PARC grantees report; staff proposes no-parking red curbs and narrower bike lanes on TOD streets for fire access
February 6, 2024, 4:00 p.m. · American Fork City Administration Conference Room, 51 E. Main St.
With Councilmember Staci Carroll absent, city parks staff, the library and the Harrington Center reported on PARC-funded projects, including six lit pickleball courts at Hindley Park and new playgrounds. City Engineer Ben Hunter proposed restriping 350 South and 900 West in the TOD with wider travel lanes, a 10-foot cycle track and red-curb no-parking zones after firefighters struggled to set up at a November fire; the fire chief said trucks need 26 feet of asphalt. Arborist Ben Ash proposed tree-placement rules, legal counsel outlined shifting site-plan approvals to the Planning Commission, and City Administrator David Bunker objected to a Utah County draft that would leave American Fork, Lehi and Highland carrying the cost and liability of the county equestrian park.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Parks
Midyear PARC reports on 2023-24 projects
Discussed
Parks: Hindley Park six lit pickleball courts and restroom by spring (streets crew put in 270 hours); new playgrounds at Miller and Greenwood parks (city demolition saved $8,000-$10,000 each); Rotary Park basketball court; Art Dye restroom near the dog park. Library: imaginative play area, rotunda mural by April Dawn Terry ($3,500 so far), sound system. Harrington Center: Living Bethlehem ($25,000 grant, 6,000 attendees), Fork Fest, Concerts in the Park, sculpture walk, portable stage ($6,143 from PARC, matched by a donor).
- Grant$25,000 to Harrington Center for the Arts
- Grant$6,143 to Harrington Center for the Arts
Item 2 · Roads and utilities
Restriping 350 South and 900 West in the TOD
Discussed
Ben Hunter proposed adding a foot to each travel lane and cutting the cycle track from 12 to 10 feet between 700 West and 900 West on 350 South, with no street parking and red curbs. Fire Chief Aaron Brems said a November fire showed trucks need 26 feet. Police Chief Cameron Paul said citations don't work because owners can't be tied to the driver and favored towing plus an education campaign. Options for 900 West and 1100 West collectors: no parking with 13-foot lanes, or parking on one side. Bunker opposed removing bike lanes; Eileen Miller of the Utah Valley Home Builders Association said units have more cars than the 1.5-space standard assumes.
Item 3 · City code
Park strips and tree placement code
Discussed
Arborist Ben Ash proposed requiring trees to be at least 4 feet from hardscape (8-foot park strip needed) and clearances of 8 feet over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets. John asked about shallow pipes. Adopted Feb. 27.
Item 4 · City code
Land use and development code rewrite: land use authorities and appeals
Discussed
Legal counsel Cherylyn Egner proposed that the Planning Commission approve site plans and conditional uses with appeals to the council, the Development Services Director approve subdivisions, building appeals go to the Board of Appeals, and the Board of Adjustment handle only variances. The council agreed.
Item 5 · Contract
Interlocal agreement with Utah County, Highland and Lehi on the equestrian park
Discussed
Bunker said the county's revised draft makes the cities operate the park and carry all liability while the county keeps revenue (including a cell tower lease) and can terminate on 180 days' notice; the county would pay 25% of capital costs up to $100,000 a year and co-sponsor TRC grant applications. The county later offered 25% of maintenance. The council asked Bunker to negotiate with Commissioner Gordon.
- Grant$100,000 to Utah County