Council annexes 24-acre Chipman/Stake Center area, adopts new general plan and sells 100 West land for $1.4 million
September 8, 2026, 7:00 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
The American Fork City Council voted 5-0 to annex the roughly 24-acre Chipman/Stake Center area near 510-700 South 100 West into the PR-3.0 zone and approved selling nearby city land along 100 West to LeRoy Love and Devin Chipman for $1.4 million. The council also adopted a rewritten general plan 5-0 after two years of work and a public backlash over an earlier rezoning proposal, replaced the park strip tree code, and unanimously let a planned 122-room extended-stay hotel at 714 S. 600 East build 129 parking stalls instead of 153, overriding a planning commission recommendation. It also approved Hansen, Allen & Luce engineering contracts for the King Street and Main Street waterline projects.
From the approved minutes.
In brief
15 items came up for a decision or discussion: 13 approved and 2 discussed.
The agenda records 4 dollar amounts, the largest $1.40 million.
8 items here are tracked in the city's development tracker.
This write-up links 9 source documents and the meeting video.
6 members were present.
Residents raised hotel parking, oversized accessory building at 731 n. 900 west, oversized accessory structure on 900 west, police accountability, and prayer at council meetings.
The previous City Council meeting was on September 1, 2026: City Council work session canceled
The next one was on September 15, 2026: City Council work session canceled
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item Hearing 1 · Other
Public hearing: disposition of city property at 700 South 100 West
Discussed
Hearing on selling city-owned land near 700 South 100 West tied to the Chipman/Stake Center annexation. No one spoke.
Item Hearing 2 · Annexation
Public hearing: Chipman/Stake Center annexation
Discussed
Hearing on the roughly 24-acre annexation near 510 South 100 West. No one spoke.
Item Consent 4 · Development
Release of improvement guarantee, Roderick Catalyst Lot 7, 68 E. 1600 South
Approved · 5-0
Release of a $41,020 improvements construction guarantee and acceptance of public improvements.
- Guarantee released$41,020 to Roderick Catalyst (Lot 7)
Item Consent 5 · Other
Beer license, Rancho Markets, 702 E. State St.
Approved · 5-0
Class A beer license for the new Rancho Markets grocery.
Item Consent 6 · Roads and utilities
Waterline easement, National GMC Addition commercial site, 629 E. 1000 South
Approved · 5-0
Acceptance of a waterline easement for the commercial plat.
Item 1 · Contract
Water banking agreement with Layne Downs (71.92 acre-feet)
Approved · 5-0
Second water banking agreement with Layne Downs this summer, banking 71.92 acre-feet as credits toward development water-dedication requirements. Councilmember John noted his connection with the American Fork Irrigation Company. City Administrator David Bunker said the owner can end the agreement, but the water then reverts to the city.
Item 2 · Other
Sale of city land near 700 South 100 West for $1.4 million
Approved · 5-0
Resolution accepting an offer from LeRoy Love and Devin Chipman under a real estate purchase contract and Addendum No. 2 negotiated with the annexation agreement, and approving a dedication covenant requiring the buyers to give land back to the city, at no cost, for future roads and American Fork River corridor protection. The resolution grants no development rights and bars closing until annexation conditions are met. The Citizen noted the resolution lists the parcels inconsistently (two vs. three parcels).
- Land deal$1.40 million to LeRoy Love and Devin Chipman
- Buyers: LeRoy Love and Devin Chipman
- Price: $1.4 million
- Parcels: 13:050:0262, 13:050:0263, 13:066:0024 (about 6.5 acres)
- Carroll's vote not clearly recorded per the Citizen
Item 3 · Annexation
Chipman/Stake Center annexation ordinance, PR-3.0 zoning
Approved · 5-0
Ordinance annexing about 24 acres from about 500 to 700 South along 100 West, approving the annexation agreement and road dedication plats, and placing the land in the PR-3.0 zone for a single-family development and a Latter-day Saint stake center. Councilmember Ernie John said the annexation had come to the council 'in a couple of different guises' over two years.
- Acres: about 24 (23.991)
- Zone: PR-3.0
Item 4 · Annexation
Series 38 Annexation petition, 330 E. 580 South (about 1.5 acres)
Approved · 5-0
Resolution accepting for review a petition to annex about 1.5 acres near 330 East 580 South.
- Acres: about 1.5
Item 5 · Development
Parking reduction for American Fork Hotel, 714 S. 600 East
Approved · 5-0
TGC Group asked to build a 122-room WoodSpring Suites extended-stay hotel in the GC-2 zone with 129 stalls (1.06 per room) instead of the 153 (1.25 per room) code requires, using an early request-for-consideration process before filing a land use application. The Planning Commission recommended denial 5-2 on Aug. 19, citing trailers and overflow parking. TGC's Blake Heiman said the company's 41 hotels average about 1.08 stalls per room and promised not to seek further cuts. Councilmember Tim Holley called 1.25 'a lot'; Councilmember Ryan Hunter worried landscaping rules could later cost stalls; Councilmember Staci Carroll said she had not had time to read the commission minutes. A traffic impact study and site plan review are still required.
- Applicant: TGC Group (Blake Heiman)
- Rooms: 122; stalls: 129 (code: 153)
- Zone: GC-2
- Planning Commission: recommended denial 5-2 (Aug. 19)
Item 6 · City code
New park strip and tree code (Chapter 12.16)
Approved · 5-0
Repeals and replaces Chapter 12.16 with 'Park Strips and Trees': small approved trees allowed in strips as narrow as 4 feet, medium in 6-8 feet, large in 8 feet or more (the old code barred new trees in strips under 8 feet); lawfully planted trees are grandfathered unless hazardous; approved and prohibited tree lists must stay on the city website. The rewrite followed a case in which an elderly couple was charged over cherry trees planted using an outdated city guide. Councilmember Clark Taylor raised enforcement of neglected park strips behind fences.
- Planning Commission asked that location be measured from trunk center
Item 7 · General plan
2026 General Plan update
Approved · 5-0
Adopts a rewritten general plan covering land use, transportation, moderate-income housing, parks and open space, water, historic preservation and new 'development focus areas' for downtown and commercial gateways, closing a two-year effort. A February Planning Commission hearing drew about 350 residents objecting to a companion citywide rezoning, most of which the city withdrew. Land use and transportation maps are largely unchanged; low-density single-family categories are renamed 'single-family detached.' The council corrected parcel 13-067-0017 (south of 1100 South, east of Boat Harbor Road) to planned light industrial. Cost $162,222, with the city paying $16,222 and Mountainland Association of Governments the rest.
- Grant$200,000 to Mountainland Association of Governments
- Budget$22,000
- Plan cost: $162,222 (city share $16,222)
- Parcel 13-067-0017 redesignated planned light industrial
Item 8 · Contract
Engineering contract, King Street CDBG water line project
Approved · 5-0
The council approved a design contract with Hansen, Allen & Luce for the CDBG 11 King Street waterline and infrastructure project and a $6,100 engineering contingency held by the city. The minutes do not state the contract amount.
- ContractAmount not given to Hansen, Allen & Luce
Item 9 · Contract
Engineering contract, Main Street water line (Grant Ave. to 200 West)
Approved · 5-0
The council approved a design contract with Hansen, Allen & Luce for the Main Street waterline and infrastructure project from Grant Avenue to 200 West, plus a $15,200 engineering contingency administered by the city. The minutes do not state the contract amount.
- ContractAmount not given to Hansen, Allen & Luce
Item 10 · Other
Closed session
Approved · 5-0
The council met in closed session from 8:31 to 9:30 p.m. to discuss real property, pending or likely litigation, and the professional character or competence of an individual. No action was reported.
What residents said
Hotel parkingOversized accessory building at 731 N. 900 WestOversized accessory structure on 900 WestPolice accountabilityPrayer at council meetingsZoning for tattoo shops
Dale Stewart, with signatures from neighbors, said a large accessory structure on 900 West approved April 6 is three times the size of the home, that the city mismeasured the rear yard and cited the wrong parcel, and that he would seek an injunction. Robin and Nick McQueen asked the council to ease zoning limits that leave little room for a new tattoo shop. Daniel Sroka and Greg Hazard spoke about police accountability; Hazard also praised Chief Cameron Paul. Heidi Barben said she was uncomfortable with prayers at council meetings.