17.03.230 - Tracy Aviary's Jordan River Nature Center (JRNC) District.

A.

Purpose. The Tracy Aviary's Jordan River Nature Center (JRNC) District provides Development standards for a Nature Center within the City.

B.

Establishment. The JRNC District is established to:

1.

Provide a tailored Development, design, and Use framework appropriate for a new Nature Center proposed within the City;

2.

Specifically support and increase the Use, awareness, understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the natural environment within the City; and

3.

Facilitate the investment of future legislative appropriations in a manner consistent with state-level directives.

C.

Applicability. The development of the JRNC shall comply with the provisions of this Code.

D.

Uses. A single Nature Center shall be the only Primary Use allowed.

1.

The JRNC Nature Center may include the following:

a.

A visitor education center shall be the Primary Structure at the JRNC Nature Center and shall be located at the corner of 3300 South and 1000 West. The visitor education center shall include the following accessory uses:

i.

Guest services;

ii.

Admissions and memberships;

iii.

Rental equipment including camping gear, boats, bikes;

iv.

Retail spaces/a nature store;

v.

Food service;

vi.

Educational spaces/ animal displays;

vii.

Office spaces/conference rooms;

viii.

Employee Housing Dwelling Units;

ix.

Event space;

x.

Secured gates;

b.

A secured clientele parking lot with access from 1000 West;

c.

A secured staff parking lot with access from 3300 South;

d.

Landscaping featuring native and/or xeric plantings;

e.

Secured internal restroom facilities;

2.

The JRNC Nature Center may include any of the following accessory uses interior to the Nature Center:

a.

Additional educational spaces;

b.

Wildlife viewing Structures;

c.

Amphitheater;

d.

Shade pavilions

e.

Plazas;

f.

Photovoltaic Solar Energy Systems;

g.

Electric vehicle charging stations;

h.

A variety of gardens including edible and pollinator gardens;

i.

Children play areas;

j.

Live animal enclosures/displays - no venomous animals permitted;

k.

Secured outdoor recreational equipment storage;

l.

Other Nature Center programming.

E.

Standards.

1.

Operator/manager. The JRNC Nature Center shall be operated and managed by a single operating/managing entity - Friends of Tracy Aviary, a Utah non-profit corporation. No entity other than the Applicant may be substituted for the operator/manager of the Nature Center.

2.

The Nature Center site plan:

a.

The JRNC Nature Center shall generally be configured as depicted below:

_____

F.

Operations:

a.

The JRNC Nature Center may operate for a maximum of twenty (20) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.

b.

The JRNC Nature Center may hold special events with additional evening hours but in no case later than 12:00 a.m.

G.

Programming.

a.

The Nature Center shall provide staff-directed experiences and staff-hosted group events for up to a maximum of 2,000 individuals at a time.

b.

Specialty Recreational Installations shall be operated and staffed during all regular open hours and shall exclusively be operated and managed by the Nature Center's staff, which may be supplemented by trained volunteers.

H.

Security and management. In addition to complying with Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, any Use shall incorporate plenary operation and management practices to prevent and mitigate adverse onsite behavioral issues, including:

1.

The operator/manager shall employ private security personnel to ensure that the Nature Center offers the general public welcoming and engaging spaces and that it is not occupied during off-hours.

2.

Staff. The JRNC Nature Center operator/manager shall have at least five of its staff member's onsite during operating hours.

3.

Lighting. The JRNC Nature Center shall submit a photometric study for the City's review and evaluation. The installation of lighting at the JRNC Nature Center shall feature strategically located internal light fixtures across the site to maximize dark-sky compliant night-time visibility and illuminated exterior surfaces.

4.

Cameras. The JRNC Nature Center shall direct appropriate video camera surveillance onto each Building within the site. The operator/manager shall continuously record activity in the vicinity of each Building and its immediate surrounding area to deter vandalism and ensure the protection of the Nature Center property and shall preserve such recordings for a minimum of 30 days.

5.

Electrical outlets. All power outlets shall be located inside a Structure, to the maximum extent possible; any power outlets located outside shall employ locking covers and shall remain locked or turned off when not in use by Nature Center staff or volunteers. No electrical outlets shall be accessible from the exterior of the JRNC Nature Center fence line.

6.

Fencing and foliage. The JRNC Nature Center site shall install and enclose its perimeter with an eight-foot (8') climb-deterrent, black, PVC-coated, welded-wire mesh fencing. The fence shall incorporate six (6) exterior gated entry points: one (1) primary access-controlled pedestrian gate located near the Visitor's Center entrance off 1000 West; two (2) access-controlled pedestrian gates located off the Jordan River Trail; one (1) access-controlled vehicular gate securing the clientele parking lot along 1000 West; one (1) access- controlled vehicular gate securing the staff parking lot along 3300 South; one (1) access-controlled pedestrian gate for public safety access along 3300 South. These gated entry points shall match the height of the fence and style of the fence. All gates shall comply with standards of the South Salt Lake Fire Marshal.

7.

Landscape maintenance. The Nature Center shall install and maintain exterior landscaping along the fence and abutting public right-of-ways by trimming, pruning, and maintaining plants as required.

8.

Restroom facilities. Only Nature Center staff and guests shall have access to restrooms. All restrooms shall be internal to the JRNC project area. There shall be no public access to restrooms.

9.

Anti-graffiti. The Applicant shall apply an anti-graffiti coating on all vertical, exterior surfaces within five (5) feet of the perimeter fence. The Applicant shall promptly remove any graffiti within the JRNC District.

10.

Site management. The Nature Center operator/manager shall contract with a licensed and bonded private security company to conduct at least two (2) site visits to the Nature Center per night, at random hours. The operator/manager shall contract with a licensed and bonded private security company, as needed, to provide security for large events and other identified security needs. The operator/manager shall ensure all Structures are reasonably secured against unauthorized access.

11.

Waste management. All waste container enclosures shall be secured and located interior to the JRNC Nature Center fence line. All waste containers shall be emptied regularly into aggregate collection containers to prevent onsite litter and unsightly collection of discarded items.

I.

Design and Construction. The following Design Guidelines and construction requirements shall apply to the JRNC Nature Center:

1.

Civil improvements.

a.

The JRNC Nature Center shall comply with all South Salt Lake Engineering standards found in Title 17.10.

b.

Site Development shall be designed and graded to meet MS4 permit standards, all to the City's Engineering standards.

c.

Berms. Berms are permitted in the JRNC Nature Center subject to South Salt Lake Engineering approval. All berms shall be located interior to the development and shall be no higher than the perimeter fence.

d.

Interior Pathways. All Interior pathways shall comply with the minimum widths and weight requirements as required by the South Salt Lake Fire Marshal.

a.

Primary pathways. Primary pathways shall be constructed of concrete or asphalt.

b.

Secondary pathways. Secondary pathways shall be constructed of compacted gravel or another similar material.

c.

Tertiary pathways. Tertiary pathways are constructed of dirt or other natural materials.

_____ e.

Parking, Access and Circulation Requirements. Refer to Title 17.06.

f.

Flood plain/Jordan River Diversion. Any changes impacting the flood plain or alteration to the flow of location of the Jordan River shall be reviewed and approved by South Salt Lake Engineering, the Salt Lake County Flood Control, the Army Corps of Engineers and any other applicable County, State or Federal agency.

g.

Curb cuts. As part of the development of the JRNC Nature Center, all unused curb cuts located along 3300 South and 1000 West shall be removed and replaced with the appropriate infrastructure including curb, gutter, and sidewalk.

h.

Public Right-of-Way Sidewalk. 3300 South and 1000 West shall have a five (5) foot sidewalk abutting back of curb along the entirety of the 3300 South and 1000 West frontage. No parkstrips are permitted.

2.

Architectural standards. All Structures shall have a similar architectural design and style throughout the JRNC Nature Center.

a.

Visitor Education Center.

i.

Area. The visitor education center may have a maximum Gross Floor Area of 18,000 square feet.

ii.

Maximum Height. The maximum Height shall be 55 feet.

iii.

Required Setbacks. The visitor education center shall have a 15 feet maximum setback from both 3300 South and 1000 West.

iv.

Residential Density. The maximum Density for any Employee Housing Dwelling Unit located within the visitor education center Structure shall be one dwelling unit per acre. The Employee Housing Dwelling Units are restricted to occupancy by JRNC staff only.

a.

Location. Employee Housing Dwelling Units shall be located within the upper floors of the visitor education center Structure. Employee Housing Dwelling Units shall be internally accessed, and access controlled.

b.

Layout. Employee Housing Dwelling Units shall be dorm style with living quarters containing a number of private or semiprivate rooms for residents with shared kitchen/dining area and shared restroom/shower facilities.

c.

Amenities. The following amenities shall be provided for the Employee Housing Dwelling Unit:

i.

Secured on-site parking

ii.

On-site laundry

d.

Short-term rentals are prohibited.

v.

Design Standard Regulations.

a.

The visitor education center shall be a permanent Structure.

b.

Frontage/Orientation. The visitor education center shall be located at the corner of 3300 South and 1000 West.

c.

Primary Entrance. The Primary Entrance of the visitor education center shall be located internal to the access-controlled clientele parking lot located on 1000 West.

d.

Façade. Each Façade of the visitor education center shall display the same level of architectural detail and transparency.

e.

Materials. The visitor education center shall consist of the following exterior Primary Materials: painted steel, plaster, stone, and architectural metal.

f.

Roofs. The visitor education center shall have a roof clad in standing seam metal or a low-slope membrane or a material of similar quality and durability.

g.

Loading and Service Areas. Any loading or service area shall be located internal to the access-controlled clientele parking lot located on 1000 West.

b.

Specialty Recreational Installation - pavilions.

i.

Area. Pavilions may have a maximum Gross Floor Area of 2,000 square feet.

ii.

Maximum Height. The maximum Height shall be 18 feet.

iii.

Location. All pavilions shall be interior to the JRNC Nature Center fencing.

iv.

Design Standard Regulations.

a.

Pavilions shall be a permanent Structures.

b.

Materials. All pavilion Structures shall consist of the following exterior Primary Materials: painted steel and wood.

c.

Roofs. All pavilions shall have a roof clad in standing seam metal or a low-slope membrane or a material of similar quality and durability.

c.

Specialty Recreational Installation - eco learning lab.

i.

Area. Eco learning labs may have a maximum Gross Floor Area of 2,000 square feet.

ii.

Maximum Height. The maximum Height shall be 22 feet.

iii.

Location. All eco learning labs shall be interior to the JRNC Nature Center fencing.

iv.

Design Standard Regulations.

a.

Eco learning labs shall be permanent Structures.

b.

Materials. Eco learning lab Structures shall consist of the following exterior Primary Materials: painted steel, plaster, stone, wood, and glass.

c.

Roofs. Eco learning labs shall have a roof clad in glass and standing seam metal or a low-slope membrane or a material of similar quality and durability.

d.

Specialty Recreational Installation - animal barn and service area.

i.

Area. Animal barns and service areas may have a maximum Gross Floor Area of 2,000 square feet.

ii.

Maximum Height. The maximum Height shall be 20 feet.

iii.

Location. All animal barns and service areas shall be interior to the JRNC Nature Center fencing.

iv.

Design Standard Regulations.

a.

Animal barns and service areas shall be a permanent Structures.

b.

Materials. Animal barns and service area Structures shall consist of the following exterior Primary Materials: timber, wood, plaster, and architectural metal.

c.

Roofs. Eco learning labs shall have a roof clad in standing seam metal or a low-slope membrane or a material of similar quality and durability.

d.

All animal enclosures shall comply with Title 6 and shall be approved by South Salt Lake Animal Services.

e.

Specialty Recreational Installation - observation tower/wildlife viewing blind.

i.

Area. Observation towers/wildlife viewing blinds may have a maximum Gross Floor Area of 1,000 square feet.

ii.

Maximum Height. The maximum Height shall be 35 feet.

iii.

Location. All observations towers/wildlife viewing blinds shall be interior to the JRNC Nature Center fencing.

iv.

Design Standard Regulations.

a.

Observation towers/wildlife viewing blinds shall be permanent Structures.

b.

Materials. The observation tower and wildlife viewing blind Structure shall consist of the following exterior Primary Materials: painted steel, painted composite siding, metal, and wood.

c.

Roofs. The observation tower and wildlife viewing blind shall have a roof clad in standing seam metal or a low-slope membrane or a material of similar quality and durability.

f.

Specialty Recreational Installation - conservation base station.

i.

Area. Conservation base stations may have a maximum Gross Floor Area of 1,000 square feet.

ii.

Maximum Height. The maximum Height shall be 20 feet.

iii.

Location. All conservation base station Structures shall be interior to the JRNC Nature Center fencing.

iv.

Design Standard Regulations.

a.

Conservation base stations shall be permanent Structures.

b.

Materials. The conservation base station Structure shall consist of the following exterior Primary Materials: plaster, wood, and metal.

c.

Roofs. The conservation base station shall have a roof clad in standing seam metal or a low-slope membrane or a material of similar quality and durability.

g.

Specialty Recreational Installation - amphitheater.

i.

Maximum Height. The maximum Height shall be 20 feet.

ii.

Location. All amphitheater Structures shall be interior to the JRNC Nature Center fencing.

iii.

Design Standard Regulations.

a.

The amphitheater shall be a permanent Structure.

b.

Materials. The amphitheater Structure shall be consistent with other exterior materials found in the JRNC Nature Center.

c.

Roofs. The amphitheater shall have a roof clad in standing seam metal or a low-slope membrane or a material of similar quality and durability.

h.

Accessory Structures. Structures serving as an appropriate Accessory Use may be prefabricated, including up to ten (10) container structures onsite.

i.

Area. Accessory Structures may have a maximum Gross Floor Area of 1000 square feet.

ii.

Maximum Height. The maximum Height shall be 20 feet.

iii.

Location. All Accessory Structures shall be interior to the JRNC Nature Center fencing.

iv.

Design Standard Regulations.

a.

All Accessory Structures shall be permanent Structures and affixed to a foundation.

b.

Materials. Accessory Structures shall be consistent with other exterior materials found in the JRNC Nature Center. Metal shipping containers may be used as architectural elements in Accessory Structures. Nature themed murals are permitted.

c.

Roofs. Accessory Structures shall have a roof clad in standing seam metal or a low-slope membrane or a material of similar quality and durability.

3.

Parking, Access and Circulation Requirements. The JRNC Nature Center shall comply with all provisions of the Parking, Access and Circulation Requirements of Article II of Title 17.06, unless the following exception is approved. Work shall not commence on Parking Lot improvements until the City has approved such improvements and issued a Building Permit.

a.

Exception. Parking Lots in the JRNC District may be a permeable surface if the requirements set forth below are met and the exception is approved by both the City Engineer and the Fire Marshal or their designee in accordance with applicable Engineering standards, and any applicable Building or Fire Codes as adopted by the City. This includes any of the applicable provisions outlined in the Parking, Access and Circulation Requirements of Article II of Title 17.06.

i.

Standards. The following standards must be met in order to install a Parking Lot consisting of a permeable surface as stated above.

a.

The permeable surface must be all-weather and engineered to support the minimum vehicle load of 80,000 pounds for fire apparatus.

b.

The grading requirements must be as follows.

Grading Requirements and Plasticity for Gravel Requirement Sieve Gravel Surfacing Percent Passing

1" N/A

¾" 100

½" N/A

No. 4 50—78

No. 8 37—67

No. 40 13—38

No. 200 4—15

Plasticity Index 4—12

c.

The property Owner must clear and maintain the permeable areas to ensure they remain free of weeds and sediment which could compromise the drainage and structural integrity of the surface.

ii.

Documents. In addition to the items required to be submitted pursuant to Section 17.06.140 of this Code, the following documents must be submitted to the City for review as part of the permitting processes, in order to install a Parking Lot consisting of a permeable surface as stated above.

a.

Geotechnical Report.

b.

Site plan to verify compliance with all other parts of commercial parking lot design criteria as per Section 17.06.140.

c.

Material report that shows compliance with the Grading Requirements and Plasticity for Gravel chart above.

4.

Landscaping. The JRNC Nature Center shall comply with all provisions of Title 17.06.300, with the following exceptions:

a.

Exterior Perimeter Landscape Standards.

i.

Turf grass is prohibited between the JRNC Nature Center fence and the public right of way. The JRNC Nature Center shall install a rock mulch base in all landscaped areas and shall include live plant material that covers 75% of the area at maturity. Live plant material shall be selected and installed to discourage camping and loitering along the perimeter of the development.

ii.

Benches and other public furnishing installations are prohibited between the JRNC Nature Center fence and any public right of way.

5.

Signage.

a.

The JRNC Nature Center may feature two (2) Monument Signs, with a maximum height of four (4) feet and a maximum area of 50 square feet.

b.

The JRNC Nature Center may feature two (2) Wall Signs that are limited to 15% of the front façade area of the Visitor Center, with alphanumeric character height up to four (4) feet in height. Walls signs may be placed on any façade of the Visitor Center.

c.

The JRNC Nature Center may have an unlimited number of Directional Signs and informational signs within the interior of the development.

d.

Pole Signs are prohibited.

(Ord. No. 2022-12, § I(Exh. A), 5-25-2022; Ord. No. 2026-05, § 1(Exh. A), 3-25-2026)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2022-12, § I(Exh. A), adopted May 25, 2022, repealed and reenacted section 17.03.230 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Formerly, section 17.03.230 pertained to the Nature Center Pilot Project (NCPP) Overlay District, and derived from Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), adopted January 8, 2020.