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SALT LAKE CITY -- Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker is pushing dozens of zoning and ordinance changes in the name of the environment and sustainability.
Among the nearly 40 considered "priorities" is one to permit so called "granny flats" - or accessory apartments above garages and in basements." One permits narrower roads. Another lets residents sell the food they grow in their gardens. Yet another essentially establishes water budgets for businesses.
- Recycling and Waste Reduction
- Climate Change and Air Quality
- Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy
- Mobility and Transportation
- Open Space, Parks, and Trails
- Urban Forestry
- Water Quality and Conservation
- Food Production and Nutrition
- Community Health and Safety
- Housing Accessibility and Diversity
"It would be more, if you use more than this, it's going to cost you quite a bit of money, because then you're using more than your fair share," said Vicki Bennett, director of sustainability.
The idea is to prepare the city for the energy and environmental challenges of the future.
"The overall goal is to make it so the community is reaching into the 21st century as fast as we can," Bennett told KSL Newsradio Monday.
The idea goes well beyond apartments, roads and gardens. Becker hopes to require developments to adopt construction waste management plans, allow community gardens and green roofs to count toward open space requirements, and create incentives for neighborhood transit feeder systems.
"I have been told by our consultants and a number of people that we are the only city that is taking such a comprehensive approach all at once," Bennett said.
Bennett says many changes are going before the city council and many more are still being drafted.
"We're doing a comprehensive look at all of our ordinances and making sure that we don't have anything in the way of being the most sustainable community possible," Bennett said.
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
