Logan City Council voted 3-to-1 to approve changes to the city code controlling bar and tavern licenses during its meeting Tuesday, opening up three new bar or tavern licenses and setting a restriction on how close new establishments may be to existing bars or taverns.
Prior to the amendment, the city allowed one bar license and one tavern license per 10,000 population. With Logan City’s current population, that allowed for five bar licenses and five tavern licenses. All five of the available bar licenses have been issued.
The adopted changes combined the pool for bar and tavern licenses and changed the population requirement to one license per 6,000 people. Under the changes, nine licenses are available, six of which have been issued, with one application pending.
The new code also adds a restriction on bar and tavern proximity, prohibiting new establishments within 350 feet – about half a block – of an existing bar or tavern.
“The idea here was to not create a cluster of bars and taverns – to spread them out along the street face,” said Neighborhood Improvement Manager Aaron Smith.
Five residents spoke in support of the changes during the public hearing, claiming it would be good for the local community, agriculture and tourism. One opposed the proximity restriction.
Prior to voting, Councilmember Mike Johnson said he has wrestled with whether allowing more bar and tavern licenses will have a “net positive or net negative” impact on the community.
“I don’t know if I’ve come to a solid conclusion. It’s hard to find data on job increases and community growth and third spaces and business ownership versus DUIs and drunk driving and accidents and other criminal activities associated with alcohol,” Johnson said.
Councilmember Amy Anderson said when the city adjusted the ordinance a few years ago, she spoke with police officers who said their bigger concern is people who drink at home, because at least at a bar there is someone controlling the amount of alcohol given.
Ernesto Lopez said he has had associates mention there are limited options for nightlife in Logan. He said it isn’t necessarily the city’s task to create those options, but he does want to be wary of restricting it too much.
Anderson, Lopez and Council Chair Jeannie Simmonds voted in favor of the amendment. Johnson voted nay.
The council unanimously voted to adopt the 2006 Utah Wildland-Urban Interface Code, in compliance with House Bill 48, and to adopt a wildland-urban interface map to outline the wildland-urban areas within Logan City boundaries.
The code mandates fire-resistant construction for buildings in areas in the designated area, which are considered at a high-risk to be impacted by wildfires.
According to Logan City Fire Chief Nate Thompson, few, if any, homes are currently built within Logan City’s designated wildland-urban interface area.
The council also approved adjustments to the 2025-2026 fiscal budget, appropriating $31,528 for police overtime shifts.
The council considered a proposed resolution approving Logan City’s withdrawal from the Logan-Cache Airport Authority.
According to City Attorney Craig Carlston, Cache County recently approached Logan City about the city withdrawing as a member of the authority board.
Carlston suggested possible benefits for the city would be no more annual payments of $100,000, not having to provide any future capital investment into the airport, limiting liability exposure and resolving concerns about residents being double taxed by the county and the city.
Under the withdrawal agreement, the city would continue to have board representation.
Mayor Holly Daines said withdrawing from the airport authority is something the city has been interested in for some time, in part because of concerns about significant capital expenses going forward, and now the county is willing to move forward with it.
Johnson expressed concern about whether Cache County is in the best position to run the airport with Logan City.
Carlston said if there are insufficient funds at the county level to maintain the airport, the airport may shut down. The withdrawal agreement includes a clause that if the land is no longer used for an airport, half the assets will return to Logan City.
The council will vote on the withdrawal during its next meeting. Daines said because it is an administrative matter, there will not be a public hearing. If people have comments or concerns, they should email the council members.
Other topics the council will discuss during its upcoming meeting include a proposed rezone at 920 N 200 W, an amendment updating city code related to storm water violation fees to match state code, and budget adjustments including the appropriation of $39,265,437 toward the construction of a new public works building.
The council will also hold interviews and vote to appoint an interim council member to fill the seat Mark Anderson vacated when he resigned.
The council’s next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Logan City Hall. Council meetings are televised on Channel 17 and streamed on the Logan City YouTube channel.
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