Lehi council denies Bull River Road density change and the SHAR starter-home ordinance, approves JDH Olson annexation
October 14, 2025, 5:30 p.m. · Lehi City Council Chambers, 153 N. 100 E., Lehi
The Lehi City Council voted unanimously to deny a general plan change that would have allowed 10 to 14 townhome-style units on 1.48 acres off Bull River Road, and unanimously denied, without prejudice, the Starter Home Attainable Residential (SHAR) ordinance. It annexed the 5.08-acre JDH Olson property at about 1500 South 1100 West with R-1-22 zoning and approved a 0.50-acre general plan change for a real estate office at 1035 West Main Street on a 3-1 vote. Residents also pressed the council about missing sidewalks and crosswalks near Ascent Academy. Council Member Chris Condie was excused.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 2.2 · Presentation
Transit Fresh Look Study presented
Discussed
Kendall Willardson, a transportation planner with the Mountainland Association of Governments, presented the Transit Fresh Look Study, begun in 2024. The study aims to build a unified transit vision for northwest Utah County and southwest Salt Lake County, with a focus on regional connections including light rail and bus rapid transit.
Item 2.3 · Budget
Shift differential pay for police officers
Discussed
The police chief proposed extra pay for less desirable shifts: 5% more for graveyard-shift officers and 2.5% more for evening-shift officers. He said the department moved more than a year ago from a rotating schedule to a seniority-based shift bid, which left newer officers with the less desirable shifts consistently. He said differential pay is standard among other agencies and would help wellness, work-life balance, recruitment and retention. The minutes record no vote.
Item 2.4 · Budget
Quarterly financial report
Discussed
Finance Director Dean Lundell reported sales tax revenue of $25.2 million against a $23.7 million budget, growth of 3 to 4 percent, and property tax of $16 million against a $16.1 million budget. Total revenue was $65.7 million against $59.6 million budgeted, allowing a $6.5 million transfer to capital projects. Unassigned fund balance was $24.5 million, slightly above the 35% cap, made up of a $4 million floor reserve, an $11.6 million rainy-day fund and an $8.9 million risk-management reserve. The power fund is recovering from a difficult 2023 and a new rate study is under way.
Item 4.3 · Taxes and fees
Consent: re-approve ordinances ending the Thanksgiving Park and SR-92 Digital Drive redevelopment areas
Approved · 4-0
On the consent agenda, the council re-approved Ordinance 54-2025, terminating and dissolving the Thanksgiving Park Economic Development Project, and Ordinance 55-2025, terminating and dissolving the SR-92 Digital Drive Community Reinvestment Project Area. Purchase orders and minutes were also on the consent agenda.
Item 5 · City code
Chapter 37 connectivity standards amendment (Ordinance 59-2025)
Approved · 4-0
Community Development Director Kim Struthers said the amendment lets the city accept alternatives, such as keeping bicycle and pedestrian connections, in place of vehicle connections to local streets when those connections would push traffic past acceptable levels. It grew out of discussions on the Timpanogos Highway and Morning Vista retail project. Struthers said that developer chose not to use the flexibility, but it would be available to future projects. Approved with Development Review Committee comments.
Item 6 · Annexation
JDH Olson annexation, 5.08 acres at about 1500 South 1100 West
Approved · 4-0
Applicant Austin Cooper said his group bought 5.08 acres and wants to annex it along with an adjacent five-acre parcel it already owns for development. No one spoke at the public hearing. The council approved an annexation agreement (Resolution 2025-74) and then Ordinance 63-2025 annexing the property with R-1-22 zoning and Development Review Committee comments, each by a 4-0 vote.
- Applicant: Austin Cooper
- Acres: 5.08
- Zoning on annexation: R-1-22
Item 7 · Zoning
Lee general plan amendment, 0.50 acres at 1035 West Main Street (Ordinance 62-2025)
Approved · 3-1
Robert Lee asked to change the land use designation from Medium Density Residential to Commercial so his real estate and property management company can open an office closer to the freeway. Kim Struthers said the lot is surrounded by residential-agricultural zoning, with commercial zoning across the street and neighborhood commercial nearby. Council members asked about outdoor storage; none is planned, and storage would be indoors in the existing two-car garage. The council approved it with Development Review Committee and Planning Commission comments.
- Applicant: Robert Lee
- Acres: 0.50
- Land use: Medium Density Residential → Commercial
Item 8 · Zoning
Bull River Road general plan amendment, 1.48 acres (Ordinance 60-2025)
Denied · 4-0
Lindsey Neve of Perry Homes asked to change 1.48 acres at about 400 West Bull River Road from Low Density Residential to High Density Residential for 10 to 14 units, and offered to reduce from 14 to 10 units after planning commission feedback. She said the parcel was left over from a larger annexation and would serve as a transition. Council Member Heather Newall noted the land is zoned R1-10 and surrounded by single-family homes. Council Member Paul Hancock cited traffic and said it would create an island of high density. Council Member Michelle Stallings appreciated Perry's outreach but said the jump from low to high density was too large. Seven residents spoke against it, citing parking spillover into the cul-de-sac, child safety, a required pedestrian walkway, and assurances they said buyers had received that the land would stay low density. The council voted to deny.
- Applicant: Perry Homes (Lindsey Neve)
- Acres: 1.48
- Land use: Low Density Residential → High Density Residential
- Units sought: 10-14
Item 9 · City code
Starter Home Attainable Residential (SHAR) ordinance (Ordinance 61-2025)
Denied · 4-0
City planner Brittney Harris presented the ordinance, developed over 14 to 15 months, to allow small single-family homes priced around $400,000 with owner-occupancy deed restrictions, a 1.5 density bonus in R1-12 and smaller zones, a development agreement process that keeps council discretion, and no accessory dwelling units. She said it would satisfy moderate-income housing goals for three years and count as three of the five required strategies; the state penalty for noncompliance could reach $250 a day, or $91,250 a year. Eight residents spoke against it, questioning whether $400,000 is attainable, how deed restrictions would be enforced, overlay stacking, parking and density. Council Member Paige Albrecht worried about enforcement and narrow streets; Council Member Heather Newall supported the concept but cited infrastructure and enforceability; Council Member Paul Hancock supported the housing goal and preferred a local ordinance to state-imposed rules; Council Member Michelle Stallings opposed a citywide overlay in favor of area-specific planning. The council denied it without prejudice and directed staff to look at other cities' ordinances.
What residents said
Sidewalks and crosswalk at Ascent AcademyParking and traffic at Bull River RoadDensity near cul-de-sacsDeed-restriction enforcement for SHAR homesAffordability of $400,000 starter homes
During citizen input, Jessica Willardson, Joey Willard and Nicole Gray described the lack of a sidewalk on the south side of 900 North and of a crosswalk at Ascent Academy; Gray said her son was hit by a car at the school the previous week. Willard offered two options, a sidewalk from the school to 1700 West or a crosswalk plus completed sidewalks, and said over 800 households would benefit. Traffic engineer Luke Seegmiller said the city had resisted a crosswalk to discourage parents from using a church parking lot for drop-off, but after counting 10 students crossing decided to install one, and hoped the contractor would finish pedestrian ramps within weeks. Spencer Fife spoke on congressional redistricting maps. Residents also spoke on the Bull River Road amendment and the SHAR ordinance (see items).