So tonight, City Council members are poised to approve a zoning change that would allow developers to put condos and apartments downtown and in commercial districts without having to build retail or office on the ground floor - as now required.

"This gives us a chance, perhaps, to see some projects we might not otherwise see," said Alison McFarlane, economic development adviser to Mayor Rocky Anderson.

While there are naysayers, many developers applaud the change.

"In many cases, it's very difficult to mesh retail with housing," said Alan Wood, who is building the Metro Condominiums at 350 S. 200 East.

He wouldn't have included four live-work spaces in the 117-unit project if zoning didn't force him to. "It represents more of a market risk. The way the conditions are in Salt Lake, there's much higher vacancy in the retail than there is with housing."

Richard Gordon has to add retail to his Westgate Loft project at 328 W. 200 South. He expects the still-under-construction project to include an art gallery, restaurant and some other retail. While he calls the zoning change a good idea, he will continue to pursue retail for his project, which he said hasn't been tough to find.

"The market's changed so dramatically the last few years. Everybody wants to come back to downtown. It's an exciting place again."

City Councilman Soren Simonsen - an architect and urban-planning consultant by trade - supports the change. He would like to see the city do even more to encourage housing by requiring that retail projects include residential units.

Simonsen is working on a housing project at 900 South and 200 West, where commercial is required but there isn't a market for it.

"Having a retail component is not critical to a residential project," said Simonsen, who plans to ask the city attorney's office whether he can vote on the ordinance or if he has a conflict of interest.

Developer Dan Lofgren likes the proposed change. "The opportunity to put a residential presence on the street is what we're after. Doing everything we can to embrace it makes a lot of sense to me."

But Ken Millo won't be taking advantage of the change as he develops three housing projects near Pioneer Park. He doesn't oppose adding housing to the ground floor; he just wants to see retail there instead because he says that adds vibrancy.

And while some might say there is enough - even too much - retail downtown, Millo notes the area doesn't have a neighborhood retail center, which is what he's trying to create.

hmay@sltrib.com