Orem council approves church sign-zone change and budget amendment, continues River District rezone to Nov. 9
October 25, 2022, 4:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 56 North State Street
The Orem City Council approved extending a sign zone for a CenterPointe Church pole sign, amended the 2022-23 budget and renamed part of 165 South as Bruin Boulevard. It continued to Nov. 9 both a proposed rezone of 3.15 acres at about 720 North 1550 East for the River District townhome project and a code change on fast food drive-thrus in the Business Park zone. The afternoon work session covered the water conservation plan, trails master plan and the River District proposal.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Roads and utilities
Water conservation plan update (work session)
Discussed
Staff said state code requires Orem to update its water conservation plan every five years and submit a draft to the state Division of Water Resources. Orem's water comes from surface water (Deer Creek Reservoir and Jordanelle), springs and wells. Goals include meeting 2030 regional conservation goals, keeping a conservation-oriented pricing structure, finishing the meter replacement project by the end of 2022, building a tertiary treatment process at the Water Reclamation Facility to produce irrigation water by 2025, and replacing sprinkler controllers on city property by 2025.
- Meter replacement target: end of 2022
- Tertiary treatment target: 2025
Parks
Trails master plan update (work session)
Discussed
Staff presented proposed amendments to the Trails Master Plan adding a Lake Bottom Canal connector, a Rail Trail connector and a Lakeside Park connector. Council Member LaNae Millett asked about barriers between multi-use paths and traffic. Council Member Terry Peterson suggested speaking with the Utah Lake Commission about funding, and Council Member Tom Macdonald said Orem would pay for its side and Vineyard for its own.
Zoning
River District rezone discussion, 720 North 1550 East (work session)
Discussed
Planning Division Manager Jason Bench showed the 3.15-acre site, currently zoned Business Park, and the neighboring Provo concept plan for 198 townhome units. He described the proposed PD51 zone text and changes to Code 22-9-8. Council discussion covered parking, bedroom counts, student housing, ownership versus leasing, roads and driveways, building height, restaurants, trails and tax value.
- Acres: 3.15
- Current zone → proposed: Business Park (BP) → PD51
Presentation
Recreation Advisory Commission annual report
Discussed
The commission chair reviewed fitness center memberships, expanded fitness and leisure pool features, co-sponsored sports programs and the SCERA pool membership. Projects listed include Hillcrest Park (October 2023 target), Lakeside Park improvements, playgrounds at SCERA, Springwater and Sharon parks, and the Nielsen's Grove pavilion. City Manager Jamie Davidson said the CARE tax will be on the ballot in November 2023.
Other
Renaming part of 165 South between 400 West and 800 West as Bruin Boulevard
Approved · 4-0
The council approved by resolution renaming a portion of 165 South between 400 West and 800 West as Bruin Boulevard and 165 South.
Appointment
Appointment to the CDBG Commission
Approved · 4-0
The council appointed Janet Alverez to the CDBG Commission.
City code
Sign zone change for CenterPointe Church, 1550 South Sandhill Road
Approved · 4-0
The council approved extending Sign Zone E to include 1480 South Sandhill Road and part of the church property, up to 5 feet from the south face of the existing building, as the Planning Commission recommended. The church plans a double-sided pole-mounted digital sign, which Mr. Bench said would be 6 feet high and 12 feet wide, replacing the 10-by-10-foot event banners.
- Applicant: CenterPointe Church
- Sign size: 6 ft high by 12 ft wide
Zoning
River District rezone of 3.15 acres from Business Park to PD51, about 720 North 1550 East
Continued · 4-0
The council continued the public hearing and ordinance creating the PD51 (River District) zone and rezoning 3.15 acres from Business Park to PD51 to the Nov. 9 meeting.
- Acres: 3.15
- Current zone → proposed: BP → PD51
City code
Fast food with drive-thru in the Business Park zone near 800 North and University Avenue
Continued · 4-0
The council continued to Nov. 9 an ordinance that would make SLU Code 5811 Fast Food a permitted use in the Business Park zone, allow fast food restaurants with a drive-thru under Section 22-9-8(1), and make architectural standards consistent across the west side development project area.
- Code: Appendix A, SLU 5811; Section 22-9-8(1)
Budget
Amendment to the fiscal year 2022-23 budget
Approved · 4-0
Finance Director Brandon Nelson reviewed the budget amendment, including grant items. The minutes do not state totals. No one spoke at the hearing, which opened at 6:39 p.m.
- BudgetAmount not given
Roads and utilities
City manager report: live streaming, Hillcrest Park demolition, Heritage tank bids, 1600 North
Discussed
Mayor Young said parts of the previous two meetings were not live streamed to avoid a possible violation of Utah Code 20A-11-203; the meetings were recorded and videos can be requested from the city recorder. Mr. Davidson said Hillcrest Park demolition was under way using public works crews, and that bids for the Heritage Park water tank closed with pricing better than estimated and contract work would begin soon. He said UVU had received $20 million from UCCU to build a soccer field. The 1600 North widening from three to five lanes has appropriated funds that are not enough and is dropping on UDOT's priority list; he proposed a letter to UDOT.
- Grant$20.0 million to UCCU
What residents said
No one spoke in personal appearances.