Logan council adopts critical lands setbacks 4-1, narrows Historic District change 3-2 and approves Fremont solar agreement
October 21, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
The council voted 4-1 to adopt amended critical lands setbacks with a 40-foot minimum riparian setback and approved the Fremont solar power purchase agreement 5-0. It voted 3-2 to adopt only the cleanup option for the Center Street Historic District, adopted land code amendments 5-0, and approved a modified Cache Valley Marketplace overlay 5-0. Members agreed by consensus to keep emergency medical services with the Fire Department after it was the only bidder.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Fire Department emergency medical services review | No action |
| Fremont Solar power purchase agreement with UAMPS, Resolution 25-42 | Approved · 5-0 |
| Critical Lands Overlay amendment, Ordinance 25-11 (continued) | Approved with conditions · 4-1 |
| Land Development Code amendments, Ordinance 25-17 (public hearing) | Approved · 5-0 |
| Center Street Historic District zone change, Ordinance 25-18 (public hearing) | Approved · 3-2 |
| Cache Valley Marketplace Planned Development Overlay amendment, Ordinance 25-19 (public hearing) | Approved with conditions · 5-0 |
| Budget adjustments, Resolution 25-43 (public hearing) | Approved · 5-0 |
| Workshop: dispatcher training budget adjustment | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 5 · Presentation
Logan City School District update
Discussed
Superintendent Frank Schofield reported enrollment demographics, a 92 percent graduation rate and starting salaries among the top five in Utah.
Item 7 · Public safety
Fire Department emergency medical services review
No action
Finance Director Richard Anderson and Fire Chief Nate Thompson said a new state law requires municipalities to bid out EMS services, and the Fire Department was the only bidder. Ambulance revenue funds nearly half of the fire budget. Staff has 72 personnel, including 46 paramedics. Anderson recommended selecting the Fire Department, citing the single bid and the cost to taxpayers of switching. All members agreed by nod; no formal motion was made.
Item 8 · Contract
Fremont Solar power purchase agreement with UAMPS, Resolution 25-42
Approved · 5-0
The council approved a 25-year agreement for 10 megawatts of solar with 5 megawatts of on-site battery storage, in which the city holds a 10.1 percent share. Light & Power Director Mark Montgomery said the Light and Power Advisory Board and the Resource Energy Sustainability Advisory Board favored it.
Item 9 · City code
Critical Lands Overlay amendment, Ordinance 25-11 (continued)
Approved with conditions · 4-1
The council adopted the ordinance as amended: a 40-foot minimum riparian setback for residential and commercial uses, inclusion of the entire North Branch of the Logan River, the term 'residential dwellings', other streams regulated through state stream alteration permits, and removal of the wetland development standards section (17.24.110) to be revisited in six months, leaving wetland setbacks at 50 feet. Council Member Amy Anderson was uncomfortable with the wetland amendments and opposed 40 feet in favor of 35. Council Member Mark Anderson raised a possible regulatory taking concern; the assistant city attorney noted a reasonable use exception exists. Vice Chair Johnson wanted at least 35 feet and rejected 25. Council Member López suggested 40 feet for both uses.
Item 10 · City code
Land Development Code amendments, Ordinance 25-17 (public hearing)
Approved · 5-0
The council adopted amendments that remove the conditional use permit for short-term rentals, align beekeeping with state law (5,445 square feet per two hives and a 10-foot setback), raise the minor subdivision threshold and move review to staff, and extend permit expiration from 12 to 24 months with one extension and reapplication after 36 months. Downtown TC-1 changes were removed after the Planning Commission voted 5-0 to deny them. The staff summary cites a 10-lot minor subdivision threshold while the Planning Commission recommendation cites six.
Item 11 · Zoning
Center Street Historic District zone change, Ordinance 25-18 (public hearing)
Approved · 3-2
The council adopted Option One, the cleanup map only, rejecting the full expansion the Historic Preservation Committee recommended. Over 80 percent of comments opposed expansion; speakers raised façade costs and short notice. Staff said federal tax credits apply only to properties on the National Register. Council Member Amy Anderson worried residents did not understand a vote would occur; Council Member Mark Anderson said many oppose extending the boundary west; Vice Chair Johnson favored Option One now with review in a few years.
Item 12 · Development
Cache Valley Marketplace Planned Development Overlay amendment, Ordinance 25-19 (public hearing)
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Woodsonia Cache Valley LLC asked to drop a 156-room hotel and add a 62,000-square-foot mid-box retail building, and to reduce multifamily units from 346 to 312 with more three-bedroom units. Parking would be 1,265 spaces against 1,172 required, density 12.2 units per acre, and the tallest building 50 feet. Finance Director Richard Anderson said commercial development generates more property and sales tax than a hotel. Vice Chair Johnson said the project lost character and felt like a mall; Chair Simmonds suggested second-floor housing. Developer representative Brady Morris said the hotel had no takers. Speakers favored more housing. A motion to deny was withdrawn, and the council voted 5-0 on an amendment to adopt Building F and deny Buildings B and E as presented; the minutes do not describe Building F.
- Applicant: Woodsonia Cache Valley LLC
- 2023 approval: 150,000 sq ft Target, 156-room hotel, 346 multifamily units
- Proposed: remove hotel, add 62,000 sq ft mid-box retail, 312 units
- Staff recommendation: conditional approval
Item 13 · Budget
Budget adjustments, Resolution 25-43 (public hearing)
Approved · 5-0
The council appropriated an $18,000 ICAC task force grant, $103,000 in state drug task force funds, $3,200 in insurance reimbursement, $41,200 in state funds for a Logan River Trail feasibility study at the golf course, and $10,000 for library e-book subscriptions. Dave Wind thanked the council for trail funding and asked about the Canyon Road Trail lawsuit; Mayor Daines said there may be an update.
- Grant$18,000 to State of Utah
- Grant$103,000 to State of Utah
- Payment$3,200
- Grant$41,200 to State of Utah
- Budget$10,000
Item 14 · Budget
Workshop: dispatcher training budget adjustment
Discussed
Anderson previewed $131,000 in one-time funding for training new dispatchers from miscellaneous revenues, which affects contracts with agencies that use city dispatch.
- Budget$131,000
What residents said
Riparian setbacksHistoric district costsCache Valley Marketplace design
Mike Loft asked to comment on the critical lands item; the chair said the hearing had occurred but written comments would be accepted. Matthew Fatuesi raised concerns about Woodsonia, UAMPS and riparian zones.