Arts and culture businesses could gain a formal foothold at Holladay Village plaza under a proposed code change headed back to the Holladay Planning Commission on Tuesday, August 4.

The amendment to Title 13 of the Holladay City Code would formally define "Arts and Culture" land uses and add them to the Table of Allowed Uses for the Holladay Village Zone, governed by Chapter 13.71. Currently, the zone envisions commercial, service, public, and residential uses but does not explicitly list arts and culture activities among them.

Under the proposal, arts and culture uses would be classified as accessory uses for the ground-level retail spaces required by the zone's design standards. No separate conditional use permit would be needed. That means creative businesses could occupy storefronts alongside shops and restaurants under the same zoning framework.

A city planning staff report prepared for the commission's June 16 hearing framed the change broadly, noting that a vibrant arts scene now extends beyond traditional galleries to include musicians, chefs, filmmakers, and artisans. The specific use types to be defined in the ordinance have not been publicly detailed.

The commission first heard the amendment at its Tuesday, June 16 meeting but continued the item without a vote. The August 4 agenda, posted Thursday, July 30 by City Recorder Stephanie N. Carlson, lists it again as a continued item. The commission's role is to recommend approval, denial, or modification before the proposal advances to the Holladay City Council for a final vote.

Holladay already has a growing arts footprint. The Holladay Arts Council reported more than 26,000 attendees at city arts events in 2025 and served more than 1,000 artists through programs including summer concerts, the Blue Moon Festival, and Plein Air & Plaza Fest.

How to weigh in

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the temporary City Council Chambers, 3330 S 1300 E in Millcreek, where the commission is meeting while Holladay City Hall is under renovation. A work session starts at 5:30 p.m.

Residents can submit written comments by email to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 3. Comments will be entered into the public record. The public can also speak in person when the item is called or watch a live video stream at holladayut.gov.

If recommended for approval, the amendment advances to the City Council for a final vote on a date not yet scheduled.