Lehi council approves smaller home setbacks 4-1, tables bridge safety ordinance and swaps land near Mellor-Rhoads Park
September 9, 2025, 5:03 p.m. · Council Chamber, Lehi City Hall, 153 N. 100 East
The Lehi City Council approved reduced setbacks for home remodels and additions in a 4-1 vote, with Council Member Michelle Stallings opposed, and approved a land exchange with S&P Lewis Properties next to Mellor-Rhoads Park. It tabled a bridge safety ordinance, approved the Maverik zone change on Main Street and the Auburn Spring grading permit, and heard a regional east-west traffic study in pre-council.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 2.1 · Roads and utilities
Lehi East-West transportation study
Discussed
Josh Gibbons of Hales Engineering said Lehi is expected to reach 185,000 people at buildout with about 183,000 car trips a day and a 101,000-trip deficit on east-west roads. MAG is studying three freeway-level options: expanding Pioneer Crossing, expanding Pony Express Parkway or a new North Lakeshore road, with the North Lakeshore adding the most capacity. City Engineer Lorin Powell favored the North Lakeshore option; Mayor Johnson stressed reserving corridors now and noted fault-line concerns for the lake. Only a new freeway nearly closes the gap.
Budget
Administrative report: bond rating trip
Discussed
City Administrator Jason Walker said a trip to San Francisco for bond ratings went well and results are expected in two weeks.
Item 6 · Other
Closed session on purchase or lease of real property
Approved · 5-0
The council voted to go into closed session.
Item 5 · Contract
First Amended Network Operation Agreement with Uintah Basin Electronic Telecommunications (Strata Networks) (Resolution 2025-65)
Approved · 5-0
Fiber Manager Shaye Ruitenbeek said nothing changes in practice; the amendment aligns the agreement with what is happening.
- ContractAmount not given to Uintah Basin Electronic Telecommunications (Strata Networks)
Item 6 · Public safety
Bridge safety ordinance (Ordinance 57-2025)
Tabled · 5-0
Police Chief Darren Paul said the ordinance responds to people jumping into the river from a four-foot-wide pedestrian bridge on the Jordan River Trail and blocking other users. Council Member Stallings suggested signage allowing activities such as fishing on wider bridges and drafting the rule around obstruction; City Attorney Ryan Wood noted signage can be removed and the city may not control signs on all bridges. The council tabled the ordinance to rework it.
Item 7 · Parks
Real estate exchange agreement with S&P Lewis Properties next to Mellor-Rhoads Park (Resolution 2025-66)
Approved · 5-0
Steve Marchbanks and Tony Trane said the exchange, after a three-year process, is meant to widen the city's sports fields.
- Land dealAmount not given to S&P Lewis Properties
Item 8 · City code
Setbacks for remodels and additions in RA-1 and R-1-15 (Ordinance 49-2025)
Approved with conditions · 4-1
Kim Struthers said the amendment allows reduced setbacks after two years, though the Planning Commission recommended against, preferring smaller setbacks from the start. Council Member Stallings called the two-year rule arbitrary and said it protects privacy of those who bought larger lots, and worried developers would seek exemptions. Council Members Newall, Condie, Albrecht and Hancock said setbacks are already inconsistent with sheds and accessory dwellings allowed closer to lines; the ordinance began with a resident who could not add a porch. Mayor Johnson said the reductions let families expand rather than move. The council approved it and directed staff to remove the two-year wait in all zones allowing reductions, include R-1-22, require the owner's certificate of occupancy, and reorganize the table.
Item 9 · City code
Renewable energy regulations: remove conditional use (Ordinance 50-2025)
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Struthers said the change is part of the Planning Commission's effort to eliminate conditional uses. Council Member Newall asked about dropping the noise study; the council kept noise study requirements for large projects. Struthers said there is little chance of a wind farm in Lehi.
Item 10 · City code
Tandem parking in the off-street parking table (Ordinance 48-2025)
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Struthers said the change brings city code into line with state code.
Item 11 · Subdivision
Bibian Estates Phase 3 approval extension
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Austin White of Focus Engineering said construction has been slower than expected. The council extended the approval that expired April 11, 2025 to April 11, 2026; White said work may take longer.
Item 12 · Development
Grant's Corner development agreement amendment for auto accessories installation (Resolution 2025-64)
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Prospective tenant Sam Johnston said the amendment lets him run a franchise. Struthers said all work is indoors and the city wants to avoid heavier automotive service; the motion incorporated the Planning Commission's list of allowed services.
Item 13 · Zoning
Maverik zone change, 520 W. Main Street (Ordinance 56-2025)
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Rick Magnus of AWA Engineering said the lot will no longer be a fueling station and a credit union is planned; the change from Mixed Use to Commercial lets it have a drive-through. The council approved 0.72 acres with Planning Commission and DRC comments.
- Acres: 0.72
- Current zone → proposed: Mixed Use → Commercial
Item 14 · Development
Auburn Spring grading permit, 400 South 2500 West
Approved · 5-0
Spencer Lowell of Edge Homes said preconstruction starts in a few weeks and the company wants to grade phases one and two together. Council Member Condie asked about access, since the only current access is through a residential street; staff noted connections at the southwest and southeast corners and a stub to the east. The permit covers about 34 acres.
- Acres: about 34
- Applicant: Edge Homes
What residents said
Roads lagging growthCut-through traffic2300 West constructionCrosswalk safety near Fox Hollow Elementary
Residents asked about infrastructure lagging growth, flashing crosswalk lights versus flags, neighborhood cut-through traffic, long-running lane closures on 2300 West by Willow Creek (staff said work should finish by month's end), student safety on 1200 West by Fox Hollow Elementary, a development on North Dry Creek Way and air quality.