Lehi council narrows Traverse Mountain street-length exception to 120 units, tables substation and tank land change
January 12, 2021, 5:30 p.m. · Council Chamber, 153 N. 100 E., Lehi
The Lehi City Council voted 4-1 to amend the Traverse Mountain area plan to allow longer street blocks in Central Canyon, capped at 120 units, and tabled a separate change that would turn 5.2 acres of open space into a site for water tanks and a power substation. It also approved Pioneer Heights, a 45-lot subdivision, and selected Mike Southwick as mayor pro tempore.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 2 · Appointment
Mayor pro tempore selected
Approved · 3-2
Council Member Paige Albrecht nominated Council Member Mike Southwick and Council Member Katie Koivisto nominated Council Member Chris Condie. By secret ballot the vote was 3 for Southwick and 2 for Condie, and Southwick became mayor pro tempore.
Item 3.1 · General plan
Traverse Mountain area plan amendment (pre-council briefing)
Discussed
Assistant City Engineer Brad Kenison said the amendment is needed to add culinary and pressurized-irrigation water tanks and a power substation. The culinary tank would be underground and the irrigation water would be held in a reservoir. Power Director Joel Eves said the location saves cost and the city would buy the substation land from the developer.
Item 3.2 · Presentation
Environmental sustainability update and Mellor-Rhodes Park update (pre-council)
Discussed
Todd Munger and Steve Roll reported on school-zone air quality monitoring, a plan to challenge schools and parents to stop idling, and the Feb. 1-19 Clear the Air Challenge. Assistant Parks Director Jason Bond said the Mellor-Rhodes Park design is still settling on the central plaza, and the concept includes a 21-court pickleball complex.
Item 4 · Public hearing
Public hearing: up to $64 million in fiber network revenue bonds
Discussed
Kelly Nichols, Montina Hamilton and Dennis Beatty spoke in favor of a city fiber network, citing competition and service to homes. Spencer Wanesgaurd said the city is trying to solve a problem that does not exist. No vote was taken at the hearing.
- Bond$64.0 million
Item 5 · City code
Ordinance 04-2021: accessory dwelling units above garages on lots over half an acre
Approved · 5-0
The council took the item off the table (tabled Dec. 8) and approved the code change allowing accessory dwelling units above garages on parcels greater than half an acre.
Item 6 · Subdivision
Pioneer Heights preliminary subdivision, 45 lots, about 1452 W. 900 North
Approved · 5-0
Developer Danny Gutierrez said the stub roads to the east and west, the water easement recording and the groundwater concerns raised Dec. 8 had been worked out, with irrigation and tail water to be fully resolved before final approval. A neighbor said irrigation water could still reach land owned by the developer; another neighbor said the stub-road concerns were resolved to his knowledge. The council took the item off the table and granted preliminary approval.
- Applicant: Danny Gutierrez
- Lots: 45
Item 7 · General plan
Ordinance 03-2020: Traverse Mountain area plan amendment removing the maximum street length (Central Canyon)
Approved with conditions · 4-1
Matthew Loveland of Fieldstone Homes said the Hidden Canyon plan works with the topography, cuts earthwork, retaining walls and disturbed area, and reduces units from 176 allowed to 120, but needs about 700 more feet of road than the area plan allows. Staff recommended approval, saying the exception avoids heavy grading. Residents Rob Ludlow and Montina Hamilton opposed planning by exception, citing fire and snowplow access and unpaid private park impact fees; Travis Isakson wanted the park fee commitments honored; a Fieldstone representative said the park fee was not before the council and a road connection is not feasible. Fire and street staff said longer connections are less of a problem than cul-de-sacs. Council Member Katie Koivisto said she was uncomfortable changing the area plan. Council Member Chris Condie said a smaller footprint and less grading benefit the community. Council Member Paul Hancock's motion limited the change to Central Canyon, capped the area at 120 units with the remaining units retired, and cited about 200 cubic yards less excavation and three months less grading.
- Applicant: Fieldstone Homes
- Units: capped at 120 (176 previously allowed)
- Condition: applies only to Central Canyon; remaining units not transferable
Item 8 · Subdivision
Lehi Plaza Plat B amended plat
Approved · 5-0
Plat amendment dividing lot 1 of the Lehi Plaza subdivision into two lots.
Item 9 · Subdivision
Timp Point Phase 2 final subdivision, 80 condominium units, about 3300 W. 2100 North
Approved · 5-0
Final approval for an 80-unit condominium development represented by Edge Homes.
- Applicant: Edge Homes
- Units: 80
Item 10 · Other
Resolution 2021-02: rename Drexler Drive to Indian Ford Drive (Holbrook Farms Plat D)
Approved · 4-1
Staff said the property owners wanted to honor the historic Indian Ford Jordan River crossing. Council Member Koivisto worried about confusion at the intersection, and Council Member Albrecht raised concern over the cultural association with the word Indian. Council Member Southwick said the name recognizes a historic location. A motion by Koivisto to deny, seconded by Albrecht, failed 2-3 (Condie, Hancock and Southwick opposed). A second motion by Koivisto, seconded by Southwick, approved the change 4-1 with Albrecht voting no.
Item 11 · Subdivision
Hidden Canyon Plat D Phase 1 final subdivision, 20 lots
Approved · 5-0
Final approval for a 20-lot single-family development north of Fox Canyon Road.
Item 12 · Subdivision
Bronson's Corner Plat B drainage easement amendment
Tabled · 3-2
Applicant Keith Chapman said a retaining wall had been built over a drainage easement, and the plat amendment moves the easement to allow underground water retention. The council approved it, then later in the meeting (listed as item 17) voted 3-2 to table the same plat at Council Member Koivisto's request to see other planning commission applications; Albrecht and Condie voted no on tabling.
Item 13 · General plan
Ordinance 02-2021: Traverse Mountain area plan amendment, open space to public facility, 5.2 acres near 5700 N. Flight Park Road
Tabled · 5-0
Kenison said the water tanks must sit at a specific elevation for pressure zones, and Eves showed the substation would sit near existing transmission lines. The city intends to pay the developer for the substation land, while the developer would donate land for the water tanks. A representative of the property owner said proceeds from the substation land would go to the Traverse Mountain Trails Association. Resident Rob Ludlow said the plan takes open space, that the appraisal looked low, and that the city should pay for all five acres, noting a $100,000 line in the area plan; staff said they were unaware of that line and would research it. Council Member Condie asked for a closed session on the appraisal, held at about 11:25 p.m. The council then tabled the item and directed staff to review the area plan's financial documents and pursue a second appraisal.
- Acres: about 5.2
- Change: Open Space to Public Facility
Item 14 · City code
Ordinance 01-2021: density forfeiture for schools and churches in PC, PUD and PRD zones
Withdrawn
Code amendments to Chapters 6, 16 and 17. The item was pulled from the agenda.
Item 15 · Contract
Resolution 2021-01: grass-harvesting lease with Kraig Johnson
Approved · 5-0
Economic Development Director Marlin Eldred said the lessee asked to keep two Conex containers on the property for equipment. The council approved the lease with the lessee's requested changes.
- Land dealAmount not given to Kraig Johnson
Item 16 · Appointment
Resolution 2021-03: reappointment to the Metropolitan Water District of Lehi board
Approved · 5-0
Reappointed a member to the board of trustees of the Metropolitan Water District of Lehi.
What residents said
Traverse Mountain open spaceFire and snowplow accessPrivate park impact feesSubstation land appraisalFiber network bonds
Residents spoke at the fiber bond hearing (mostly in favor) and on the Traverse Mountain street-length and open-space changes, raising fire and snowplow access, unpaid private park impact fees, loss of open space and the substation appraisal. A skate park user asked for open winter restrooms and more trash cans.