Salt Lake City is proposing a sweeping new zoning code aimed at single family neighborhoods. The heart of the plan is to demolish functioning single-family homes in established neighborhoods, chop the property into 2,000 SF mini lots and build 1,200 SF dwellings.

Called Expanding Housing Options, it is being promoted by the city as a way to attract young and growing families within affordable margins. 

Yet residents across Salt Lake who have carefully studied the concept and who have formed an opposition coalition -- found something else: a number of disturbing facts that haven’t received much exposure. And these facts threaten to undermine one of Salt Lake’s most enduring assets – stable, cohesive, low-crime residential communities.

The greatest concerns are these

• Corporate investors can own, build and control these properties. This invites big money and the likelihood the properties will be rentals – inviting turnover and occupancy churn. By contrast, Salt Lake’s ADU regulation insisted on home ownership. 
• The most vulnerable targets are thousands of homes on Salt Lake’s west side that have raised generations, welcomed new immigrants and brought ethnic diversity to Salt Lake.
• Construction will be “by right.” Once approved, it can’t be stopped. Neighbors won’t be notified. 
• As yet the city has not provided any tangible evidence these new properties will be affordable or attract young families. A similar concept in Durham, N.C drew mostly young professionals, singles and empty nesters, not families
• There are no safeguards preventing speculative or investor-driven redevelopment from overwhelming established neighborhoods, especially older homes.
• There will be a loss of neighborhood character. 
  • Front setbacks will shrink to 10 feet. The traditional residential distance is 20-35 feet – the footage from the sidewalk to the front of the house.
  • Duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes – 30 feet high -- can be built next to single family homes anywhere – in any neighborhood.  Current SLC zoning codes typically restrict them to corners.
•  Increased parking and infrastructure demands are anticipated.

In proposing this plan, Salt Lake City has seemingly failed to realize that older neighborhoods are not empty land waiting to be redeveloped. They are homes and communities providing shelter, privacy, a place to raise children and an investment opportunity for future 

Few in the city know about the plan because communication from the planning division has been spotty and meager. A sweeping zoning change of this nature should not be adopted until residents have been fully informed and their concerns meaningfully addressed. 

Please sign our petition asking Salt Lake to pause this zoning proposal and join hundreds of Salt Lake residents who are a part of the Neighborhood Housing Alliance.  Visit neighborhoodhousingalliance.org for more details.

Follow @NeighborhoodHousingAlliance on Instagram and Facebook and share our content to spread the word and get more signatures.