South S.L., UTA reach zoning deal

SOUTH SALT LAKE — After 18 months of wrangling, South Salt Lake has granted a zone change for Utah Transit Authority property near the county jail.

The city will allow a business park and condos on the 60 acres at about 700 West and 3800 South. The vacant land had been zoned for apartments.

UTA's plans to build on the land in question have been sharply criticized by residents of a nearby condominium complex who wanted the land to either remain open space or become a residential neighborhood.

Wednesday's compromise included a development agreement by both UTA and the city. UTA has pledged to provide a 40-foot swath of landscaped property between the condos and the proposed business park.

UTA plans to add $140,000 to the tax rolls with the proposed business park, in addition to about 150 jobs. The public-private corporation will soon find a developer to build the project, said UTA director of real estate Steve Hansen.

— Rebecca Palmer