HolladayDigest

• Ordinance allowing arts and culture as a permitted use in the Holladay Village zone

• Appointment of Scott Bennion to the Planning Commission

• Outreach to businesses on business license fee changes taking effect in January

• The upcoming annual financial audit

• Council district updates, including Blue Moon, Spring Lane Park, and Knudsen Park

• The Central Wasatch National Conservation and Recreation Area (NCRA) Act

• Ordinance 2026-15

  was adopted. It amends city code to allow arts and culture as an allowable use in the Holladay Village zone. Staff had briefed the Council on it at the previous meeting.

• Resolution 2026-27

  was adopted. It grants the Council's advice and consent to appoint Scott Bennion to the Planning Commission.

• Adopt Ordinance 2026-15 (arts and culture use in Holladay Village zone)

  OutcomePassed 6–0Individual VotesSundwall, Durham, Bradley, Quinn, Gray, and the Mayor: Yes

• Approve Resolution 2026-27 (Bennion Planning Commission appointment)

  OutcomePassed 6–0Individual VotesSundwall, Durham, Bradley, Quinn, Gray, and the Mayor: Yes

• Adjourn

  OutcomePassedIndividual VotesVoice vote

About the appointee: Bennion has lived in Holladay since 1981 and is a commercial real estate executive with more than 30 years of experience. He favors "balanced, smart" growth to support city services. When asked about possible conflicts of interest, he said his work is with a Davis County family office and focused on Davis County. He committed to recusing himself if a conflict ever arises.

• City staff

  Hold the final small-group meeting with businesses most affected by the license fee changes.

• Finance staff and auditors

  Begin the annual audit next week, with a target of finalizing it at a December Council meeting.

• Council members and staff

  Consider attending the League of Cities and Towns "Conflict Competence 101" training.

  • When: October 29, 9:00–2:30
  • Where: Murray City Hall

• Councilmember Gray

  Connect interested council members with Dr. Pitcher, principal of Cottonwood High School. He has invited city leaders to spend time at the school, sit in on classes, or teach.

• Council members

  Review the NCRA bill and send any input through Councilmember Gray, who represents Holladay on the Central Wasatch Commission.

Public comment

• Shane Manwaring of Bluffdale, a candidate for Salt Lake County Sheriff, introduced himself. He is a retired National Guard colonel and a police lieutenant. His priorities are:

  • Cutting jail booking wait times, which he said exceed 90 minutes and keep Holladay officers away from the city.
  • Increasing jail capacity so detainees stay long enough to get sober and receive help.
  • Improving cooperation among police agencies.

Business license outreach

• Postcards went to every business.

• Of 45 invitations to the high-impact business groups, two owners have attended so far. Both appreciated the notice and raised no objections.

District updates

• Councilmember Sundwall

  began the Citizens Police Academy.

• Councilmember Bradley

  • Invited residents to Blue Moon this Saturday, 5:00–9:00, which will have buskers and a "meet your council member" booth.
  • Thanked Chief Ackerman for responding to a frightening incident in her district.

• Councilmember Quinn

  highlighted the Artist of the Month event at 4 Lemons featuring local artist Stephanie Saint Thomas.

• Councilmember Gray

  • Reported strong community enthusiasm for Spring Lane Park at Cottonwood High's community night.
  • Praised the new Knudsen Park sign, which was funded in part by the Knudsen family.

Mayor's report

• The Conference of Mayors held a presentation on license plate readers. Holladay has none and does not plan to adopt them without a serious public policy discussion.

• The Mayor invited council members to breakfast with UFA Station 104 on Saturday, October 10th, at 8:00 AM at Sharon's Cafe. Attendance must avoid a quorum.

Work session: Central Wasatch NCRA Act

Lindsey Nielsen explained the bill and its history:

• Origins

  The bill grew out of the 2013–2015 Mountain Accord process, which brought together about 1,000 stakeholders. It began as a response to closed-door development proposals such as the SkiLink gondola.

• What it would do

  • Designate about 79,000 acres of federal land in the Tri-Canyon area and Parleys Corridor as an NCRA. It would not affect non-federal land.
  • Create a new Mount Aire–Grandeur Peak wilderness area and expand existing wilderness areas.
  • Establish an 1,800-acre White Pine Watershed Protection Area near Snowbird. Existing permitted uses there would continue.
  • Require a new area-specific Forest Service management plan with local input, replacing the current 2003 forest-wide plan.
  • Lock in roadless-rule protections for the watershed.

• Transportation

  The bill is "transit neutral." It neither helps nor blocks UDOT transportation options, including a gondola.

• Timing

  Supporters see a rare window to reintroduce the bill in 2027, citing Ben McAdams. He was an original author of the bill, won his primary in Utah's newly drawn congressional district, and has committed in writing to reintroduce it.

Closed session: None was held.