North Logan council approves eminent domain to secure water-line easements for Canyon Gate subdivision

The North Logan City Council on Sept. 3 approved a resolution authorizing the use of formal eminent domain to acquire easements across portions of parcels near 2300 North and 2000 East to install culinary water transmission lines for the Canyon Gate subdivision.

Council members said the action was necessary after prolonged negotiations with the affected property owner, and after the city offered $150,500 for the easement during earlier negotiations. Mayor (name not specified in transcript) reviewed the negotiation history dating to 2021, when then-Mayor Damon Khan first opened talks about placing two tanks on the bench and an easement through private property.

“These negotiations began with Mayor Khan in late 2021,” Mayor (name not specified in transcript) said, summarizing prior discussions and the documents provided to the property owner, including an appraisal and statement of just compensation. Councilmember Emily moved to approve the resolution and Councilmember Mark seconded; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote recorded in the meeting.

Why it matters: City staff and council members said the easement and tanks are needed to provide interior culinary water to the proposed subdivision and to enable its development. City staff explained the city does not currently have adequate water to serve the new lots without the transmission lines and supporting tanks.

Council and staff described a timeline of repeated outreach. City staff said the most recent written offer—sent July 29—included the appraisal, an offer to purchase, deeds, maps and legal descriptions. The property owner, identified in the record as Steve Condie, informed the mayor and city negotiators through counsel on Aug. 18 that he would not voluntarily sell the easement. The council invited Condie or his attorney to speak at the Sept. 3 meeting; no representative appeared.

City staff said the easement would run under the planned 2300 North road and between lots so it would not remove buildable lots, but that the water lines and tanks are prerequisites for development because the city lacks capacity without them. A representative also said the easement affects only rights-of-way, not fee title to the parcels.

The council approved the resolution after clarifying procedural points about immediate possession and how that relief is requested in the condemnation complaint rather than in the resolution itself. Councilmember Emily introduced the motion: “I propose that we approve a resolution approving the use of formal eminent domain to acquire easements…” After a second from Mark, the council called a roll and recorded Ayes, and the motion passed unanimously.

The council did not receive a representative from the property owner at the meeting and indicated staff would proceed with the condemnation process if voluntary acquisition remained unsuccessful. Staff also said construction schedules and prior RFPs for the associated water tank and line work make timing an important factor for the city.

Proceeded action: Resolution authorizing use of eminent domain; staff indicated next steps would include filing a condemnation complaint that could request immediate possession if necessary.

Ending: City staff and the council said they will continue to attempt negotiation while proceeding administratively with the eminent-domain process so the water infrastructure work can proceed on the project timeline.