How to localize giving season

Affordable Housing

The Salt Lake City Council voted to approve affordable housing incentives that would allow property owners to build fourplexes in residential zones. Changes in the Salt Lake City code also include no parking minimums (meaning builders aren’t required to provide off-street parking for each unit). It’s all part of an effort to encourage developers to build more affordable units. [Building Salt Lake]

• Related: The affordable housing solution hidden in plain sight. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]
• Also: Explaining the new affordable housing incentives. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

A Pop-up Chocolate Shop

Through Dec. 23, Cloud Ninth Creamery on 900 S. transforms into a pop-up chocolate shop called Garden Gate Candy. The chocolate shop was started by co-owner Josh Plumb’s grandparents, and the toffee recipe they use dates back to the 1940s. Every year, they make more than 30,000 pounds of chocolate. [Salt Lake Tribune]

Salt Lake City Planning Commission

A recent resignation from Salt Lake City’s Planning Commission has the city looking at where it can possibly cut some bureaucratic red tape. The commission is tasked with handling our city’s land-use decisions, and in her resignation letter, former member Andra Ghent shared some ideas for how the group can be more effective. We asked her to clarify what she meant and how the commission intersects with our lives. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧

We love our Hey Salt Lake community. Readers wrote in recently with their recs and experiences — from familiar voices to cheesy, deep-fried sticks.

😋 On the Best Mozzarella Sticks

“Red Rock Brewing Company” — Christian C.

“Best mozzarella sticks are at The Midway. They have excellent wings, too.” — Amy R.

⛰ On Utah Accents

“I spent 15 of my growing up years in Utah. For 20 years, I lived in Washington D.C. I recall being at some type of public event/tourist attraction. In that environment, you hear accents from all over the world, and it becomes a fun guessing game. I overheard some people talking and the accent was very distinct, something like a flat "A" sound but not the midwestern version.

Also, the words were slightly different. Utahns have distinct phrases they use and certain grammatical usages that are different. I turned around and looked at the family, "You're from Utah aren't you?" Of course they were! But, they didn't understand how I knew.” — Bonnie M.

☕️ On Holiday Beverages

“To your question about holiday beverages, I'm a big fan of Red Moose Cafe — primarily the location in Sugarhouse. They have a great selection of seasonal drinks and the inside of the coffee shop is super cozy like a cabin. It's my go-to coffee shop on snowy days and I highly recommend it!” — Shannon K.

“Alta lodge for the best hot toddy.” — Madeline H.

Do you have thoughts, questions, concerns (that may or may not be mozzarella stick-related)? We want to hear from you.

Nutcracker 🩰 Dec. 8-27 | Various Times

See the holiday classic, Ballet West’s “The Nutcracker.” [$49+, Downtown SLC]

Deepfake Festival 🤖 Friday | 7-9 p.m.

The University of Utah Film & Media Arts Department is hosting an evening of artificial intelligence in media. [Free, University]

Utah Guitar Festival 🎸 Saturday | 4-10 p.m.

It’s the first annual Utah Guitar Festival at The Pearl on Main. [$20, Midvale]

Could a Spicy Resignation Letter Lead to a Better Planning Commission?

Two SLC Planning Commission members have left the board recently, and one’s farewell was accompanied by a pointed letter offering suggestions to improve the commission’s processes. Which should matter to any Salt Laker, because the group is tasked with many of our city’s land-use decisions — from affordable housing to building heights. Former commissioner Andra Ghent joins host Ali Vallarta to share her thoughts on how she believes the group could be more effective.