Orem council approves rezoning of 400 West homes back to R8 and amends budget for utility bond proceeds
April 27, 2021, 6:00 p.m. · Orem City Council Chambers (held electronically), 56 North State Street
The Orem City Council unanimously approved rezoning about 4 acres along 400 West, 1637 to 1753 North, from NVD-Res-B back to R8, after continuing the request two weeks. It also amended the 2020-21 budget to add proceeds from the 2021 water, sewer and storm bonds, reappointed Heather Schriever as city attorney and named a ballfield for a late youth coach. In a work session the council heard utility master plan recommendations, a capital budget totaling $15.9 million and a proposal to release federal control of a business loan fund.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Presentation
Work session: Community renewable energy program
Discussed
The vice chairman of the Natural Resource Stewardship Committee reviewed the Community Renewable Energy program, including new developments making it more flexible, economic and environmental benefits, participation and utility cost changes, and a timeline. Members asked about the reasons for the changes, the opt-out provision and possible city participation.
Other
Work session: Releasing federal interest in the Economic Development Administration revolving loan fund
Discussed
Staff said the revolving loan fund, set up in 1986 with $400,000 from the Economic Development Administration (60 percent) and $265,000 from the city (40 percent), provides gap loans to small businesses. A federal 2020 act lets operators use the money more broadly and the fund qualifies for release of the federal interest. Defederalizing would let the economic development division use the funds to update the 2014 economic development strategic plan and possibly hire a business recruitment consultant. A separate $500,000 CARES Act loan fund created in August 2020 serves businesses hurt by the pandemic.
- Grant$665,000
Roads and utilities
Work session: Landlord agreements and utility master plans
Discussed
The deputy city manager updated the council on the landlord agreement program and rental license compliance. Consultants from Bowen Collins and Associates presented final 2021 water, sewer and storm drain master plan recommendations, including demand and storage projections, 10-year improvements and capital plans. Staff also presented fiscal 2022 capital spending of $15,886,924, including $2,092,000 for parks, $1,434,861 for water, $5,336,889 for water reclamation, $1,645,035 for storm water, $2,191,375 for roads and $2,018,189 from the transportation sales tax.
- Budget$15.9 million
- Consultant: Bowen Collins and Associates
Other
Work session: City Manager items
Discussed
The City Manager said the utility bond closed that day, the water tank agreement is being finalized, and a new Recreation Director has accepted an offer and starts May 17.
Item Consent · Appointment
Consent items: city attorney appointment and Clayton Riggs Field
Approved · 6-0
The council approved the appointment of Heather Schriever as city attorney, the reappointment of Wilford Whipple to the Board of Building and Fire Code Appeals, and a resolution naming field 3 at the City Center Baseball Complex as Clayton Riggs Field.
Item Public hearing 9.1 · Budget
Fiscal year 2020-21 budget amendment for bond proceeds
Approved · 6-0
The amendment adds grants and the proceeds of the 2021 water, sewer and storm sewer bonds, issued in April under the council's earlier authorization, to the enterprise funds that will pay for water, sewer and storm projects over the next few years. No one spoke.
- BondAmount not given
Item Ordinance · Zoning
Rezone of about 4 acres along 400 West, 1637 to 1753 North, from NVD-Res-B to R8
Approved · 6-0
The item was continued from April 13 so staff could confirm that owners were not confused about the request. Staff spoke with three owners and two other nearby residents and found all in favor. All owners except one, who also owns the commercial land to the south and west, had signed requests, and a February neighborhood meeting of about 30 residents favored it. The Planning Commission recommended approval. The council approved it with no recorded discussion.
- Acres: about 4.00
- Current zone → proposed: NVD-Res-B → R8
- Planning Commission: recommended approval
What residents said
Traffic on 400 West and 1600 NorthOBOK Condominiums proposalFire and emergency accessParkingIn-person meetings
Six people commented, mostly on the proposed OBOK Condominiums development at 400 West and 1600 North. Residents asked about fire access, hydrants, and emergency vehicle access for two six-story buildings; asked the city to prevent access onto 400 West and not build a connecting road from State Street to 400 West; asked for a traffic counter and patrols on 400 West; and said the developer's traffic study was done during COVID on a non-school day and should be redone. One speaker asked the council to approve the R8 rezone, saying it adds height protection, and urged defined height and density limits and more than 1.75 parking stalls per unit. Two speakers urged the council to open an application to review North Orem district zoning. Several asked for in-person or hybrid meetings, and one said the virtual format hindered public comment.