Orem council approves rezone for two-lot split at 166 North 400 West, 5-1
January 28, 2020 · 56 North State Street, Orem
The council rezoned about 0.28 acres at 166 North 400 West from R7.5 to R6.5 so a lot can be divided for two homes with accessory apartments, and added the CM zone to those allowed to have wall signs. Council Member Terry Peterson voted no on both. In work session the council discussed affordable housing and planning for the southwest area near the planned LDS temple.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Wall signs allowed in the CM zone | Approved · 5-1 |
| Rezone 0.28 acres at 166 North 400 West from R7.5 to R6.5 | Approved · 5-1 |
| Southwest area planning near the planned LDS temple (work session) | Discussed |
| Board and commission appointments | Approved · 6-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item Public hearing · City code
Wall signs allowed in the CM zone
Approved · 5-1
Staff said the code did not list the commercial manufacturing (CM) zone among zones where wall signs are permitted, though the city had approved them there in the past. The amendment to Section 14-3-3 cleans up that language. No one spoke at the public hearing.
Item Public hearing · Zoning
Rezone 0.28 acres at 166 North 400 West from R7.5 to R6.5
Approved · 5-1
The lot is about 12,196 square feet with one house. The owner plans to divide it into two lots of about 6,939 and 6,540 square feet, below the 7,500-square-foot minimum in R7.5 but within R6.5's 6,500 minimum. Each lot would get a mirrored home of about 2,150 square feet including a 750-square-foot accessory apartment, and staff said parking requirements are met. Staff said neighbors appeared supportive after the applicant said the homes would not be used as multifamily housing. Council Member Debby Lauret raised the need for the primary homes to be owner occupied if the apartment is rented, and the owner said it would be written into the sales contracts. No one spoke at the hearing.
- Acres: 0.28
- Current zone to proposed: R7.5 to R6.5
- Condition discussed: primary homes must be owner occupied for the accessory apartment to be rented
Item Work session · Presentation
Affordable housing discussion (work session)
Discussed
Staff reviewed city efforts on housing affordability (student and multifamily housing, accessory apartments, a senior overlay zone, State Street mixed-use districts), the 2018 moderate-income housing study, a recent housing charrette and new state reporting requirements. A county housing needs assessment named limited land, construction costs, zoning and high rents as barriers. Staff said next steps may include accessory apartment changes, fast-tracking affordable projects, zoning for 'missing middle' housing, and inclusionary zoning, with forums planned in 2020.
Item Work session · General plan
Southwest area planning near the planned LDS temple (work session)
Discussed
Staff asked whether the council wanted to alter earlier approved plans for the southwest area given the announced temple site, and showed concept options including a trail network. City Manager Jamie Davidson said changing density would require updating engineering studies, master plans, the General Plan and impact fees, a process that could take over a year. Mayor Brunst said the discussion should wait for confirmation from the church about the temple. Council Member David Spencer said the city should also plan for areas that may be annexed in the future. No action was taken.
Item Consent · Appointment
Board and commission appointments
Approved · 6-0
The consent agenda re-appointed Sarah Bateman and Darren Hawkins to the Natural Resources Stewardship Committee, appointed Nathan Christianson and re-appointed Nancy Peterson to the Arts Council, and noted the city manager's appointment of Mickey Cochran to the Planning Commission.
What residents said
Housing densityAffordable housingGeneva Road widening
Murray Low, an Orem resident, said he disagreed that higher-density housing is unavoidable, argued the issue is space rather than affordability, and said density mandates would change Orem's identity as a family city.