Orem council clears agenda as Sienna Villas rezone is pulled; UDOT outlines Geneva Road, State Street and 1600 North plans

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Zoning

   Siena Villas at Columbia Lane rezone, R6.5 to PD29, about 0.51 acres on Terrace Drive

   No action · Terrace Drive near Columbia Lane

   The ordinance would have changed about 0.51 acres on Terrace Drive from R6.5 to PD29 and updated the Siena Villas concept plans and elevations. Council Member David Spencer, conducting, said the item was removed from the agenda before the meeting and no discussion was held. During public comment, one resident thanked the developer for stopping the expansion, while another spoke against expanding high-density zoning near Terrace Drive.

   • Current zone to proposed: R6.5 to PD29
   • Acres: about 0.51

   Follow Siena Villas at Columbia Lane expansion in the development tracker →

2. City code

   Garage sale and enforcement code clarifications (Sections 22-1-3(C) and 22-14-28(F))

   Approved · 5-0

   Planning Division Manager Jason Bench said the Legal Department asked for clearer wording in the enforcement and garage sale sections. No one spoke at the hearing.

   Moved by Council Member Tom Macdonald, seconded by Council Member Brent Sumner. Vote: 5-0 among council members; Mayor Richard Brunst, participating electronically, also voted aye. Council Member Debby Lauret does not appear in the regular session record.

3. Appointment

   Consent agenda: Planning Commission appointments

   Approved · 5-0

   The council approved the reappointment of Ross Spencer and the appointment of Jim Condie to the Planning Commission.

   Moved by Council Member Tom Macdonald, seconded by Council Member Jeff Lambson. Vote: 5-0 among council members; Mayor Richard Brunst, participating electronically, also voted aye. Council Member Debby Lauret does not appear in the regular session record.

4. Roads and utilities

   Work session: UDOT projects in Orem

   Discussed · Geneva Road, State Street and Center Street, 800 North, 1600 North

   UDOT staff described five projects: widening Geneva Road from 1800 South to University Parkway to five lanes (summer 2023, about $20 million); the Vineyard Rail Consolidation Project (summer 2024, $16.84 million); sidewalk improvements on 800 North; extending raised medians at State Street and Center Street to stop left turns (summer 2022, $3.7 million); and an environmental study in 2022 for widening 1600 North, with design in 2023 and construction in 2024. UDOT said the number of homes affected on 1600 North is not yet known and that 1600 North east of State Street is city jurisdiction.

   • Budget$20.0 million to Utah Department of Transportation Geneva Road widening, 1800 South to University Parkway (project value). Paid from UDOT
   • Budget$16.8 million to Utah Department of Transportation Vineyard Rail Consolidation Project (project value). Paid from UDOT
   • Budget$3.70 million to Utah Department of Transportation State Street and Center Street median extensions (project value). Paid from UDOT

   Follow UDOT road projects in Orem (Geneva Road, State Street, 1600 North) in the development tracker →

5. Parks

   Work session: Parks Master Plan update

   Discussed · Citywide

   Consultant Lisa Benson of Landmark Design reported that residents want existing parks upgraded and more trails, that Orem has 299.02 park acres (3.05 per 1,000 people, which residents are happy with), and that about 37.3 more acres would be needed by 2050. Residents asked for dog parks, pickleball courts, splashpads and mountain bike trails. Proposed upgrades and additions total an estimated $67,322,500.

   • Budget$67.3 million to Landmark Design Estimated cost of proposed park, trail and amenity upgrades and additions (consultant's total)

6. Other

   Work session: Orem High residential parking district expansion

   Discussed · South of the existing Orem High Residential Parking District

   Staff said a citizen petition asks to add one street and a cul-de-sac just south of the current district. Staff said they issue two to three citations a day.

7. City code

   Work session: Utah Fit Premises Act ordinance

   Discussed

   Deputy City Manager Steven Downs described the state act, which sets livability standards for rental property, and showed examples such as mold at an Orem apartment complex. City Attorney Heather Schriever said the city may adopt an ordinance. Council Member Terry Peterson asked where to draw the line between an inconvenience and a danger.

8. Other

   Work session: Statewide opioid litigation settlement

   Discussed

   City Attorney Heather Schriever said Utah is eligible for between $151 million and $270 million and that more participating cities and counties increase the total, though little is expected to reach Orem directly. The council agreed to move forward with a resolution to participate.

   • GrantAmount not given State of Utah eligible for $151 million to $270 million from national opioid settlement; Orem share not stated. Paid from National opioid litigation settlement

9. Presentation

   Presentations: natural resources awards and Metropolitan Water District report

   Discussed

   The Natural Resources Stewardship Committee gave its first two leadership awards to local businesses. The Metropolitan Water District of Orem reported residents used 15 percent less water over the past year and that the Vineyard agreement would take effect once Vineyard finishes its water tank.

What residents said

High-density housing near Terrace DrivePublic noticing

One resident raised concerns about expanding high-density housing near Terrace Drive. Another thanked the outgoing mayor and Council Member Brent Sumner and the council for the State Street Master Plan open houses, and raised concerns about city noticing and expanding high-density zoning. A third thanked the Sienna Villas developer for stopping the expansion.