Council allows backyard cottages on large lots ahead of state deadline
September 22, 2026, 7:00 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
The American Fork City Council voted 4-0 to allow detached accessory dwelling units on single-family lots of at least 11,000 square feet, meeting an Oct. 1 state deadline while promising to revisit parking, height, water and impact-fee questions. The council also made property owners responsible for clearing sidewalks along the side and rear of their lots, ordered $55,367 in steel for temporary Fire Station 53, and approved year-end budget adjustments.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Public hearing on fiscal 2026 budget amendments | No action |
| Release of durability retainer, Fenn Farms, 350 S. 700 West | Approved · 4-0 |
| Beer licenses for Solrise II stores, 21 N. 1020 West and 585 E. State Road | Approved · 4-0 |
| Fiscal 2026 budget amendments | Approved · 4-0 |
| Water banking agreement with Deer Park Development (42.112 acre-feet) | Approved · 4-0 |
| Detached accessory dwelling unit ordinance (Section 17.5.136) | Approved · 4-0 |
| Sidewalk maintenance on side and rear frontages (Section 12.12.030) | Approved · 4-0 |
| Steel for temporary Fire Station 53 building | Approved · 4-0 |
| Closed session on property and litigation | No action · 4-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item Hearing 1 · Budget
Public hearing on fiscal 2026 budget amendments
No action
No one spoke.
Item Consent 1 · Development
Release of durability retainer, Fenn Farms, 350 S. 700 West
Approved · 4-0
Release of the $3,574,043.30 improvements durability retainer after the one-year warranty period, with the city taking over maintenance of public improvements.
- Payment$3.57 million to Fenn Farms developer
Item Consent 2-3 · Other
Beer licenses for Solrise II stores, 21 N. 1020 West and 585 E. State Road
Approved · 4-0
Class A beer licenses for Solrise II UT-8 LLC and Solrise II UT-10 LLC.
Item 1 · Budget
Fiscal 2026 budget amendments
Approved · 4-0
Resolution 2026-09-44R adjusts the year-end budget, all funded by additional revenue: general fund $146,997 (including $61,189 library, $19,181 tree maintenance, $15,578 community services, $8,251 public works administration, $7,298 legislative and a $35,500 transfer to the Fitness Center fund), PARC tax fund $91,750, sanitation fund $31,235 and debt service $1,000.
- Budget$146,997
- Budget$91,750
- Budget$35,500
- Budget$31,235
- Budget$1,000
- Resolution No. 2026-09-44R
Item 2 · Contract
Water banking agreement with Deer Park Development (42.112 acre-feet)
Approved · 4-0
Banks 42.112 acre-feet of water rights from Deer Park Development LLC as credits toward development water-dedication requirements.
Item 3 · City code
Detached accessory dwelling unit ordinance (Section 17.5.136)
Approved · 4-0
Ordinance 2026-09-21, required by Utah Code 10-21-304 by Oct. 1, allows a detached ADU on lots of at least 11,000 square feet with a single-family home. The unit's footprint may not exceed 1,500 square feet or the main home's footprint, nor be taller than the main house or 24 feet; side and rear setbacks are generally 12 feet (20 feet on a corner street side); with other accessory buildings it may cover no more than 25% of the rear yard. One on-site parking space is required under 650 square feet and two otherwise; an owner must live on site, only one ADU per lot is allowed, and rentals under 90 days are barred. The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously Sept. 16. Councilmember Staci Carroll questioned 24-foot units at 12-foot setbacks; Councilmember Ernie John raised neighborhood fit and water and sewer capacity in older areas; Councilmember Ryan Hunter wanted more discussion of tandem parking. Members listed height, tandem parking, utilities, impact fees and water dedication for a future work session.
- Ordinance No. 2026-09-21
- Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously, Sept. 16, 2026
Item 4 · City code
Sidewalk maintenance on side and rear frontages (Section 12.12.030)
Approved · 4-0
Ordinance 2026-09-22 makes owners or occupants responsible for maintaining sidewalk along the entire frontage, including side and rear. It was recommended by the Planning Commission Dec. 3, 2025 and tabled in January at the mayor's request. Councilmember Tim Holley worried about elderly or disabled residents with rear fences on busy roads like 700 West; members suggested volunteer help and requiring rear gates in future subdivisions.
- Ordinance No. 2026-09-22
Item 5 · Public safety
Steel for temporary Fire Station 53 building
Approved · 4-0
Purchase order to CO Building Systems for steel for the metal building at temporary Station 53, ordered early because of manufacturing lead times in hopes of installing before snow.
- Purchase$55,367 to CO Building Systems
Item 6 · Other
Closed session on property and litigation
No action · 4-0
Council met in closed session from 8:06 to 8:31 p.m. with the city administrator, legal counsel and development services director; no action reported.
What residents said
Police accountabilityNo-parking restrictions on narrow road off 700 WestCommunity garden
Roy Shaw, a retired Air Force security police member, urged the police chief and mayor to hold officers accountable. Emily Nelson proposed a community garden and is surveying residents. Timothy Bean, a new homeowner off 700 West, presented a 59-signature petition about no-parking restrictions on a 28-foot-wide road and asked the city to widen it or allow permitted parking on adjacent grass. Daniel Sroka said a meeting with Police Chief Cameron Paul about the Ben Schneider incident was productive.