Holladay council weighs light-trespass rules, e-scooter limits and City Hall finishes; no votes besides closed session
January 23, 2025, 5:30 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 4580 South 2300 East, Holladay
In a work meeting on Jan. 23, council members reviewed City Hall design finishes, a draft city survey, two options for a lighting ordinance and updates to the traffic and criminal code. Members said they had no consensus to require a lighting professional on residential plans. The only votes were to enter and leave a closed session; the minutes record the mayor voting with the council.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| City Hall design update | Discussed |
| Residential lighting standards | Discussed |
| Code update: Titles 10 and 11 | Discussed |
| Closed session | Approved · 6-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item II · Roads and utilities
City Hall design update
Discussed
Dwight Yee of Process Studio said the seismic upgrades will likely require demolishing and rebuilding main corridors, and rebuilding the half-dome ceiling will likely cost more. He showed tile and carpet options. Council Member Fotheringham asked for a "Holladay brand green" border, Mayor Dahle said one option looked plain, and Council Member Brewer asked about the wood finish.
Item III · Presentation
Review of city survey
Discussed
Kyrene Gibb of Y2 Analytics said the draft survey takes about 18 minutes against a 15-minute goal, so five or six questions must go. The council agreed to cut the clubs and groups section. Mayor Dahle asked for comparisons with the 2017 survey and other cities.
Item IV · City code
Residential lighting standards
Discussed
Community Development Director Jon Teerlink presented two draft ordinances: Level 1 would add residential light standards to R-1 and R-2 zones, and Level 2 would consolidate all lighting standards in one section. Council Member Fotheringham favored focusing on new construction and remodels; Council Member Brewer favored complaint-based enforcement with education; Council Members Gray and Quinn opposed requiring a lighting professional, with Gray noting about a dozen lighting complaints a year. City Attorney Todd Godfrey said the city should act on public nuisances, not private disputes. Mayor Dahle said there was no consensus to require a lighting professional, and Godfrey recommended another work session before the Planning Commission.
- Lighting plan review adds at least 30 minutes of staff time; staff are not trained in illumination review
Item V · City code
Code update: Titles 10 and 11
Discussed
Staff reviewed the recodification of criminal and traffic codes. Council Member Brewer opposed the current low-profile motorized vehicle language and wants behavior-based enforcement; Council Member Quinn noted students use e-scooters to get to school; Police Chief Hoyal described education before citations. Council Member Quinn asked for a landscaped portion of front yards to be required where parking is allowed. A public hearing and delayed effective date are planned.
Item VI · Other
Closed session
Approved · 6-0
The council voted to enter a closed session under state open-meetings law at 8:30 p.m. and to exit at 8:48 p.m.; the minutes record the mayor voting with the council. The minutes list the vote as 6-0 each time.
What residents said
Light trespassE-scootersFront-yard parking