After mixed reactions from residents around the property, the council approved the higher-density zone.

Nancy Saxton, the council member who represents that area, said the project would get rid of a medical office building, bring home owners into the neighborhood and encourage pedestrians to use the streetscape.

"We want people to be in the neighborhood, not only nine months of the year but 12 months of the year for the next 40 years," Saxton said, referring to the many University of Utah students who rent in the area. "We need to bring more people into the core of our city."

In other business, the City Council ratified a slight tax increase for the coming year. The rate, which will increase the tax on a $227,000 house (the city average) by $3.88 and by $31 on a $1 million business, will take effect with this fall's property tax bills.

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E-mail: kswinyard@desnews.com