Lehi council raises power rates with fuel adjustment, approves FrontRunner station area plan and tables Fox Canyon housing pending traffic study
January 10, 2023, 6:33 p.m. · Council Chamber, 153 N. 100 East, Lehi
The Lehi City Council voted 4-0 to amend the fee schedule for power rates by implementing the power adjustment clause to cover losses in the power fund, and approved the 11-acre Lehi FrontRunner Station Area Plan with the original 300 parking stalls. It tabled the Fox Canyon Townhomes (143 units) and Fox Canyon Plats A1 and I1 (41 lots) until a developer-conducted traffic study is reviewed. Council Member Chris Condie left before the regular session and Council Member Katie Koivisto left partway through, leaving three members for the later items.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 3.1 · Presentation
Fiber network update (pre-council)
Discussed
Shaye Ruitenbeek and Carl Sundstrom updated the council on the fiber project.
Item 3.2 · City code
Restructuring the Planning Commission (pre-council)
Discussed
Planning staff drafted an ordinance cutting the commission from nine to seven members while keeping alternates; Kim Struthers said many communities are structured that way and it could improve efficiency. Mayor Mark Johnson suggested an oath of office and discussed letting the mayor remove members without cause; there were concerns about giving that power to the mayor alone, and it was suggested that removal be subject to the council's advice and consent. Commissioners Greg Jackson (neutral on removal), Brent Everett (supports an oath and efficiency without sacrificing due process) and Heather Newall (supports an oath and removal without cause) gave feedback.
Item 5 · Taxes and fees
Power rates fee schedule amendment (Resolution 2023-01)
Approved · 4-0
Finance Director Dean Lundell said losses in the power fund from market volatility made it necessary to implement the power adjustment clause in the rate structure, and that the city also plans to draw on reserves. Michelle Stallings opposed the increase at the public hearing. The council amended the consolidated fee schedule for power rates.
- FeeAmount not given
Item 6 · General plan
Lehi FrontRunner Station Area Plan, 11 acres (Ordinance 01-2023)
Approved with conditions · 4-0
Jordan Swain of UTA said the plan is not an entitlement but a vision that lets UTA and others work together; many details remain. The Planning Commission suggested doubling the parking stall count. The council approved the plan with staff and Development Review Committee comments but removed the commission's parking recommendation, keeping the original 300 stalls with justification.
- Acres: 11
- Applicant: UTA
Item 7 · Development
Smart Cookies Academy daycare development agreement (Resolution 2023-05)
Approved · 4-0
Kim Struthers said the agreement allows the daycare and equestrian use instead of changing the land use designation. Matthew Jorgenson represented the applicant. The council approved it.
Item 8 · General plan
Smart Cookies Academy general plan amendment (Ordinance 02-2023, tabled December 13)
Denied · 4-0
The council took the item off the table and denied the amendment, which would have changed 2 acres from very low-density residential agriculture to neighborhood commercial. The development agreement in item 7 replaced it.
Item 9 · Subdivision
River Point Phase 2 final subdivision, 53 single-family lots and 20 townhomes
Approved · 4-0
Brandon Watts represented the applicant. The council granted final approval for the R-2 development.
- 53 single-family lots and 20 townhome units
- Zone: R-2
Item 10 · Subdivision
Fox Canyon Townhomes Plats J1 and L1, 143 townhome units
Tabled · 3-0
Heard with item 11. Rob Ludlow said the area has connectivity problems, that the city has already granted multiple connectivity exceptions, and urged a better plan with traffic circulation and lower density. Rich Kindred shared those concerns and said it does not align with the city's plan; Shannon Parker raised traffic and safety; another neighbor asked the council to deny it and require better connectivity. Dan Reeves of Perry Homes represented the applicant. Council Member Paige Albrecht said the bar for denial on health, safety and welfare is high and this does not meet it, but she wanted an updated traffic study. The council tabled the item and directed that a traffic study and review of the area plan's connectivity index be done, with the developer conducting the study and Lehi staff reviewing it.
- Units: 143 townhomes
- Land use: HDR1 and HDR2
- Applicant representative: Dan Reeves, Perry Homes
Item 11 · Subdivision
Fox Canyon Plats A1 and I1, 41 single-family lots
Tabled · 3-0
Council Member Paul Hancock moved to table this item on the same findings and direction as item 10.
- Lots: 41
- Land use: Flex
Item 12 · Annexation
Resolution of intent to annex the Lamb Property, 5.601 acres (Resolution 2023-03)
Approved · 4-0
The council approved the resolution of intent to annex, with R-1-22 zoning proposed.
- Acres: 5.601
- Proposed zoning: R-1-22
Item 13 · City code
Portable storage container requirements, Chapters 5, 12 and 26 (Ordinance 03-2023)
Approved · 3-0
Kim Struthers said the city is trying to be less regulatory with storage containers.
Item 14 · City code
Dog parks as multi-family amenity, Table 37.070 (Ordinance 04-2023)
Approved · 3-0
Struthers said the change formalizes that dog parks can count toward the multi-family amenity requirement.
Item 15 · City code
Final plat with no improvements, Chapter 11 (Ordinance 05-2023)
Approved · 3-0
Struthers said the change speeds the process for plat amendments that need no improvements.
Item 16 · City code
Moderate-Income Housing element revisions (Ordinance 06-2023)
Approved · 3-0
Struthers said the State requested these changes to the general plan goals, strategies and timeline.
Item 17 · General plan
Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan amendment adding regional bike facilities (Ordinance 07-2023)
Approved · 3-0
Struthers called it a minor update to meet grant eligibility requirements; a more comprehensive update is due in May or June.
Item 18 · Appointment
Taxing Entity Committee representatives (Resolution 2023-02)
Approved · 3-0
The council appointed two representatives to the Taxing Entity Committee for redevelopment and economic development project areas; the minutes give no names.
Item 19 · Appointment
Planning Commission appointment (Resolution 2023-04)
Approved · 3-0
The council appointed a commissioner; the minutes give no name.
What residents said
Power rate increaseFox Canyon connectivityTraffic and safety
Michelle Stallings opposed the power rate increase. Rob Ludlow, Rich Kindred, Shannon Parker and another neighbor spoke on the Fox Canyon items, citing connectivity exceptions, traffic and safety.