Orem council rezones 507 North 400 West, adopts flood-elevation rules and delays economic development plan
August 23, 2022, 3:00 p.m. · City Council Conference Room and Council Chambers, 56 North State Street
The Orem City Council approved a rezone of about 0.99 acres at 507 North 400 West from R7.5 to R6.5 for a four-lot subdivision and amended its flood damage prevention code to require new homes in flood zones to sit one foot above base flood elevation. It continued the Economic Development Strategic Plan to Sept. 13 so wording could be cleaned up, and approved Springwater parking permits, a civic-infraction late fee schedule and a county agreement for 1600 North and 400 East on consent. The work session covered the Alpine Aqueduct, a pretreatment ordinance and a general plan housing update.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Presentation
Central Utah Water Conservancy District presentation on the Alpine Aqueduct project
Discussed
District Chief Engineer Mr. Whimpey described Alpine Aqueduct Reach 1, saying parts of the aqueduct are vulnerable to earthquakes and landslides and that the district chose to route the new pipeline around the landslide area. Environmental Programs Manager Ms. Sutherland described the National Environmental Policy Act process, community meetings, alternatives and the Draft Environmental Assessment. The council discussed why routes were chosen.
- Funding: district pursuing funding through property taxes
City code
Pretreatment ordinance and local limits changes
Discussed
Assistant Public Works Director Mr. Price described the federally required pretreatment program, which regulates pollutants from industrial users and does not regulate residences. The city proposes a stand-alone pretreatment ordinance and updated local limits. Council members raised no objections and Mayor Young said staff should move forward.
General plan
General plan housing element update to comply with state law (HB 462)
Discussed
Planning Division Manager Jason Bench said state law requires Orem to amend the moderate income housing element of its general plan and file its annual report by Oct. 1, 2022, including an implementation plan. The city proposes amending Chapter 4 (Housing) to adopt at least four of the state's 24 strategies and updating the housing gap analysis. Mayor Young asked about strategies for older neighborhoods in disrepair. Proposed dates: Planning Commission discussion Sept. 7, council discussion Sept. 13, Planning Commission hearing Sept. 21 and council hearing Sept. 27.
- State deadline: October 1, 2022
Other
Consent: Springwater parking permits, civic infraction late fees, county agreement for 1600 North and 400 East
Approved · 5-0
The council approved by resolution a residential parking permit program for the Springwater neighborhood, an amended late fee schedule for civic infractions, and an interlocal agreement with Utah County for improvements at 1600 North and 400 East. City Engineer Sam Kelley said earlier in the work session that the improvements are meant to improve pedestrian and vehicle circulation, that funds are available and that a consultant would look at options because a roundabout may not be the best choice.
- ContractAmount not given to Utah County
Appointment
Appointments to the Transportation Advisory Board
Approved · 5-0
The council appointed Marlan Coe and Kathleen Turner to the Transportation Advisory Board.
Public hearing
Economic Development Strategic Plan and general plan Chapter 5 amendment
Continued · 5-0
Staff presented an update of the Economic Development Strategic Plan prepared with consultant Thomas P. Miller and Associates as a 5-to-10-year guide, along with an amendment to Chapter 5 (Economics) of the general plan. The Planning Commission recommended approval with changes: stating the plan is advisory only, and removing language that favors reducing restrictions on duplexes, fourplexes and townhomes and medium-density zoning changes, and specifying that mixed-use means non-residential. Council Member Debby Lauret said she wanted Orem to be business-friendly. Council Member Terry Peterson said he wanted references to multi-level duplexes removed and that he would support transportation language limited to existing service. Council Members Jeff Lambson and David Spencer spoke in favor of main street and State Street business activity. One resident said he did not want many empty buses. The City Attorney suggested cleaning up the language first, and the council continued the item to Sept. 13.
- Consultant: Thomas P. Miller and Associates
- Public hearing opened 7:03 p.m., closed 7:05 p.m.
Zoning
Rezone of 507 North 400 West from R7.5 to R6.5
Approved · 5-0
The owners of about 0.99 acres asked to rezone the property from R7.5 to R6.5 so it can be divided into four standard lots with street frontage. The lot is too narrow for four lots under R7.5's 75-foot frontage rule, while R6.5 requires 65 feet. Proposed lots range from about 9,700 to 10,600 square feet against a 6,500-square-foot minimum. An existing house and driveway would be removed. Without the rezone the owners could still create four lots, two of them deep lots. No one spoke at the hearing, which opened at 7:13 p.m.
- Acres: 0.99
- Current zone → proposed: R7.5 → R6.5
- Proposed lots: 10,524, 9,717, 10,625 and 10,625 sq ft
City code
Flood damage prevention code amendment on base flood elevation
Approved · 5-0
The council amended Chapter 10 of the city code to require that new residential construction and substantial improvements in a special flood hazard area be built at least one foot above base flood elevation, including basements, machinery and equipment. The change applies to a limited area on the Flood Insurance Rate Map and was requested through the city's Community Rating System review to keep the National Flood Insurance Program current. No one spoke at the hearing, which opened at 7:18 p.m.
- Requirement: one foot above base flood elevation
What residents said
Springwater parkingApartment parking requirementsOrem school districtDuplexes and densityHousing conditions near UVU
Blydan Lounsack, a former teacher, spoke for an Orem-only school district, citing more personal attention, curriculum control and keeping Orem funds local. Cindy Neilson and Scott Hendricks spoke about Springwater parking, saying the city approved apartments with too little parking and that code should require more stalls. Lesli Havili asked for a late fee and licensing fee to be waived and was referred to staff. Murry Low raised concerns about student living conditions at The Greens apartments.