After resident backlash, city scraps citywide rezoning proposal and leaves residential zones alone
March 17, 2026, 4:00 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
Staff told the council the original zoning map proposal tied to the general plan, which would have consolidated residential zones such as R1-9000, has been completely scrapped after a packed Planning Commission hearing. Only two small changes remain: squaring off the PO-1 professional office zone north of the hospital near 300 North and shifting State Street's eastern gateway from GC-1 to retail-oriented GC-2. Staff also previewed utility budgets, including a 12% culinary water increase, a $2 storm drain increase offset by a $2 sewer cut, and a $127,000 cemetery expansion.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Zoning
Proposed zoning map amendments
Discussed
Development Services Director Patrick O'Brien said the general-plan-driven zoning map (including eliminating the R1-9000 zone) was scrapped after heavy public feedback; residential zones (including R1-12 and R1-7500) stay unchanged. Remaining proposals: square off the PO-1 zone north of the hospital, affecting one residential lot, and rezone the State Street eastern gateway from GC-1 to GC-2 to favor restaurants and retail over warehouses. Councilmember Hunter relayed concerns from residents on the north side of 300 North about traffic and losing residential character, suggesting the south side of 300 North as the office boundary; O'Brien noted some owners are subdividing rear lots to sell to the IHC hospital campus. Hunter said the general plan consultant took a broader approach than staff intended; O'Brien agreed and said funding deadlines contributed. Timeline: Planning Commission April 15, open house May 20, council late June.
- Original citywide residential rezoning dropped
- PO-1 near hospital/300 North and State Street GC-1 → GC-2 remain
Item 2 · Budget
Fiscal 2027 perpetual care, IT, broadband, RDA, water, sewer, storm drain and sanitation funds
Discussed
Broadband fund is about 51% subsidized by the general fund. IT fund includes $100,000 for computer replacement (contracted IT: Tech Legion). Cemetery: $127,000 expansion into the former pony fields adding about 900 plots (about seven years of capacity) and $205,000 for about 224 cremation niches; reserve about $560,000. RDAs: Eastside and North Valley RDAs end this year; Egg Farm RDA funds 1100 South, 1500 South and storm water work; Patriot Station CRA bonds fund 200 South pending right-of-way. Utilities: culinary up about 12% (first since 2019); a $7.1 million Dixie Well would put the water impact fee fund in deficit, requiring interfund or private financing; PI rates held pending direction; TSSD charges up 15% in January; storm drain +$2 offset by city sewer -$2; garbage increase absorbed; 450 West storm drain upsizing delayed by railroad coordination. Water projects: 100 East, 100 West, 200 West, 300 West, 600 West and 700 North lines and Boley Well rehab.
- Cemetery expansion: $127,000
- Cremation niches: $205,000
- Dixie Well: $7.1 million (impact fee fund deficit)
- IT computer replacement: $100,000