Logan council loosens alcohol zoning rules and hears State of the City; water rate increases previewed
February 20, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
The council voted 5-0 to adopt two ordinances easing local alcohol zoning and licensing after a long list of supporters spoke, and approved $32,635 in insurance proceeds for EMS equipment. Mayor Daines gave the State of the City, and staff previewed water rate and fine changes, a utility disconnection notice change and a second attempt at the 181 North 200 East rezone.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 5 · Presentation
State of the City
Discussed
Mayor Daines cited a fire station funded by $10 million in ARPA money, a $1 million library gift from the Hansen Sisters Foundation, a $12 million road and bridge project on 100 West, a $750,000 Utah Outdoor Recreation grant and $450,000 in RAPZ funds for the Logan Outdoor Recreation Complex, a $300,000 forestry grant, a $5 million grant for a fourth bioreactor design and a $4 million composting grant. She said the city covered a 15 percent increase in employee medical premiums, police responded to more than 22,000 incidents in 2023, fire responded to nearly 6,000 calls, the joint Rec Center operation ends June 30, 2025 and the ice rink drew over 11,000 skaters. No action.
- Grant$10.0 million
- Grant$1.00 million to Hansen Sisters Foundation
- Grant$750,000
- Grant$450,000
- Grant$5.00 million
- Grant$4.00 million
Item 6 · Presentation
Logan City Wellbeing Survey
Discussed
Dr. Courtney Flint of Utah State University said the free survey, in English and Spanish, launched that day and would stay open three to four weeks.
Item 8 · Budget
Budget adjustment for EMS equipment, Resolution 24-04 (public hearing)
Approved · 5-0
The council appropriated $32,635 in insurance proceeds for EMS equipment. No one spoke.
- Budget$32,635
Item 9 · City code
Alcohol uses and zoning, Ordinance 24-03 (public hearing)
Approved · 5-0
The council amended Land Development Code Chapters 17.11 and 17.62. Bars and taverns were removed from several zones and made conditional in TC-1, a taproom use was added in TC-1, and small breweries became permitted in IP and conditional in CS. Speakers, including Bill Bower, Casey Trout, Nick Benoit, Daniella Hirschfeld, Anna and Mike Rogard and Dr. Gail Yost, were generally supportive. Smith confirmed the changes are generally less restrictive and said server training is handled by the state alcohol agency.
Item 10 · City code
Alcoholic beverages licensing, Ordinance 24-04 (public hearing)
Approved · 5-0
The council adopted changes to Municipal Code Chapter 5.10. Nine speakers, including Bill Bower, Casey Trout, Brian Makanoa and Alan Buys, supported it. Council Member Simmonds clarified that state proximity rules still apply to places such as libraries, schools and churches.
Item 11 · City code
Workshop: utility disconnection notice, Ordinance 24-07
Discussed
Staff proposed removing the 'written' notice requirement for utility disconnection, replacing mailed notices with phone and email contact and saving about $20,000 a year in postage. About 200 mailed notices go out daily and 20 to 35 disconnects occur each day Monday through Thursday. Action was set for March 5.
Item 12 · Budget
Workshop: budget adjustments, Resolution 24-07
Discussed
Previewed a $15,000 state grant for police equipment and $20,000 from fund balance for election expenses. Action was set for March 5.
- Grant$15,000 to State of Utah
- Budget$20,000
Item 13 · Taxes and fees
Workshop: water rates, fines and fees, Resolution 24-06
Discussed
Public Works Director Paul Lindhardt said the last major water rate increase was 35 percent in 2018, followed by 3 percent increases in 2019 to 2022. Proposed changes: hydrant meter deposits rising from $500 to $1,100 for 1-inch and from $1,400 to $2,100 for 3-inch meters; new fines of $250 and $500 for unmetered water theft or illegal sewer dumping and $300 and $600 for hydrant or valve tampering; a meter or manhole tampering fine rising from $71 to $100; a fill station fee of $10 plus $8.50 per thousand gallons; and rate increases of 4 percent in 2024 and 3 percent in 2025 and 2026, subject to a rate study. The advisory board recommended approval. Action was set for March 5.
Item 14 · Zoning
Workshop: 181 North 200 East rezone, Ordinance 24-08
Discussed
Planner Russ Holley said the council denied the earlier request 2-2 on January 16 and the applicant reapplied. The Planning Commission voted 4-1 on December 14, 2023 for approval. The related conditional use permit covers a three-room boutique hotel and outdoor sculpture garden, with conditions including three 24-hour parking stalls, quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., landscaping, a 15-foot canal setback, a 10-foot utility easement and additional water shares or a fee. No public comments were received. Action was set for March 5.
Item 15 · City code
Workshop: water and sewer design standards, Ordinance 24-05
Discussed
City Engineer Darren Farar presented a change to Land Development Code Chapter 17.29, approved 5-0 by the Planning Commission on February 6. Action was set for March 5.
Item 16 · City code
Workshop: parking code housekeeping, Ordinance 24-06
Discussed
City Attorney Craig Carlston proposed replacing references to the transit district and city buses with 'public transit' in the parking chapter. Action was set for March 5.
Item 17 · Other
Workshop: temporary Justice Court judges, Resolution 24-05
Discussed
Carlston said the resolution would let any serving First District Justice Court judge be appointed, not just two named in 2019; the 2022 cost of a temporary judge was $180. Action was set for March 5.
What residents said
Mall redevelopment apartments and trafficCell tower in a city parkCemetery capacityCanal trail access
LuAnn Harris opposed apartments at the Cache Valley Mall site, a cell tower in a city park and raised cemetery capacity. Joshua Molitor questioned General Plan content and citizen participation for the Woodsonia project. Matthew Fatuesi asked about wages and traffic on 1400 North. Kaleb Shoell asked the city to file a declaratory judgment over trail access at a canal. Alcohol ordinance speakers were broadly supportive.