Lehi council sets 2026 schedule with monthly work session, starts Kirkham Estates annexation and reviews 700 South bike lane changes
January 13, 2026, 4:30 p.m. · Lehi City Council Chambers, 153 N. 100 E., Lehi
The Lehi City Council adopted a 2026 schedule that adds a standalone work session on the second Monday of each month, and approved a resolution of intent to annex 7.24 acres near 500 East 700 South for the Kirkham Estates project with proposed TH-5 zoning. In work session items, the council asked staff for options on the 700 South bike lanes, reviewed a draft noise ordinance and a proposed transportation impact fee of $146.87 per trip, and discussed a Small Business Council and requests to the state on transportation funding and housing authority.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 2.1 · Parks
PARC tax recipient report: Harrington Center for the Arts
Discussed
Spencer Stevens reported that the grant paid for the 'Chalk It Up' festival at Adobe during Round-Up week, with estimated attendance of 10,000 in 2024 and 11,000 in 2025.
Item 2.2 · City code
Noise ordinance review
Discussed
Community Development Director Kim Struthers presented the latest draft covering who can be cited, hours, how sound is measured and penalties. The council confirmed an approach of education and voluntary compliance first, with citations if people refuse. There was broad agreement on noisy work no earlier than 7 a.m. year-round and a 30-second measurement window. The city has basic and Type 2 meters and may need a costlier Type 1 meter if cases go to court. The draft moves violations to a Class C misdemeanor; one concern was that this lacks 'teeth', while City Attorney Ryan Wood said it better matches the seriousness of typical noise cases.
Item 2.3 · Other
Open and Public Meetings Act training
Discussed
Wood gave an overview of the act, the difference between a meeting and a public hearing, when social gatherings become meetings, closed-session rules and electronic communication.
Item 2.4 · Taxes and fees
Transportation impact fee facilities plan
Discussed
A Bowen Collins and Associates consultant said the plan sets what new development pays toward road projects needed in the next 10 years. She recommended a fee of $146.87 per trip, phased in with an increase of about 10% in 2026 (to roughly $134 per trip) and about 20% by 2035, and updating the fee about every two years.
- Fee$147
Item 2.5 · Appointment
Council assignments, including ULCT Legislative Policy Committee
Discussed
The council needed three voting seats on the Utah League of Cities and Towns Legislative Policy Committee. It selected Mayor Binns, Council Member Michelle Stallings and Council Member James Harrison as voting members, with Jason Walker and Cameron as alternates.
Item 2.6 · Roads and utilities
Modifying the 700 South bike lanes
Discussed
Council Member James Harrison said residents want changes to the current layout. Staff said the project was funded mainly with Mountainland Association of Governments trail money and, because of budget limits, was built as a two-way bike facility on one side with plastic bollards rather than a curbed, trail-like design. Engineering warned that changing the design too much could jeopardize phase 2 MAG funding (2300 West toward the Jordan River), which was approved as part of a cycle-track concept. Staff showed alternative configurations and early use data and acknowledged the need for better outreach. The council asked for design options, costs and funding effects.
Item 2.7 · Other
Lehi Small Business Council
Discussed
Council Member James Harrison proposed an unpaid advisory group of Lehi small business owners, including home-based businesses, to report to the council about twice a year on red tape, licensing and zoning. Members were generally supportive and wanted multiple industries represented and a council liaison. City Administrator Jason Walker said staff would research other cities' models and return with a framework.
Item 2.8 · Appointment
Procedures for council and Planning Commission resignations and vacancies
Discussed
City Attorney Ryan Wood said council vacancies are governed by state law: written notice to the full council, at least 14 days' public notice, and filling the seat in an open meeting. He said some December steps, such as the resignation letter going first to the mayor, were technical errors that do not invalidate the appointment, and described similar notice misses for the Planning Commission appointments. Council Member Michelle Stallings raised concern that in December the vote was stopped once a majority was reached, so she and another member did not formally vote; Wood said his advice about ending rounds was misunderstood. Council Members Harrison and Rachel Freeman said they would have supported appointing Council Member Emily Lockhart under a perfect process, and members said the discussion was about improving future procedures, not challenging her seat.
Item 2.9 · Other
Request to the state on transportation investment and local housing authority
Discussed
Council Member James Harrison drafted a resolution noting Utah County's growth and arguing transportation funding does not match it compared with Weber and Davis counties, and opposing state preemption of local land use. Members agreed the issues are real but urged coordination with neighbors, MAG and the Utah League of Cities and Towns. Council Members Heather Newall and Emily Lockhart noted Utah County recently received a $1.4 billion package and said any request should be collaborative in tone. The draft would be sent to ULCT for feedback and may be split into two resolutions.
Item 5 · Other
2026 City Council meeting schedule
Approved · 5-0
The council settled on regular meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 7 p.m., with pre-council at 4:30 that includes work session items, plus an added work session at 4 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, with more as needed.
Item 6 · Annexation
Kirkham Estates annexation: resolution of intent, 7.24 acres at about 500 East 700 South (Resolution 2026-01)
Approved · 5-0
A Flagship Homes representative, under contract with the owner, said they are pursuing annexation first and have no final development plan beyond the requested TH-5 zoning. The council approved the resolution of intent to annex with Development Review Committee comments.
- Applicant: Flagship Homes (under contract with owner)
- Acres: 7.24
- Proposed zoning: TH-5
Item 7 · Appointment
Utah Lake Authority Governing Board assignment (Resolution 2026-02)
Approved · 5-0
The council designated Mayor Paul Binns as Lehi's representative on the Utah Lake Authority Governing Board.
What residents said
Safety near schools700 South bike lanes
Chad Watkins and another speaker from Strong Towns Lehi urged curb extensions near schools and safer street design after a recent student-vehicle crash near Lehi High School.