The South Salt Lake City Council moved forward with two main steps in the development of Family Interim Non-congregate Children Housing development at 315 W. 3300 South. 

According to the South Salt Lake City Council agenda, Family Interim Non-congregate Children Housing facility (FINCH) means a facility that is owned, operated or contracted for operations, by a government entity or a charitable, nonprofit organization that provides free, temporary (on average, less than one year), non-congregate housing to families, which must include at least one minor child or one young-adult child who is still engaged as a student in the K-12 public school system, who are experiencing homelessness while the parents or guardians obtain work, job skills, or otherwise take steps to stabilize the family’s long-term housing circumstances.

The decision was made at the council meeting held Dec. 11 to approve a zone change from Transit Oriented Development to the FINCH Zone, which would enable the project to move forward. The original transit oriented development allowed for a mix of residential and commercial uses focused around public transportation. With the new FINCH zoning, it is more centered around family homelessness. 

They also approved an ordinance amendment to create the new FINCH zone and establish standards for the development. This includes a new definition for Family Interim Non-congregate Children Housing facility. The ordinance establishes specific regulations and standards for the development and operation of the facility. It also outlines requirements for on-site management, security and a comprehensive management plan to mitigate potential impacts on the surrounding community. The regulations are as follows: 

• The FINCH facility shall conduct all operations within an enclosed structure; 

• Serve only properly registered families who qualify for residency;

• Provide adequate staffed, 24-hour on-site management; 

• Provide adequate staffed, licensed and bonded private security (or properly trained off-duty police officers) to minimize the demand on public emergency services providers; 

• Participate in and support the city’s comprehensive management plan to prevent the deterioration of public health and public safety in the vicinity as a result of the use, the potential for loss of community in the neighborhood, the deterioration of public assets or the devaluation of private property. 

Jonathan Weidenhamer, the community and economic development director, said the city has been working with the applicant, Shelter the Homeless, to finalize all the details and ensure a smooth transition from TOD to a FINCH zone. 

Following Weidenhamer’s presentation, Councilmember Natalie Pinkney made a motion to approve the changes and move forward with the FINCH development. The final step in the process will be the conditional use permit to be discussed with the Planning Commission. That meeting is scheduled to take place on Jan. 16. λ