Council questions downtown housing rules, reviews drought plan
May 18, 2021, 4:06 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
In a work session, the American Fork City Council reviewed new CC-1 downtown zoning that allows apartments with no density cap as long as parking is met, with Councilmember Rob Shelton warning downtown streets cannot handle the traffic and asking for a minimum parcel size and tighter design rules. Staff also presented a draft water shortage plan that aims to stop using drinking-water wells to supplement the irrigation system.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| CC-1 downtown zone changes allowing housing | Discussed |
| Water shortage contingency plan draft | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · City code
CC-1 downtown zone changes allowing housing
Discussed
Senior Planner Adam Olsen reviewed Planning Commission-recommended CC-1 Central Commercial zone changes from the 2020 downtown economic development study: housing allowed with no density cap ('if it can be parked, it can be built'), no ground-floor residential on Main Street, parking behind buildings, auto sales and manufacturing removed, and four required design elements reflecting historic buildings. Councilmember Carroll disclosed a family member interested in developing downtown. Councilmember Shelton sought a minimum parcel size and said downtown roads and intersections cannot handle high-density housing without traffic studies; councilmembers asked for clearer material and architectural standards. Staff said three applications were active; the council considered but did not pursue a moratorium or repeal.
- Councilmember Carroll disclosed a family member interested in downtown development
Item 2 · Roads and utilities
Water shortage contingency plan draft
Discussed
Public Works Director Scott Sensanbaugher presented draft pressurized irrigation shortage plans with drought stages and a goal of never using culinary wells for irrigation; staff said culinary wells feed the PI system almost daily this season. Councilmember Shelton cited a 2006 voter pamphlet saying the PI system would use no culinary water and about $100,000 a year in well electricity, asked for exemptions for efficient watering systems, and urged enforcement against large users such as state land near North County Boulevard. Mayor Frost said a two-week push saved 160 million gallons in American Fork and 600 million across cities.