In the Avenues, Capitol Hill and Wasatch Hollow (between 1300 East and 1900 East, and 1300 South 1700 South) homes can only be built to 23 feet or the average height of homes on the same block face. People who want to go higher will have to go through the public administrative process. In that process, a zoning administrator will decide whether the proposed project will be allowed. The property owner could then appeal that decision to the Board of Adjustment.

The 23-foot restriction in the Avenues, Capitol Hill and Wasatch Hollow will expire in six months. After that time, those neighborhoods are expected to come back to the City Council with more specific proposals for their neighborhoods.

The council did limit the height of a home's outer wall to 20 feet if it is built to the minimum setback. If homeowners move farther away from the minimum setback they can build their outer wall proportionately higher.

Demolitions are now defined as ripping down at least 75 percent of a building. Demolished homes could be rebuilt to their former size or according to the new rules.

Additions could be built, but they would be subject to the new building rules. Also, garages and other accessory structures can only be built 17 feet high.

The council also passed some intent language that the city administration make the process to gain exceptions to the new rules as "user friendly, clear, predictable and flexible as possible."

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com