Orem council approves River District PD51 rezone for 25 townhomes and fast food drive-thrus in Business Park zone

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Other

   UDOT 1600 North project update (work session)

   Discussed · 1600 North from 1200 West to State Street, Orem and Lindon

   A UDOT consultant described the state environmental study of roadway improvements on 1600 North in Orem and Lindon from 1200 West to State Street, covering the preferred alternative, streetlights, possible noise walls and storm water. Next steps: impacted property owner meetings in November 2022, publication of the study and a public hearing and comment period in December 2022, and a decision document in February 2023. City Manager Jamie Davidson said the legislature appropriated funds but about $15 million more is needed, while the consultant put the shortfall at $25 million to $30 million; Mr. Davidson said UDOT had reallocated $40 million earlier set aside for the project. He asked the council to send a letter confirming continued support.

   • BudgetAmount not given to Utah Department of Transportation 1600 North widening; consultant estimated an underfunding of $25 million to $30 million, and the city manager said about $15 million more was needed. Paid from State legislature appropriation; $40 million reallocated by UDOT to other projects
   • Schedule: owner meetings Nov. 2022; hearing Dec. 2022; decision document Feb. 2023

   Follow 1600 North widening (UDOT) in the development tracker →

2. Public safety

   Campus Drive neighborhood parking district (work session)

   Discussed · Campus Drive

   Police presented a petition from residents asking to remove the parking district on Campus Drive, which the police found reasonable after a traffic study and survey. The district was created in 2022 when the street was used by people attending events at Orem High School fields, but new fencing for the football field and driver education course cut off access from Campus Drive. Police asked the council to approve a resolution dissolving the district.

3. Roads and utilities

   Transportation Master Plan update (work session)

   Discussed · Citywide

   Staff presented the update, which refreshes existing data, addresses the State Street master plan, extends the planning horizon from 2040 to 2050 and establishes a capital improvement plan. They reviewed level-of-service maps for 2030 and 2050 if nothing is built, and supporting documents on access management, traffic calming, traffic impact studies, the southwest street network and cost estimates. Council members discussed funding, project scoring, safety and shared projects with UDOT.

4. Other

   Mayor pro tem, 2023 council meeting schedule and election canvass (work session)

   Discussed

   The mayor recommended Council Member Jeff Lambson as mayor pro tem for January to July 2023, to be placed on a consent calendar. Staff presented the proposed 2023 meeting schedule, normally the second and fourth Tuesdays with one meeting each in July, November and December, and discussed moving the Feb. 14 meeting to Feb. 15. Because Orem had a proposition on the ballot, the council must certify the canvass; it was planned for Nov. 22 by electronic meeting, with Council Member Debby Lauret at the anchor location.

5. Public safety

   Recognition of Orem Fire Department and Timpanogos Hospital for three cardiac arrest saves

   Discussed

   Orem Fire Department crews and Timpanogos Hospital staff were recognized for the survival of three people who suffered cardiac arrest in August and September. The hospital's Orem liaison nurse described the care each received, from CPR and defibrillation in the field to treatment at the hospital, and the survivors and responders came forward to be thanked. Council Member Tom Macdonald and Mayor Young praised the work.

6. Presentation

   Metropolitan Water District of Orem annual report

   Discussed

   A district representative reviewed the history of the Metropolitan Water District, which the Orem city council created in 1935, its shareholders, water rights, impact fees and the city's contributions. He said an audit was performed and passed, noted concerns about purchasing, travel, conflict of interest and reporting, and said the Deer Creek intake project is a coming challenge, with a presentation to follow from the water users association.

7. Zoning

   River District rezone and PD51 zone, about 720 North 1550 East

   Approved · 5-0 · Approximately 720 North 1550 East

   The council enacted a new PD51 (River District) zone and rezoned 3.15 acres from Business Park to PD51 for 25 two- and three-story rental townhomes on a private street, consistent with an adjoining development in Provo. The Planning Commission voted on it Sept. 21 after continuing it from Sept. 7 to see whether Provo had reviewed its part. The zone sets a 40-foot height limit (36 feet 9 inches proposed), wood siding, stone and standing seam metal roofs and requires 63 parking spaces; 88 are planned. Staff said the intersection of 800 North and 1550 East fails at the afternoon peak under a 2015 study and that the city, UDOT and the developer will need a jointly funded fix. The applicant agreed to public pedestrian access on the west side of the Provo River and a development agreement is being prepared. Residents speaking at the hearing included some who supported the housing and commuting access, and one concerned about a locally owned convenience store of 18 years closing; earlier, a resident raised safety at 800 North and 1500 East. Council Member Debby Lauret asked what type of housing it would be; staff said rentals. Council Member Tom Macdonald left at 7:28 p.m., before the vote.

   • Acres: 3.15
   • Current zone → proposed: Business Park (BP) → PD51
   • Units: 25 townhomes
   • Height: up to 40 ft; 36 ft 9 in proposed
   • Parking: 63 required, 88 provided
   • Public hearing: 7:37 p.m. to 7:53 p.m.
   • Next step: site plan to Planning Commission; development agreement on river pedestrian access

   Moved by Council Member David Spencer, seconded by Council Member Debby Lauret. Vote: 5-0 among council members; the mayor also voted yes. Council Member Tom Macdonald left the meeting at 7:28 p.m., before this vote

   Follow River District PD51 rezone (720 North 1550 East) in the development tracker →

8. City code

   Fast food restaurants with drive-thrus in the Business Park zone near 800 North and University Avenue

   Approved · 6-0 · Approximately 800 North and University Avenue

   The council amended the city code to make fast food a permitted use in the Business Park zone, allow drive-thrus under Section 22-9-8, and require architectural consistency within each project area west of the Provo River rather than with the existing office building. The Planning Commission recommended approval on Sept. 21. Applicants said they hope to attract nicer dining, fast casual and sit-down restaurants, and explained the reasoning for the drive-thru text change.

   • Code: Appendix A, SLU 5811; Section 22-9-8(1)

   Moved by Council Member David Spencer, seconded by Council Member Jeff Lambson. Vote: 6-0 among council members; the mayor also voted yes

   Follow River District PD51 rezone (720 North 1550 East) in the development tracker →

What residents said

Murdock Trail intersection safety800 North and 1550 East trafficProposition 2 transparencyLocal convenience store closing

A 16-year-old resident described a friend critically injured at a Murdock Trail intersection, shared survey results from 141 respondents of whom 7 percent said they feel safe on the trail, and urged the council to fix it; Mr. Davidson said the city is working urgently on it. A resident raised traffic and pedestrian safety at 800 North and 1500 East. Another expressed concerns about transparency and the short timeline on Proposition 2 and about the funding of an Orem-only school district.