Split council overturns denial of Bach Homes' High Pointe apartments; 30 acres near 1100 South redesignated for homes
November 11, 2025, 7:00 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
Acting as appeal authority, the council voted 3-2 to reverse the Development Review Committee's denial of Bach Homes' High Pointe apartments in Lake City Row Phase 2, which staff had denied for lacking a required commercial element; Councilmembers Holley and Hunter voted no, and several members said the planned community had not turned out as promised. The council also changed about 30.5 acres near 400 East and 1100 South from industrial to medium-density residential for a Property Reserve Inc. rental community, with members wanting density capped at 6-7 units per acre in the annexation agreement, and adopted budget amendments.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Public hearing on FY2026 budget amendments | No action |
| Release of construction guarantee, Storrs Court, 162 W. 400 South | Approved · 5-0 |
| Land use map amendment, about 30.5 acres near 400 East and 1100 South | Approved with conditions · 5-0 |
| FY2026 budget amendments | Approved · 5-0 |
| Rocky Mountain Power easement on city property | Approved · 5-0 |
| Disposition of lost, mislaid or seized property | Approved · 5-0 |
| Bach Homes appeal of DRC denial, High Pointe apartments (Lake City Row Phase 2) | Approved · 3-2 |
| Closed session | No action |
Agenda, item by item
Item PH · Budget
Public hearing on FY2026 budget amendments
No action
No comments.
Item 2 · Presentation
Gene Moser Award to Planning Commission Chair Christine Anderson
No action
Recognition for long service on the Planning Commission.
Item Consent 3 · Development
Release of construction guarantee, Storrs Court, 162 W. 400 South
Approved · 5-0
Release of improvements construction guarantee and notice of acceptance; amount not stated in minutes. Consent also ratified payments Oct. 22-Nov. 4.
Item 1 · General plan
Land use map amendment, about 30.5 acres near 400 East and 1100 South
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Changed about 30.52 acres not yet annexed from Design Industrial to Residential Medium Density. Mr. Hill of Property Reserve Inc. (the church's real estate arm) said it plans a long-term rental community of small-lot homes and possibly townhomes at about 6-7 units per acre, typically about 300 units with amenities; a land swap involves the Horan property. Members prefer owner-occupied homes; Hunter said he would not support more than 6-7 units per acre, to be capped in the annexation agreement. Publication withheld until Planning Commission conditions are met (Resolution 2025-11-23R).
- Acres: 30.52
- Design Industrial → Residential Medium Density
- Target density: 6-7 units/acre
Item 2 · Budget
FY2026 budget amendments
Approved · 5-0
Mostly carryovers; about $400,000 in higher-than-expected sales tax used partly for salary adjustments, including $150,000 in salaries (a mid-year police pay range fix and an administration reorganization) and $96,000 in other expenses. Holley worried about relying on sales tax for wages; Hunter called it one-time.
- Resolution 2025-11-24R
Item 3 · Roads and utilities
Rocky Mountain Power easement on city property
Approved · 5-0
Right-of-way easement along the east side of the administration building parking lot, paid for by an adjacent developer.
Item 4 · Other
Disposition of lost, mislaid or seized property
Approved · 5-0
Resolution 2025-11-25R.
Item 5 · Development
Bach Homes appeal of DRC denial, High Pointe apartments (Lake City Row Phase 2)
Approved · 3-2
Sitting as appeal authority limited to whether the project met the commercial element requirement, the council reversed the DRC's denial. Holley said Lake City Row became apartments and asphalt with little open space and no commercial, calling the developer's equal-protection framing disingenuous; Carroll said she felt forced and betrayed by how the development agreement turned out; Mayor Frost said what was promised and what exists are 'two different things.' Bach Homes counsel Stewart Harman said earlier phases were built without commercial and the applicant was treated differently. The motion limited the decision to Phase 2 with no precedent for other phases. Written findings adopted Dec. 9.
- Developer: Bach Homes
- Counsel: Stewart Harman
Item 6 · Other
Closed session
No action
Listed on agenda.
What residents said
No one spoke during public comment.