Intermountain Health is seeking to construct an urban hospital on a property currently zoned against such facilities, prompting discussions at a recent city council meeting regarding necessary zoning amendments and community engagement. The proposed project includes a request for a text amendment to allow hospitals and ambulance services as conditional uses in the D1 zoning district.

Council members engaged with Intermountain representatives to explore potential community benefits, including plans for ground floor activation that would enhance public engagement. Proposed features include a minimum of one acre of open space, mid-block walkways, a year-round food truck park, a food market, a coffee shop, and a community room for nonprofit organizations. However, city planning staff noted that some proposed uses do not meet the active ground floor use requirements outlined in city code.

The council is set to vote on the proposed ordinances at their next formal meeting, with discussions highlighting the importance of ensuring that the hospital's design incorporates community needs and maintains access for neighboring properties during construction. Council members expressed a desire for a development agreement to solidify commitments to ground floor activation and community engagement, emphasizing that such agreements would bind the project to specific requirements.

Concerns were raised about balancing the hospital's operational needs with the goal of fostering a vibrant urban environment. Council members underscored the significance of the hospital's location for improving healthcare access in underserved areas, while also advocating for the preservation of local businesses and community spaces.

The council's discussions reflect a commitment to ensuring that the development not only meets healthcare needs but also contributes positively to the urban landscape, with a focus on long-term community benefits. A straw poll indicated unanimous support for pursuing a development agreement that would clarify expectations for ground floor activation and community engagement, pending further review by the planning commission.