Orem council rezones State Street districts to pre-2018 zones and cuts C2 height limit to 48 feet, 4-0
February 22, 2022, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, 56 North State Street, Orem
With four council members voting, the council approved an ordinance returning properties in the five State Street districts to the zones in place before June 6, 2018, and tightening C2 height and setback standards along State Street. About a dozen residents spoke at the hearing, most in support. The council also amended the fiscal 2021-22 budget, continued the Utah Lake Authority resolution, and appointed a Planning Commission member. Council Members Debby Lauret and Tom Macdonald were absent, and Council Member Jeff Lambson took part electronically.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Contract
FlashVote public surveys (work session)
Discussed
Kevin Lyons of FlashVote described a quick-turnaround survey platform in which residents sign up and answer surveys, with addresses confirmed. He said typical public input matches whole-community sentiment only about 5 percent of the time. Council Member LaNae Millet asked how Orem residency is verified, and Mayor Young asked about age bias and requested the vendor's materials. No contract was approved.
Presentation
City communications and transparency portal (work session)
Discussed
Staff reported nearly 800,000 page views on orem.org in a year, over 30,000 combined social media followers and a monthly email newsletter to over 18,000 addresses. Staff said the Orem City Transparency Portal is live. Mayor Young asked whether audience applause could be included in meeting videos.
City code
Rental licensing program and ADU sewer fees (work session)
Discussed
Deputy City Manager Steven Downs recapped the December 2019 decisions requiring rental licenses and keeping utility accounts in the owner's name. Council Member David Spencer objected to paying a sewer hookup fee for both a home and an attached accessory dwelling unit. Mayor Young asked to revisit individual issues later.
Appointment
Planning Commission appointment: Tina Okolowitz
Approved · 4-0
The council appointed Tina Okolowitz to the Planning Commission. She said her goal is to support Orem families.
Appointment
Library Advisory Commission and Beautification Advisory Commission appointments
Continued · 4-0
Items 8.1 and 8.2, seven proposed Library Advisory Commission appointments and four Beautification Advisory Commission reappointments, were continued.
Contract
Consent: school resource officer agreement with Alpine School District
Approved · 4-0
A resolution authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement with Alpine School District for joint action on a school resource officer in Orem schools was approved on the consent agenda. The minutes do not state a cost.
- ContractAmount not given to Alpine School District
Zoning
Rezone State Street districts and amend development standards (Section 22-5-3(A), Zoning Map; Section 22-8-8)
Approved · 4-0
At the council's request, staff proposed returning all properties in the Hub, Arts, City Center, Canyon Crossing and North Village districts to the zones in place before June 6, 2018, mostly commercial but also residential and planned development zones. Standards change as well: C2 maximum height drops from 60 to 48 feet (35 feet within 100 feet of residential), a 15-foot landscaped setback from the back of the sidewalk is required, the maximum setback and minimum height requirements are removed, and references to the State Street districts are eliminated. The Planning Commission recommended the rezone. Speakers including Scott Swain, Alan Crudescamp, Andrew Wilding, John Barrick, Dale Cutler, Scott Dunaway and others supported it, citing family-oriented growth and past density; Cissy Rasmussen said only about 5 percent of residents live in apartments and asked where apartments would go; a developer of affordable townhomes said the change could hurt his projects. Council Members Lambson, Peterson, Millet and Spencer and Mayor Young each said residents did not want high-density housing along State Street.
- Zones: C1, C2, C3, R6, R6.5, R8, PD-1, PD-30, PD-37, PD-39, PD-40
- C2 height: 60 feet to 48 feet
- Planning Commission: recommended approval
Budget
Amend fiscal year 2021-22 budget
Approved · 4-0
Finance Director Brandon Nelson described adjustments including grants, appropriating excess FY2021 funds to buy public safety digital radios at current prices, and funding vehicles and equipment for four additional police officers under a new COPS grant, plus drug task force funds from a vehicle sale. No one spoke at the hearing.
- BudgetAmount not given
Other
Resolution on the Utah Lake Authority (HB 232)
Continued · 4-0
City Attorney's office staff said a substitute bill had addressed most of the city's concerns. Council Member Terry Peterson did not favor a resolution at this time. Mayor Young said he supports improving the lake environmentally but not for development. The item was continued.
What residents said
State Street densityAlpine School District splitAffordable townhomesBlocked trail near cemetery
Samuel Fisher, Aaron Davidson, Linda Mesmer (for a group of over 120 petition signers), Britney Lindsey, Jill Barrick and Breg Brough supported studying a split from Alpine School District; Julie Walker, Orem Council PTA president, supported the study and asked for PTA representatives on the review committee; Cissy Rasmussen said past studies show a split may not be fiscally responsible. Shirl Finch said a fence has blocked a hiking trail north of the Orem City Cemetery. State Street rezone hearing speakers are summarized above.