Salt Lake City Neighbors Resist Rezone That Could Replace Historic Homes With Apartments

Longtime Residents Face Uncertain Future Amid Rezone Proposal

In Salt Lake City, some residents are worried about the possible demolition of three historic homes to make room for a new five-story apartment building. Ann-Michelle Neal, a local resident, cherishes the original character of her 1906 home on 800 East, which features elements like the original fireplace tiles. Now, her home is one of three properties at risk of being torn down for an apartment project called The Viv.

Overview of the Proposed Apartment Development

The property owner, Hardage Hospitality, is seeking a rezone and an amendment to the Central Community Plan to build a mixed-use development near 800 East and 400 South. The planned project would offer 109 apartments and ground-floor commercial space. To carry out this plan, three neighboring residential buildings, dating from 1901, 1906, and 1921 and located within a National Register historic district, could be demolished. These buildings currently house seven homes.

Impact on Local Households and Student Residents

Neal, who has lived in her house for three years with her daughter Amelia, a University of Utah pre-med student, said the transition could be difficult. Amelia benefits from the location: "It's a five-minute walk to TRAX to get to school. It also means she does not have to pay for student housing," she said. For both, the idea of moving sparks anxiety. Neal described the daunting task of searching for new housing: "When I open Zillow, that’s when I freak out. Instead, I try to focus on making this my home while I’m here." Next door, Christina Linsehoten said her family has started looking for another place but has not found suitable alternatives.

Community Pushback and Zoning Debate

Local resident Debora Wrathall is leading efforts against the rezone. Over 100 community members have supported her call to maintain the zonings on the three residential lots while welcoming new housing on the already mixed-use zoned corner property. Wrathall emphasized the importance of the agreed-upon Central Community Plan: "There’s a reason for the plan and everybody knows about it." She and others are asking the Salt Lake City Council not to amend the plan or rezone the lots.

Planning Commission and City Council Actions

The Salt Lake City Planning Commission made split recommendations on the requests: it narrowly recommended the rezone (4-3) but recommended against the community plan amendment (6-1), and tabled a related design review. On May 5, the Salt Lake City Council held a public hearing but had not voted on the proposal as of the latest updates. According to a Nov. 6 email from council staff, District 4 Council Member Jennifer Napier-Pearce was in negotiations with the developer. Neighbors have called for more inclusion in these discussions, with Wrathall stating, "I would appreciate being a part of the discussion."

Community Actions and Ongoing Discussions

Neighbors plan to gather Saturday at 800 East and Linden Avenue to express their opposition to the rezone and community plan amendment. For Neal, the debate is not just about buildings or density, but about the neighbors' lives and community history. She said, "When people talk about these things and this rezoning, they talk about parcels and they talk about capacity and density. They don’t talk about the people. This is where I live, and this is my home."

Source: fox13now.com.