The Salt Lake City Council considered a proposal to rezone several city-owned properties located at and around Ballpark, specifically near 1300 South and West Temple. The proposed changes aim to enable redevelopment aligned with the Community Reinvestment Agency's Ballpark NEXT Community Design Plan.
The proposal sought to rezone various city-owned properties from Public Lands and RMF-35 to Mixed-Use 8 (MU-8) and Mixed-Use 5 (MU-5). Under the plan, buildings fronting the south side of 1300 South between West Temple and Main Street would be required to have active ground-floor uses, such as restaurants or retail. Additionally, the proposal intended to remove Ballpark-specific sign rules so that signs on the site would follow standard MU-8 and MU-5 requirements.
During a public hearing held on Aug. 18, several community members spoke regarding the proposal. Many comments focused on the necessity of protecting and preserving green space. Other concerns raised included the potential impacts of increased density on nearby homes, safety issues, and the protection of the southern residential edge. Commenters also requested that implementation remain responsive to community needs and flexible.
On March 11, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the proposal. During a July 14 briefing, city staff provided an overview of the plan, while council members raised concerns regarding proposed extra height and its compatibility with the surrounding area. During that briefing, the Council took a straw poll regarding the application of MU-8 rather than MU-11 for the parcels.
Council Member Carlsen acknowledged community input and addressed concerns regarding the public ownership of the site and the preservation of a portion of Richard Street as a pedestrian street. She also expressed a need to maximize green space and find creative solutions to reduce climate impacts during the implementation of the Ballpark NEXT Community Design Plan.
The Council was expected to vote on the proposal at a future meeting.
