In front of a standing-room-only crowd, the Washington City Council heard arguments for and against the first development proposing to use a bar overlay zone ordinance approved in 2022.

According to the ordinance, civic leaders can approve up to three bar licenses in a proposal for a “bar establishment in designated overlay zone” application in retail and commercial areas. Without a zone change approval, one only bar per 20,000 residents is allowed in Washington City.

Many residents attending the meeting wore lanyards with “no to bar overlay zone” signs adorning their chests.

As the owner of Belliston Construction and applicant for the proposed development, Councilman Troy Belliston could not participate in the approval or denial process, but he could answer questions about site plans.

Belliston defended the project by saying he lives near the area, is a neighbor with many in the audience and would like to see an upscale or “high-end” dining experience instead of a bar or chain restaurant that serves alcohol, which would be permitted under the current regulations.

“A lot of the folks here probably don’t realize that, you know this bar overlay, it wouldn’t keep a Hooters from coming in, because a Hooters is a restaurant, right?” he said. “I don’t want a Hooters either.”

Emily Phillips asked why the zone change for 40 acres in the Grapevine Crossing development was needed if no known alcohol-related business is asking to open in Washington City.

“I believe that having the specifics of what establishment is wanting to come would be vital to the success of having a high-end bar establishment,” she said during public comment.

Dave Moody, owner of Silver Reef Brewing Company, Craft & Kitchen, which also markets products as St. George Beverage, spoke next to the council about previous discussions he had with Belliston about the development.

Moody said he envisioned a location in Grapevine Crossing where he could open a similar establishment selling wine produced from grapes grown in Pine Valley and meat and cheese products made in facilities he recently acquired in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We currently manufacture approximately 30,000 barrels of wine per year,” he said. “We have over 50 employees, with 401Ks, insurance and benefits.”

Not only would he be able to sell wine in the town he moved to nine years ago, Moody said, but Washington City’s vicinity to the company vineyards would also make less paperwork when following federal government rules.

After hearing more public comments against the development, council members expressed differing opinions. Councilwoman Kim Casperson spoke last, saying the applicant did not provide enough information and then made a motion to deny the proposal.

“When we were talking about this, I thought we would know more about what kind of restaurant we would have in this overlay zone,” she said.

After some discussion as to whether a motion to deny could precede a motion to approve, Washington City Attorney Thad Seegmiller said if the process were to ever be appealed and reviewed, state officials would overturn any decision unless a reason was given.

Casperson reiterated that not enough information was provided for her to back the proposal. Casperson and Councilman Kurt Ivie voted yes toward the motion to deny, while Councilmen Craig Coats and Bret Henderson voted no.

As the tiebreaker, Mayor Kress Staheli said he hoped the council could work together for a resolution.

“It would be my preference that this council, the legislative body that is typically the voting body, would be able to come to a majority consensus without my involvement,” Staheli said. “So, with all due respect to all my peers on the council and the applicant, I guess because the motion is to deny, my vote is yes to deny the application.”

On July 3, the Washington City Planning Commission reviewed the request and recommended approval (3-1) to allow the designation of the overlay zone for a bar establishment within 40 acres located at approximately 1720 East Grapevine Crossing Road.

On Aug. 14, the Washington City Council voted to deny the proposed changes for the development by a vote of 3-2.

After the meeting, Belliston told St. George News that he did not include previous discussions with Moody in details submitted to the council due to processes needing to be followed prior to the proposal.

“Under the ordinance, an applicant can’t apply for alcohol-related business consideration until the zoning is approved,” Belliston said. “It would be a waste of their time. I think the public clamor got in the way of the real story, that this is a very reputable business, not a bar like in the movies.”

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