Planning commission backs sewer district's Boat Harbor pump station site, approves 45-foot downtown billboard
June 18, 2025, 6:00 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
The American Fork Planning Commission recommended a land use map change for 31.71 acres near the Boat Harbor so the Timpanogos Special Service District can build a replacement sewage pump station, and re-recommended a corrected storm water code update. Commissioners approved a relocated 45-foot billboard at 77 W. Main Street under state law, a T-Mobile tower upgrade, and a revised site plan for a car dealership, cheer gym and retail building on Auto Mall Drive that no longer needs a parking reduction.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Storm water management and discharge control code update (Section 13.94), corrected version | Recommended for approval · 5-0 |
| Boat Harbor Pump Station land use map amendment, about 1611 S. 100 West (Harbor Road), 31.71 acres | Recommended for approval · 6-0 |
| 77 W. Main sign (App #2), relocated billboard, 0.32 acres | Approved with conditions · 6-0 |
| T-Mobile monopole upgrade (880629-685419), 1084 E. Pacific Drive, 0.97 acres | Approved with conditions · 6-0 |
| 500 East Auto Mall Drive site plan (revised), 452 E. Auto Mall Drive, 3.81 acres | Approved with conditions · 6-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 3a · City code
Storm water management and discharge control code update (Section 13.94), corrected version
Recommended for approval · 5-0
Storm Water Manager Tyler Mezenen said this was the same state-mandated update recommended May 21, 2025, but a miscommunication with the city attorney had marked some existing code for removal by mistake; the original language was restored and the amendment now changes only subsections 13.94.090 and 13.94.100. The changes adopt standardized state documents, clarify owners' duty to control runoff, add a storm water inspection process and follow-up before citations, and reduce when a land disturbance permit is needed. No public comment.
- Initiated by city staff
- Sections: 13.94.090, 13.94.100
- Reason: changes in state storm water law
Item 3b · General plan
Boat Harbor Pump Station land use map amendment, about 1611 S. 100 West (Harbor Road), 31.71 acres
Recommended for approval · 6-0
Change from the Resort land use designation to Institutional Lands, Schools and Public Facilities ahead of annexation. Brandon Wyatt of engineering firm Bowen Collins & Associates, representing the Timpanogos Special Service District (TSSD), said the district will replace its aging pump station at 1500 South and Boat Harbor Road, which is near the end of its design life and capacity, with a new station on a 32-acre site near the Timp Marina Club. Only about 7 acres would be developed for the station and the 1700 South road extension; the rest would be mitigated wetlands under Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction. The station would handle 53 million gallons a day at first, expandable to 81 MGD, serving American Fork, Lehi, Saratoga Springs and part of Eagle Mountain. Asked by Commissioner Bruce Frandsen, Wyatt said TSSD decided to annex because it needs city road access and culinary water, and will petition for annexation. Wyatt said neighbors had responded well to buffering and trail improvements.
- Applicant: Timpanogos Special Service District (Brandon Wyatt, Bowen Collins & Associates)
- Acres: 31.71 (about 7 developed)
- Land use: Resort → Institutional Lands, Schools and Public Facilities
- Capacity: 53 MGD, expandable to 81 MGD
- Includes 1700 South road extension and wetland mitigation
- Annexation petition to follow
Item 4a · Development
77 W. Main sign (App #2), relocated billboard, 0.32 acres
Approved with conditions · 6-0
Relocation of an existing billboard to the adjacent property to the west in the CC-1 zone, at 45 feet instead of the 35 feet first submitted. Planner Annalisa Reed said Utah Code 10-9a-513 lets outdoor advertising structures move within 5,280 feet and be rebuilt to the existing height up to 45 feet; the city's legal counsel agreed. Commissioner Rod Martin noted it is the only aerial billboard downtown, near Synergy Pet Salon. Breeze Stringham said the existing sign turned out to be 45 feet tall and nothing else changed.
- Applicant representative: Breeze Stringham
- Acres: 0.32
- Zone: CC-1
- Height: 45 ft (state law cap)
Item 4b · Development
T-Mobile monopole upgrade (880629-685419), 1084 E. Pacific Drive, 0.97 acres
Approved with conditions · 6-0
Upgrade of an existing monopole for T-Mobile broadband capacity in the GC-2 zone, with minor conditions to resolve review comments.
- Applicant: T-Mobile
- Acres: 0.97
- Zone: GC-2
Item 4c · Development
500 East Auto Mall Drive site plan (revised), 452 E. Auto Mall Drive, 3.81 acres
Approved with conditions · 6-0
Revised GC-2 site plan for a finished building with a car dealership, a gymnasium (cheer gym) and retail. Planner Cody Opperman said that after reclassifying parking uses (gym occupant load of 100 needing about 34 stalls; retail and warehouse about 30), 81 stalls are required and 105 are provided, so the parking reduction sought May 21 is no longer needed. Approved with outstanding Development Review Committee comments as conditions and a requirement to return if tenants or uses change. The applicant was not present.
- Applicant: Jared Huish (May 21 meeting)
- Acres: 3.81
- Zone: GC-2
- Parking: 81 required, 105 provided
- Conditions: resolve DRC comments; new site plan if tenant/use changes
What residents said
No one spoke at either public hearing. Brandon Wyatt of Bowen Collins & Associates spoke for the Timpanogos Special Service District; Breeze Stringham spoke for the billboard applicant.