Planning commission backs code changes to allow brewpubs in more Sandy zones

The Sandy City Planning Commission voted to forward a positive recommendation to the city council to amend Title 21 of the Sandy Municipal Code to enable brewpubs in more areas of the city.

City staff said the change implements a city-council-initiated direction to allow a restaurant-with-brewery model beyond the Downtown Cairns district, streamline permitting and align local code language with state law. Melissa (staff presenter) told the commission the proposal does not add a separate “brewpub” land-use line; instead it would allow manufacturing brewery licenses in zones where restaurants already may serve alcohol, provided the brewery and restaurant operate on the same premises.

The proposal requires two state alcoholic-beverage licenses and remains subject to state proximity rules that bar certain licenses near schools, churches, libraries, playgrounds and public parks. Melissa said the restaurant-type license requires at least 70% of food sales under state law, distinguishing a brewpub from a tavern or bar. Staff presented a map showing buffers around community locations and a redlined code package listing specific zones where the manufacturing-brewery use would be added as either permitted or conditional, depending on whether restaurants are permitted or conditional in those zones.

Commissioners asked no substantive questions during the hearing. There were no public comments. Commissioner Terry moved to forward a positive recommendation to the city council to amend Title 21 related to brewpubs based on the analysis and four findings in the staff report; the motion carried unanimously. The planning commission’s recommendation will go to the city council, which has final authority on code amendments.

The staff report and exhibits presented to the commission included: (1) a list of amended sections to the land-use matrix and definitions, (2) a map of proposed zones and proximity buffers, and (3) a redline version of the code changes. The staff presenter said Title 15 (business licensing) changes are also part of the initiative but will follow the business-license administrator’s process and do not require the same planning commission public hearing process. The staff presentation referenced alignment with Utah code and coordination with the state agency identified in the record as the Department of Alcohol Beverage Services.

Next steps: The planning commission forwarded a recommendation; the city council will consider the proposed Title 21 amendments and associated Title 15 licensing adjustments at a future council hearing (date not specified).