North Logan bans large data centers and tables 9.9-acre Ashbourne rezone

The North Logan City Council voted 5-0 on Sept. 16 to amend its land-use tables to prohibit large-scale data centers. In a separate 5-0 vote it tabled a rezone for the Ashbourne development, about 120 homes on 9.9 acres, until the council can hold a publicly noticed workshop with the developer, according to the meeting minutes. ^[1][3]

The land-use changes define accessory, micro and large-scale data centers and prohibit the large-scale kind. Micro data centers, defined as roughly 2,000 to 20,000 square feet, would need conditional-use approval, and the ordinance sets water-use, noise and screening standards. The same ordinance generally requires future financial institutions in commercial zones to be accessory rather than primary uses, and it reviews uses such as funeral homes, shooting and archery ranges, tattoo and piercing businesses and residential care facilities. ^[1]

Ashbourne would rezone the parcel at the northeast corner of 2200 North and 400 East from R-1-12 residential to Mixed-Use City Center. The Planning Commission recommended approval 3-1 after reviewing it July 16 and Aug. 6. Staff said the plan was revised to add 19 parking spaces by removing four townhomes, bringing parking to about 126% of the city's current code requirement. A traffic study found nearby intersections would keep an acceptable level of service, with a recommended eastbound left-turn lane at the west entrance. ^[1]

Council members said density, traffic, parking near Three Peaks Medical Center, the transition to nearby single-family neighborhoods, a development agreement and homeowners association parking enforcement were unresolved. Some said the townhomes could give first-time buyers a lower-cost route to ownership. Developer Jake Thompson said his team has worked on the project for about 18 months and is willing to join more workshops. ^[1]

The council's Oct. 14 workshop agenda listed further discussion of Ashbourne, including any proposed changes to the concept plan after the Sept. 16 meeting. The Oct. 14 regular meeting agenda listed the rezone as an action item, and the minutes with its outcome have not been posted. ^[2][4]

The council also voted 5-0 on Sept. 16 to vacate excess public right-of-way at the 2440 North and Wolf Pack Way intersection and to change business license fees, including adding a fee for applications and placing short-term rentals under the Home Class 2 category. ^[1]