Planning commission backs hotel rezone near I-15 and city well site at 943 S. 900 West as hospital neighbors protest
June 3, 2026, 6:30 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
The American Fork Planning Commission unanimously recommended rezoning 3.13 acres at 714 S. 600 East from industrial to GC-2 commercial so a hotel can be built, and recommended reclassifying a city-owned 0.78-acre lot at 943 S. 900 West to public facilities for a future culinary water well. It also backed commercial zoning for 1.96 vacant acres at 375 S. 860 East, where the owner plans small office/storage units. During public comment, residents of 300 North near the American Fork hospital said proposed general plan changes would let Intermountain Health keep expanding into their neighborhood and that they had not been notified.
From the draft minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Land use map amendment, 375 S. 860 East (1.96 acres) | Recommended for approval · 7-0 |
| Zone change, 375 S. 860 East, PC and GC-2 to GC-1 | Recommended for approval · 7-0 |
| Dixie Well land use amendment, 943 S. 900 West | Recommended for approval · 7-0 |
| Dixie Well zone change, PR-3.0 to PF | Recommended for approval · 7-0 |
| American Fork Hotel zone change, 714 S. 600 East (3.13 acres) | Recommended for approval · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 4a · Zoning
Land use map amendment, 375 S. 860 East (1.96 acres)
Recommended for approval · 7-0
Change the general plan designation of two parcels (13:059:0130 and 13:059:0131) at the corner of 400 South and 860 East from Planned Community to Design Commercial. Planner Cody Opperman said the property has sat vacant for years; applicant Brian Fruit described a single building with small offices in front and storage in back for contractors, tradespeople and online retailers, similar in concept to the Copper Ridge business complex, with no residential use and little truck traffic. Staff noted 400 South and 860 East are minor collector streets and development must dedicate right-of-way (72 feet plus room for bike lanes, turn lanes and a future signal). No one spoke at the hearing.
- Applicant: Brian Fruit (staff report lists applicant as 'Staff')
- Parcels: 13:059:0130 (1.258 ac), 13:059:0131 (0.705 ac)
- Land use: Planned Community → Design Commercial
- Staff recommendation: approval
- Use: flex office/storage ('retail flex')
Item 4b · Zoning
Zone change, 375 S. 860 East, PC and GC-2 to GC-1
Recommended for approval · 7-0
Companion rezone of the same 1.96 acres from PC Planned Community and GC-2 to GC-1 General Commercial, which staff said fits the new Design Commercial land use. No public comment.
- Acres: 1.96
- Current zone: PC and GC-2 → proposed GC-1
Item 4c · Zoning
Dixie Well land use amendment, 943 S. 900 West
Recommended for approval · 7-0
City-initiated change of a vacant, city-owned 0.78-acre lot (parcel 34:727:0100, Lot 100 of AF PD South subdivision) from Residential Very-Low Density to Institutional Lands, Schools and Public Facilities so a city culinary water well can be drilled there. The site is on the southeast corner near the future roundabout on 900 West, south of 620 South at the edge of the TOD zone; the lot carries no residential density because its development rights were transferred earlier. Staff said the well building would sit on the north part of the lot and be designed to blend in with nearby homes using similar materials, fencing (concrete or wrought iron considered) and street landscaping; Assistant City Engineer Kelvin Smith said the city intends to be a good neighbor. Chair Christine Anderson asked whether the southern third could be used for a community garden or green space; staff said that would be decided at site plan, and the well itself would be secured. Access will be one driveway on 900 West aligned with the street across. No one spoke at the hearing.
- Applicant: American Fork City
- Parcel: 34:727:0100
- Acres: 0.78
- Land use: Residential Very-Low Density → Institutional/Public Facilities
- Use: future city culinary water well
- Site design, screening and building to come later in a site plan
Item 4d · Zoning
Dixie Well zone change, PR-3.0 to PF
Recommended for approval · 7-0
Companion rezone of the 0.78-acre well lot from PR-3.0 Planned Residential to PF Public Facilities. (The approved-minutes draft mislabels the item heading as the 375 S. 860 East zone change, but the motion is for 943 S. 900 West.)
- Current zone: PR-3.0 → proposed PF
- One access point on 900 West
Item 4e · Zoning
American Fork Hotel zone change, 714 S. 600 East (3.13 acres)
Recommended for approval · 7-0
Rezone of two vacant lots totaling 3.13 acres from PI-1 Planned Industrial, which does not allow hotels, to GC-2 General Commercial, which does. The lots would be combined through an amended plat. The land use map already shows commercial and land to the northwest is GC-2. The applicant said the brand was undecided but the company franchises Marriott, Hilton and other chains. Staff said curb, gutter, sidewalk and utilities are already in place and no public infrastructure expansion is expected. Commissioners said they were glad to see the site developed. No public comment.
- Acres: 3.13
- Current zone: PI-1 → proposed GC-2
- Hotel brand not yet chosen
- Blake Heiman listed among attendees; TGC Group later identified as applicant (Aug. 19, 2026 parking request)
What residents said
Hospital (Intermountain Health) expansion into 300 North neighborhoodLoss of residential buffer near hospitalLack of mailed notice for general plan changesNeglected hospital-owned homesRising property taxes from rezoningTraffic and safety on 300 North
Carol Bell of 300 North, speaking for about 26-27 residents who signed a petition, objected that the draft future land use map shows homes along 300 North as Professional Office, said neighbors got no mailed notice, and noted residents gave right-of-way for 200 North in 2008 expecting a residential buffer to remain. Trent Vukich said Intermountain Health (IHC) keeps buying homes on 300 North, including 1156 and 1188, and is about to tear one down, eroding the buffer next to the hospital. John Bell asked how the city will protect remaining residents from rezoning that favors hospital expansion and raises property taxes. Another resident cited traffic and safety near their home. Summer Bell Stevens said hospital-owned homes and lots are neglected, with weeds, debris and vacant structures. Staff said a general plan hearing and open house was planned for June 24 with 10-14 days' notice. Chair Christine Anderson said commissioners would only listen during public comment going forward. No one spoke at the five public hearings.