Biskupski looking for public input as city preps to rezone inland port area

Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, a critic of legislation creating the Utah Inland Port Authority since it was passed in the waning days of the 2018 general session, is seeking public input on zoning regulation for the port area.

HB2001 requires the city to update its zoning ordinance to support inland port uses before year-end. Biskupski has warned that the bill usurps tax and land-use authority from the city.

“The city loses its opportunity to regulate inland port uses if it does not adopt updated zoning regulations before the end of 2018; however, based on existing legislation, the Inland Port Authority Board continues to maintain final land-use authority within the designated inland port area,” the city said in a news release outlining the public input process.

The release said the city’s planning division would begin updating the zoning regulations in the port area “to strongly respect Salt Lake City’s values and community concerns.”

Supporters say the inland port — in an area south and southwest of the Salt Lake City International Airport — is one of the largest economic opportunities, if not the largest, that the state has ever faced. Its exact makeup is yet to be determined but it would be a center for warehousing and truck, train and air distribution. Critics have said the inland port legislation was developed too quickly, and some have expressed concerns about the port’s environmental impacts and the costs of its infrastructure needs.

As part of a six-week “engagement period,” the public can provide input about zoning at a community open house Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. at the Sorenson Unity Center, a planning commission public hearing Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the City and County Building, and at a planning commission public hearing and potential recommendation meeting Sept. 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the City and County Building.

“My administration will explore every possible opportunity to protect the city’s interests and our constitutional authority over how land is developed in our jurisdiction,” Biskupski said. “While we are being forced to expend tremendous effort and time to meet this arbitrary [Dec. 31] deadline, the troubling fact remains even our updated regulations can be overturned by the Inland Port Authority Board at any time.”

The release indicates that a main focus of the zoning change project will be to evaluate the types of uses that might be associated with an inland port and develop regulations that support the city’s sustainability and master plan goals. Most of the port area is in a light manufacturing, or M-1, zoning district and typical inland port uses are already allowed in the M-1 zone. “However, there are eight other zoning districts and six overlay districts located within the inland port area that may not currently allow uses associated with an inland port,” the release said.

The zoning project will look at improving air quality, minimizing resource use within the area, respecting and maintaining sensitivity to the unique natural environments in proximity to the area, identifying neighborhood impacts and community concerns, and adding inland port uses as permitted and/or conditional to the zoning districts that are located within the area.

“While we continue to explore our legal options, it is important that we update our zoning in the impacted areas to ensure our values are clearly defined prior to any significant action taken by the unelected Inland Port Authority Board,” Biskupski said. “This effort will also provide a meaningful way for the public to finally have their voices heard.”

The planning division also seeks input on how the city can address the standards that the inland port authority appeal panel is required to use related to impacts from an inland port use.  Those standards include:

• The potential environmental impacts inland port uses may have on air quality, surface water and groundwater.

• The extent to which an inland port use will apply the best available technology or systems to mitigate any environmental impacts.

• The potential impact an inland port use may have on abutting property owners and migratory birds.

Details about the project are at https://www.slc.gov/planning/2018/08/02/inlandport/.