The Housing Authority of Salt Lake City (HASLC) is making significant strides in its development plans just weeks after securing a lease for its new headquarters in the Ballpark neighborhood.
Recently, HASLC submitted a request to Salt Lake City for the consolidation of several parcels and an upzone to MU-5, which would permit a maximum building height of 55 feet.
Currently, much of the land is zoned as RMF-35, limiting the building height to 35 feet.
This new request aims to transform the housing authority’s current headquarters at 1776 S. West Temple, along with nearby vacant land, into approximately three new buildings boasting between 250 and 280 units of affordable housing, complete with resident amenities.
The project’s narrative indicates that, under existing zoning and subdivision guidelines, the subject parcels do not provide sufficient density.
Additionally, property lines and setbacks significantly increase development costs while decreasing the project’s yield.
This proposed application aims to align with the Housing Authority’s mission, as well as Salt Lake City’s goal of enhancing affordable housing options within the community.
Visual renderings submitted alongside the application provide a preliminary glimpse of the potential development, suggesting that some existing HASLC units could be demolished to make way for the new buildings.
Notably, the renderings indicate that the current site of Jefferson Circle, a 20-unit multifamily complex, may be included in the redevelopment.
The narrative asserts that the rezone would lead to a net increase of approximately 230 to 260 affordable housing units.
HASLC already operates nearby housing developments, such as Taylor Gardens and Taylor Springs.
Though preliminary, the submitted renderings show two types of proposed housing: larger builds featuring four floors topped with ground-level parking, and shorter units positioned outside the designated rezone area.
The project narrative specifies that locating parking areas on the ground floor will help mitigate the urban heat island effect.
However, achieving these benefits relies on the consolidation of property lines and setbacks, alongside the increased building height permitted by the requested re-zoning.
The intended developments also aim to include amenities for residents on the ground floor, with plans for family-sized apartments as indicated in the project narrative.
These recent developments shouldn’t come as a surprise; earlier this summer, HASLC finalized a lease to occupy the Oquirrh School building located at 350 S. 400 E.
As of now, some staff have begun relocating to the new Central City office building, with all personnel expected to be settled in by October, per information relayed by Daniel Nackerman, the executive director of HASLC.
Nackerman previously mentioned that the West Temple site could potentially feature market-rate apartments and townhomes geared towards first-time homebuyers.
The project may also include ground-floor retail space, although specifics around this aspect remain unclear in the provided documents.
Nackerman expressed enthusiasm about collaboration with neighborhood residents, emphasizing that the project represents a positive integration of housing in a traditionally residential area, rather than situating an office building amidst homes.
The planned development site is just blocks away from another significant project—the redevelopment of Smith’s Ballpark—which is set to introduce a new library, fire station, hotel, and numerous housing units.
As of now, the timeline for both the rezone application review by the Salt Lake City Planning Commission and City Council, as well as the potential construction timeline for HASLC, remains uncertain.
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