Orem council approves Auburn Meadows grocery store plan 6-1 after parking debate
October 26, 2021, 3:00 p.m. · City Council Conference Room (work session) and Council Chambers (regular session), 56 North State Street
The Orem City Council approved, with Council Member David Spencer opposed, changes to the Auburn Meadows PD-43 zone that replace a planned senior living area with a grocery store at Geneva Road and 2000 South. The item had been continued from Sept. 14 so the developer could address parking concerns. The council also approved a 10-year Rocky Mountain Power franchise agreement, a budget amendment and the use of community development block grant funds. The minutes' cover page is dated Sept. 28, 2021, but the contents match the Oct. 26 meeting.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Orem's mayor is a voting member of the seven-member council. The minutes count the six council members in each tally and record the mayor's vote beside it, so a council vote of 6-0 with the mayor voting yes is 7-0 with the mayor.
In brief
7 items came up for a decision or discussion: 4 approved and 3 discussed.
1 vote was not unanimous: Auburn Meadows (PD-43) Area B: grocery store and concept plan, Geneva Road and 2000 South (5-1).
The agenda records 2 dollar amounts, the largest $50.0 million.
2 items here are tracked in the city's development tracker.
This write-up links 3 source documents and the meeting video.
7 members were present.
Residents raised parking near geneva road, sienna villas expansion, traffic, foundation damage near geneva road, and neighborhood character.
The previous City Council meeting was on September 28, 2021: Orem council backs state grant bid for Crandall Orchard conservation easement
The next one was on November 16, 2021: Orem council certifies 2021 general election results in brief special session
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Auburn Meadows (PD-43) Area B: grocery store and concept plan, Geneva Road and 2000 South | Approved · 6-1 with the mayor |
| Rocky Mountain Power franchise agreement | Approved · 7-0 with the mayor |
| Community Development Block Grant projected use of funds | Approved · 7-0 with the mayor |
| Fiscal 2021-2022 budget amendment | Approved · 7-0 with the mayor |
| Work session: Alpine Aqueduct project | Discussed |
| Work session: American Rescue Plan Act funding | Discussed |
| Work session: Farley property water tank and massage establishment code | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Zoning
Auburn Meadows (PD-43) Area B: grocery store and concept plan, Geneva Road and 2000 South
Approved · 6-1 with the mayor
Planning Division Manager Jason Bench recapped the request to relocate units and build a grocery store, and said Area B would no longer allow housing. A developer representative said the project would add parking compared with now and cut parking problems, described enforcement programs, and said a temporary lot is in place until the property is built, with permanent stalls replacing it. Residents at the hearing said far more cars park on Geneva Road than the developer claims, that a grocery is not needed, or that it would add traffic; a resident of a nearby 55-and-older community said the developer and HOA would need to enforce occupancy strictly. The council voiced support for a grocery store in the area. Spencer voted no.
- Amends Orem City Code 22-11-56 (PD-43) and Appendix LL
- Housing removed as an option in Area B
Contract
Rocky Mountain Power franchise agreement
Approved · 7-0 with the mayor
City Attorney staff said the agreement gives Rocky Mountain Power access to public rights of way to install and maintain equipment. The term is 10 years; the previous agreement ran 50 years.
- FeeAmount not given to Rocky Mountain Power
Budget
Community Development Block Grant projected use of funds
Approved · 7-0 with the mayor
Staff reviewed past CDBG allocations, the amount remaining and the proposed uses. The city has about a year and a half to spend the money.
Budget
Fiscal 2021-2022 budget amendment
Approved · 7-0 with the mayor
Finance Director Brandon Nelson reviewed new donations and other amendments, including grant funding paying for items already budgeted. No dollar amounts are in the minutes.
Roads and utilities
Work session: Alpine Aqueduct project
Discussed
Central Utah Water Conservancy District staff said fault-line data led it to propose rerouting part of the Alpine Aqueduct. They estimated about $50 million, expected federal funding to cover much of it, and said construction would run from early 2024 to late 2026.
- Budget$50.0 million to Central Utah Water Conservancy District
Budget
Work session: American Rescue Plan Act funding
Discussed
Deputy City Manager Steven Downs said Orem received just over $16 million. The council discussed how much of the Hillcrest Park project it could cover and options for $2.5 million set aside for an emergency operations center at City Hall. After planned projects, $992,778 would remain unallocated.
- Grant$992,778
Roads and utilities
Work session: Farley property water tank and massage establishment code
Discussed
Staff presented two layouts for the Farley tank park based on an open house, and the council favored see-through fencing and a barn-like pump structure; staff aim to start construction in spring 2022. Separately, Deputy City Attorney Steve Earl outlined a code amendment tied to new state licensing for massage businesses and workers.
Presentation
Presentations: Youth Council, Orem Community Hospital, Arts Council and Recreation Advisory Commission
Discussed
The council swore in the Youth Council, recognized Orem Community Hospital's 40th anniversary, and heard annual reports from the Arts Council and the Recreation Advisory Commission, which said the new fitness center had over 20,000 members.
What residents said
Parking near Geneva RoadSienna Villas expansionTrafficFoundation damage near Geneva RoadNeighborhood character
Over a dozen residents spoke. Several living near the Sienna Villas apartments objected to a proposed expansion and to rezoning two family lots for higher density, citing traffic, parking, property values and neighborhood character. Others described parking and traffic near Geneva Road and Springwater Drive and asked for more parking at apartments rather than permit parking; one reported cracking in homes near Geneva Road and asked the city to look at groundwater pumping; one asked the council to act on a neighborhood care facility.