Orem council removes three Planning Commission members and appoints replacements after crowded public comment
January 25, 2022, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, 56 North State Street, Orem
The council voted to remove Planning Commission members Mickey Cochran (6-1), Marissa Bentley (4-3) and Shauna Mecham (4-3), then unanimously appointed Madeline Komen, Amber Pope and Murray Low. Mayor Young said the moratorium on State Street planning expires Feb. 9 and the council was on a tight timeline. In the work session the council also discussed the Utah Lake Authority, tattoo businesses in the C3 zone, PD-21 parking and State Street rezoning.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Other
Utah Lake Restoration and Utah Lake Authority (HB 232) (work session)
Discussed
A staff presenter described the Utah Lake Restoration and Development Initiative proposed by Lake Restoration Solutions, Inc., a Provo city resolution saying the lake does not need restoration, a Utah Lake Commission resolution, and HB 232, which would create a 15-member Utah Lake Authority. Discussion covered the authority's possible taxing reach, water rights and environmental questions. Council Member Jeff Lambson said he saw the project as more development and commercialization than restoration. Mayor Young said the city should stay engaged on the lake. City Manager Jamie Davidson said staff would prepare a draft resolution for Feb. 8.
Zoning
Tattoos and body piercing in the C3 zone (work session)
Discussed
Planning Division Manager Jason Bench introduced a request by Indie Studio Suites, LLC to allow tattoo and body piercing businesses in the C3 zone. The council discussed where tattoo businesses are located and the differences between C2 and C3.
City code
PD-21 parking standards (work session)
Discussed
Bench said the change would raise required parking in the PD-21 zone from 0.62 stalls per bed to 1 stall per bed. The council expressed support.
Zoning
State Street districts rezone and amendments (work session)
Discussed
Bench showed amendments that largely return portions of selected State Street districts from C3 to C2. The council discussed height and setback rules in C2, when existing buildings would need to conform, and residential development in these zones. Council Member Terry Peterson asked about enforcement; Bench said Development Services checks each step.
Other
Conduct of public meetings (work session)
Discussed
Police Chief Joshua Adams asked the council to focus on civility, order and safety, with the mayor keeping order and comments staying on agenda topics. He said a person can be removed as a last resort by a two-thirds vote. City Attorney Heather Schriever asked that the public speak at the microphone so comments are on the record.
Appointment
Appointments: Summerfest Commission and Natural Resource Stewardship Committee
Approved · 6-0
The council appointed Ashley Coleman to the Summerfest Commission and reappointed Quinn Mecham to the Natural Resource Stewardship Committee. Council Member Debby Lauret said she oversees both bodies and supported both choices.
Appointment
Remove Planning Commission member Mickey Cochran
Approved · 5-1
Council Member LaNae Millet moved to remove Mickey Cochran. Council Member Tom Macdonald said he regretted dismissing volunteers and felt the outcome was decided before the public meeting. Lauret said she had concerns about Cochran but they could be handled other ways. Peterson said the council is changing the State Street Master Plan and does not want anyone on the commission trying to derail it. Mayor Young said the moratorium expires Feb. 9, that the Planning Commission is the only body that could stop the master plan progress in time, and the council chose to reset the commission.
Appointment
Remove Planning Commission member Marissa Bentley
Approved · 3-3
Bentley was removed on a 4-3 council vote. Lauret said she saw no egregious problems warranting removal of Bentley or Shauna Mecham, and Lambson said differing views are valuable and that limiting people who disagree sends civil discourse out the window. Peterson thanked both for their service but said the council must protect the integrity of its vote on the master plan change.
Appointment
Remove Planning Commission member Shauna Mecham
Approved · 3-3
Mecham was removed on a 4-3 council vote with the same members opposed as for Bentley. Mecham, a sitting commissioner, told the council she was well qualified and that removal was not right.
Appointment
Appoint Madeline Komen, Amber Pope and Murray Low to the Planning Commission
Approved · 6-0
The council unanimously appointed all three in separate votes. Millet said the council independently reviewed applications and sent suggestions to the mayor. Low described himself as pro-business and pro-growth; Komen cited her zoning internship and concerns about density without parking; Pope said she wants to protect Orem's neighborhoods.
Presentation
Orem Justice Court annual report
Discussed
Judge Parkin thanked court staff, gave a history of Utah's court system and reviewed the most common infractions and the court's organization. Mayor Young asked for a statistics report.
What residents said
Planning Commission removalsTransparencyStreetlight repairsCouncil legal counsel
Most speakers addressed the planned removals. John Barrick, Jonni-Sue Schilaty, Haysam Sakar, Jenn Young and Eleni Wilding supported the council's changes or the removals. Barry Roberts, Heidi Cox (reading a statement from a commissioner), Shauna Mecham, Cissy Rasmussen, David Moulton, Carl Cook and Quin Mecham opposed removal, saying the commission should be independent and the process transparent. Marcia Reinhart asked about unfinished streetlight work.