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Council asks staff to study lowering barriers for brewpubs, expand permissible locations and return with recommendations
Summary
By a 6–1 vote, the council requested staff examine streamlining permitting, lowering financial barriers, and broadening where brewpubs can operate in Sandy; staff will analyze regulatory changes and return with options.
Sandy City Council voted 6–1 on April 29 to ask staff to examine options to streamline the permitting process for brewpubs, reduce upfront financial barriers for operators and consider expanding locations where brewpubs are permitted.
Council member Zach Robinson introduced Resolution 25‑16C, saying he had incorporated feedback received during last week's discussion and added a requested analysis of crime statistics and potential scalability. The motion directs city administration and planning staff to study the existing licensing and zoning rules for brewpubs, evaluate whether fees or bonding requirements pose undue barriers to small operators, and evaluate whether additional commercial or mixed‑use zones could accommodate brewpubs without eroding neighborhood protections.
Council member Marcy Houseman said she supported brewpubs in principle but wanted to retain current location restrictions; she voted against the motion. Most other council members favored staff analysis and a return to council with proposed code amendments or alternative regulatory tools. The motion included a requested return date (Council accepted a deadline of August 1, 2025, to accommodate related state-level and budget work), and staff agreed to prepare an analysis and recommendations.
The measure passed by roll call 6–1. Staff will return with recommended options for zoning changes, fee and bond adjustments, possible quota or pilot programs, and any relevant public-safety or land-use caveats.
