4. Expand the existing sign overlay that applies to the Delta Center to extend to the blocks that contain the Salt Palace. This allows more flexibility for signs related to the entertainment venues within the overlay and allows modifications to signs through the design review process for buildings that are subject to design review.

An agreement with the Smith Entertainment Group, which will inject nearly a billion dollars into the projected downtown zone, was approved by the council last month in a majority vote.

By raising the citywide sales tax, it would invest $900 million over the following 30 years to renovate the neighborhood surrounding the Delta Center and the arena itself. The 0.5% rise in sales tax can be implemented by the council until December 31st.

The Smith Entertainment Group projects that the renovation of the Delta Center, home of the Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club, will cost $525 million. The district would be developed at a cost of $375 million.

Apart from public finance, SEG projects invest a minimum of $3 billion in the downtown area.

While some have voiced concerns regarding the project’s proposed zoning modifications, others are expressing support.

A small business owner in Salt Lake City named Jeff Carleton stated, “I’m here to support the zoning amendment to increase the building height. The entertainment district shouldn’t have these arbitrary height restrictions.” “Please support the increase in building height and the other zoning requests that are attached to this.”

During the Tuesday work session, council policy analyst Nick Tarbet informed the council that they had until August 27 to accept the proposed zoning amendments in order to comply with the timeline set by state statute.