Logan council adopts moderate-income housing bonus at 20 percent and keeps occupancy at three; RDA approves incentives for mall redevelopment
November 7, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
With Council Member Tom Jensen excused, the council voted 4-0 to adopt housing code changes after about 20 residents spoke, mostly against raising the occupancy limit from three to four unrelated people. The council kept the limit at three, set a 20 percent density bonus tied to 10 percent income-restricted units, and continued the Willow Lakes rezone at the applicant's request. The Redevelopment Agency approved assistance for the Woodsonia project at 1300 North Main.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reappointment | Approved · 4-0 |
| Open and Public Meetings Act and ethics training | Discussed |
| Willow Lakes rezone, Ordinance 23-33 | Continued · 4-0 |
| Moderate-income housing code amendments, Ordinance 23-32 (public hearing) | Approved with conditions · 4-0 |
| Budget adjustments, Resolution 23-45 (public hearing) | Approved · 4-0 |
| Workshop: Parks and Recreation fees, Resolution 23-49 | Discussed |
| Workshop: budget adjustments, Resolution 23-47 | Discussed |
| Workshop: purchasing thresholds, Ordinance 23-34 | Discussed |
| Redevelopment Agency: Woodsonia assistance, Resolution 23-46 RDA | Approved · 4-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Appointment
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reappointment
Approved · 4-0
The council ratified the reappointment of Eric Eliason.
Other
Open and Public Meetings Act and ethics training
Discussed
City Attorney Craig Carlston summarized annual open meetings requirements, including 24-hour notice, the state public notice website and closed-meeting rules, and said the Ethics Act allows employees and officials to contract with the city if they disclose in advance. Council Member Simmonds asked that participation be reported to the state.
Presentation
Logan City School District update
Discussed
Superintendent Frank Scofield reported 5,416 students, about half from low-income households, and a 91.2 percent 2022 graduation rate at Logan High. He covered staff pay, early literacy, attendance and the Family Resource Center, and said $465,000 in new annual RDA revenue will go to the district and the former municipal pool will become an indoor athletic facility.
Item 8.A · Zoning
Willow Lakes rezone, Ordinance 23-33
Continued · 4-0
The rezone from NR-6 to Mixed Use on 1100 South was continued to December 5 at the applicant's request.
City code
Moderate-income housing code amendments, Ordinance 23-32 (public hearing)
Approved with conditions · 4-0
The amendments responded to a state requirement tied to transportation funding and covered density bonuses, micro-living units and occupancy limits. The Planning Commission recommended approval 6-1. About 20 residents spoke; most opposed raising occupancy from three unrelated people to four, citing parking, absentee landlords and neighborhood character, and some worried micro-units could become mobile-home-style parks. Dr. Gail Yost asked about tiny houses for veterans and the homeless. Council Members Simmonds and Amy Anderson opposed the four-person increase and Chairman López relayed Council Member Jensen's opposition. The council preferred a 20 percent density bonus with 10 percent of units income-restricted at 50 percent of area median income over the 25 and 5 percent proposal, limited micro-units to walkable areas near jobs and transit, and adopted the ordinance as amended.
- Conditions: occupancy stays at three unrelated people; 20% density bonus; 10% of units income-restricted at 50% AMI
Budget
Budget adjustments, Resolution 23-45 (public hearing)
Approved · 4-0
The council appropriated $396 for library Wi-Fi hotspots, $11,610 from the Bulletproof Vest Partnership, $6,250 in Public Works training contributions and $248,584 from communication radio reserves. Assistant Chief Hooley told Dr. Yost each vest costs $1,200 and all officers already have one.
- Budget$396
- Grant$11,610
- Budget$6,250
- Budget$248,584
Taxes and fees
Workshop: Parks and Recreation fees, Resolution 23-49
Discussed
Parks and Recreation Director Russ Akina proposed fees for the Plaza ice rink, skate rentals and the Logan River Golf Course, with 60-minute rather than 90-minute skate sessions and a $3 per-person Monday family night for up to five family members. Capacity was estimated at 120 to 150 skaters a session. Action was set for November 21.
Budget
Workshop: budget adjustments, Resolution 23-47
Discussed
Previewed $80,000 for special inspection reimbursement, $20,329 in police overtime reimbursements, $100,000 in state loan forgiveness for a water lead service line inventory, $32,784 for traffic studies, $800,000 in contingent legal fees for the Woodsonia development, $60,000 for operating costs and a $390,000 after-school program grant passed through the state from federal funds, shared equally among six elementary schools.
- Payment$800,000
- Grant$390,000
- Grant$100,000 to State of Utah
City code
Workshop: purchasing thresholds, Ordinance 23-34
Discussed
Finance Director Richard Anderson proposed raising purchasing thresholds, which have not changed in ten years. Action was set for November 21.
Development
Redevelopment Agency: Woodsonia assistance, Resolution 23-46 RDA
Approved · 4-0
Economic Development Director Kirk Jensen presented assistance for a project of about 25.5 acres at roughly 1300 North Main with a 150,000-square-foot commercial building, a 98,000-square-foot hotel and retail building and about 346 apartments, 10 percent of them (34 units) affordable at 80 percent of area median income for the agency's 20-year term. Incentives include 100 percent of available tax increment capped at $10,010,000 and 100 percent of affordable housing reserves capped at $1,180,000, plus $500,000 from the affordable housing reserve; the minutes give an estimated reimbursement of $3,811,000. Council members asked about retailer disclosure, affordability duration and the cap, and the mayor noted the developer could opt out after the term.
- Grant$10.0 million to Woodsonia (developer)
- Grant$1.18 million to Woodsonia (developer)
- Grant$500,000 to Woodsonia (developer)
What residents said
Occupancy limit of four unrelated peopleParking and absentee landlordsMicro-living unitsWoodsonia density and traffic
Joshua Molitor asked whether Council Member Mark Anderson had received city contracts and raised concerns about the Woodsonia project. Erin Bennett raised plastic bag fees and microplastics. Marilyn Griffin thanked staff for a flashing light at 700 North 200 East. Keaton Papke opposed high-density housing and traffic from Woodsonia while not opposing site revitalization. About 20 residents spoke on the housing code.