Logan tries to keep balance in hometown feel and growth
Balancing a hometown feel with a growing and changing economy is one of the challenges faced when zoning and planning for Logan City’s development.
John Weber, one of Logan’s planners, said the definition of zoning is looking at the existing character of a neighborhood and trying to preserve the character by looking at what kinds of uses are most compatible for the neighborhood. Each zone has different requirements for types of use on that land, he said. Area zoned Multi-family High (MFH) are different than areas zoned Multi-family Medium (MFM) because MFH is legally allowed to accommodate a higher density of residents than MFM, Weber said.
Weber said the oldest and one of the best preserved parts of the city is downtown, zoned Commercial Central (CC), located between 300 North and 100 South and between 100 West and 100 East.
“Historically, Logan has had a commercial center,” Weber said. “If you look at old photos, it looks a lot the same as it does now.”
Kevin Hansen, director of public works for the city of Logan, said the hometown feel is one of Logan’s attractive features.
“We have people who come to Logan and claim it as their hometown even though they aren’t from here,” Hansen said.
Weber said planners also need to ensure there is room in the city to handle its growth. He said a visioning document, which acts as a general plan will be created to specify the goals and procedures planned to carry out those goals for the city.
The current plan was adopted in 1995 and Weber said the time is nearing when the planning commission will revisit the plan to make alterations according to projected growth and new city goals.
The next step after looking at the character of a neighborhood is to talk to the public, Weber said. Members of the planning commission and members of the city council will talk to neighbors to find out what the neighbors feel about possible changes to their area, he said.
Weber said many citizens are concerned about the growth and appearance of Logan.
There is a need to accommodate the economic growth Logan is experiencing with a small-town feel, Weber said.
“People want a rural, small-town feel, but they don’t want to have to drive to Salt Lake to shop,” he said.
Another part of the city which has remained relatively unchanged over time is the Adams Neighborhood, the area consisting mostly of Single-family Residences (SFR) located between 1200 North and 300 South and between 600 East and 100 East, Weber said. Other pockets of SFR are located southwest and west of the city’s center. Weber said the Adams Neighborhood traditionally houses families that have lived in the area for up to three generations. He said one of the challenges faced by the Adams residents are short-term renters who may not have as strong of feelings about keeping a neighborhood looking nice.
Weber said parking is another issue many long-term residents face since many houses were not built with garages. Newer, short-term renters are sometimes forced to park on the street, causing congestion near residences, he said.
Weber said there is no getting away from the fact Logan is a university town and the city has done a good job striking a balance between student housing and single-family neighborhoods.
This winter, while looking at the land use code, the planners will talk to the administration at Utah State University to find out projected student enrollment growth, he said.
“There is never a question that we have to work closely with the university,” Weber said.
He also said planning isn’t only done with the administration at USU.
“We encourage students to get involved,” he said. “If we don’t hear from students, there will be a huge gap in our information.”
Students can find information by contacting the planning commission at 716-9020.