Bluffdale council updates alcohol code to allow recreational on-premise beer retailers and grants local consent to beach-volleyball operator

The Bluffdale City Council voted to amend the municipal alcohol licensing code to allow an on-premise beer retailer category for recreational uses after staff informed the council that state code now recognizes recreational on-premise beer licenses distinct from taverns and restaurants. Staff said the change clarifies definitions, removes an earlier local quota restriction for recreation beer retailers and aligns city policy with the state’s licensing framework.

The code update was introduced as part of a planning and licensing package tied to an applicant seeking local consent to serve limited alcohol at a new volleyball facility. The council then held a public hearing and considered an application for local consent for Sanbar South, located at 920 West 146 South, Suite 300. Applicant Corey Merrill described operations: the Bluffdale location will include six indoor beach courts and one outdoor court, will host adult leagues (most activity evenings), offer court rentals and weekend tournaments for juniors and adults, and run open-play sessions during daytime hours. Staff confirmed the applicant has applied for business and building permits and that site-plan and zoning text amendments will be processed where outdoor courts are involved.

Council member Lord moved and Council member Austin seconded approval of the local-consent resolution (2025-72). A roll-call vote recorded council approval. Staff noted the license and business permits remain contingent on separate building and licensing approvals by the city and the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services.

What happens next: the applicant will complete building- and business-permit requirements and, after local consent and state approvals, may proceed with site construction and operations; staff will process any needed zoning text amendments for outdoor courts.