News Advisory

July 1, 2002

A joint resolution opposing the recommendation of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, as the national nuclear waste repository and a public hearing on a zoning change that would allow the construction of an intermodal freight facility top a list of issues the Salt Lake City Council will consider at its meeting Tuesday.

Both items are calendared for the City Council’s formal meeting at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, in Room 315 of the City & County Building, 451 South State Street.

The joint resolution supported by the City Council and Mayor Ross C. Anderson will be considered during the opening ceremonies portion of the meeting. The Mayor and the Council plan to forward copies of the resolution to Utah’s congressional delegation and delegations representing other states before the U.S. Senate acts on the issue later in July.

Earlier this year President George W. Bush has recommended Yucca Mountain as the national nuclear waste repository. Nevada’s governor vetoed the recommendation under the federal Nuclear Waste Policy Act, but the U.S. House of Representatives voted to override the veto. The Senate now must act on the veto.

The City Council also has scheduled public hearings on petitions to: 

• Amend the City Zoning Code to allow freight railroad terminal facilities to be located in districts zoned for light manufacturing.
• Rezone property located at about 800 South and 5600 West streets from general-commercial zoning to light-manufacturing.
• Amend the Salt Lake City Transportation Master Plan to close and abandon a portion of 4800 West Street.

The three petitions would allow Union Pacific Railroad to build an intermodal freight loading facility between about 4400 West and 5600 West streets south of 700 South Street. Construction of the facility is key to the Utah Transit Authority’s agreement with Union Pacific to buy railroad right of way to build a commuter rail line between Brigham City and Payson, according to UTA officials.

The Salt Lake City Planning Commission adopted motions to recommend approval of the petitions to at the May 16 Planning Commission meeting.

 For more information, please contact Russell Weeks or Cindy Gust-Jenson at the Salt Lake City Council Office, 535-7600.

To read the proposed resolution, click here.