Planning Commission Meeting - 09/09/2026

The Salt Lake City Planning Commission held a meeting on September 9, 2026, primarily focused on zoning and housing policy proposals aimed at addressing the city's housing shortage. Key procurement-related discussions included a zoning map amendment for properties on West Van Burren and West Harris, with staff recommending a positive recommendation to the city council subject to conditions limiting density and preserving neighborhood character. The commission debated the merits and concerns of the amendment, including spot zoning and tenant relocation assistance. The meeting also extensively covered the "Expanding Housing Options" (EHO) text amendment, a city council-initiated zoning reform to allow more small lot dwellings and missing middle housing types across multiple residential zones. Staff presented the proposal's goals, public engagement efforts, and technical details such as building height, setbacks, and parking requirements. Public comment featured diverse viewpoints, with many supporting the EHO as a means to increase affordable and attainable housing, while others raised concerns about infrastructure capacity, neighborhood character, displacement, and the potential for increased rentals versus homeownership. Due to a public hearing noticing error, the commission voted unanimously to table the EHO item to a later date and keep the public hearing open for further input. The meeting concluded with procedural votes to retain the chair and vice chair positions. No contract awards, vendor selections, or budget allocations were discussed during this meeting.