Veterinary clinics in shopping centers, more lawn at churches up for planning commission recommendation
October 7, 2026, 6:30 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
The Planning Commission's Oct. 7 agenda included hearings on allowing small-animal veterinary clinics as a permitted use in the SC-1 shopping center zone, sought for a Sploot clinic at Main Street Plaza, and on raising the lawn limit for churches and schools from 20% to 33% of landscaped area at the request of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A clerical fix to the administrative site plan code was also scheduled. Minutes and outcomes were not yet available.
From the agenda; results are added when minutes are posted.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 4a/5a · Zoning
Sploot Veterinary Clinic: vet clinics in SC-1 zone (Section 17.7.602)
Pending
Bloom Studio (Heather Richards, AIA), for a tenant at 34 N. 600 West #4 in Main Street Plaza owned by Waki Land Company LLC, asked to add "veterinary clinic (small animal care only, no outside runs, no overnight boarding)" to the permitted uses in planned shopping center projects in the SC-1 zone. The applicant argued the use is comparable to medical and professional offices already allowed and that local pet owners now drive many miles for care. Staff noted code text amendments are legislative decisions for the City Council after a commission recommendation.
- Applicant: Bloom Studio (Heather Richards) for Sploot Veterinary Clinic
- Site: 34 N. 600 West #4, Main Street Plaza
- Landowner: Waki Land Company LLC
- Limits: small animals only, no outside runs, no overnight boarding
Item 4b/5b · City code
Hillcrest 2, 3, 6 wards: more lawn for institutional uses (Section 17.21.020)
Pending
Eric Lyman, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asked to raise the maximum lawn for institutional uses such as churches and schools from 20% to 33% of total landscaped area, while multifamily, commercial and industrial sites stay at 20%. The church says local leaders found 20% too little for youth activities and gatherings, and that the cap discourages it from starting water-saving landscape projects at meetinghouses. Staff asked the commission to weigh what changed conditions justify it, why 33%, existing versus proposed turf and expected water savings, and why it should apply to all institutional uses.
- Applicant: Eric Lyman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Hillcrest 2, 3, 6 wards)
- Lawn cap for institutional uses: 20% → 33% of landscaped area
Item 4c/5c · City code
Administrative site plan review clerical fix (Section 17.6.101)
Pending
Staff-initiated amendment correcting a clerical error in the administrative site plan review section, relating to Development Review Committee approval of site plan amendments. The public hearing notice also listed a Performance Guarantee amendment (Section 17.9) on contingency amounts, expirations and warranties, but it did not appear on the posted agenda.
- Initiated by: city staff