Orem council amends 1993 senior housing agreement for autism program residents and aligns State Street plan with zoning
January 10, 2023, 3:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 56 North State Street
The Orem City Council amended a 1993 agreement for a property at about 380 East 240 North so that 21 studio units can house graduates of the Scenic View Academy autism program, with the Housing Authority of Utah County taking over the property. It also changed the general plan map along State Street from Mixed-Use District to Community and Regional Commercial to match existing zoning. In the work session, consultants presented a $160 million wastewater plant capital plan and staff previewed a bidding exception for unfavorable procurement conditions.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Roads and utilities
Water reclamation facility capital facilities plan (work session)
Discussed
An engineer presented the plan for the Orem Water Reclamation Facility, first built in 1957 with major upgrades in 1984 and 2010, serving about 111,000 people with buildout of 129,900 around 2060 and a flow capacity of 13.5 million gallons per day. The condition assessment found about half of the plant, which would cost about $400 million to build today, is beyond its expected useful life; the system cannot reliably produce Class A biosolids. Recommended upgrades in four phases total $160 million in 2022 dollars: Phase 1 (1 to 5 years) $58 million, Phase 2 (5 to 10 years) $40 million, Phase 3 (10 to 15 years) $25 million and Phase 4 (15-plus years) $37 million. Staff said the plant is not in an emergency, and discussed financing and grant options. Council Member Debby Lauret attended virtually.
- Budget$160.0 million
- Phases: 1-5 yrs $58M; 5-10 yrs $40M; 10-15 yrs $25M; 15+ yrs $37M
City code
Proposed bidding exception for extending contracts in unfavorable procurement conditions (work session)
Discussed
Staff proposed adding Section 2-7-6(S) to the city code, letting the city manager extend an existing contract without competitive bidding when written findings show unusual conditions such as high inflation or material shortages make new bidding impractical and an extension would likely bring significantly better terms. Assistant City Manager Brenn Bybee and City Attorney said bidders tend to build in higher prices during uncertain times. Council Member Tom Macdonald asked about a dollar limit; staff said there is none but extensions are expected to be short. Council Member Terry Peterson asked about risks if material prices fall.
- Proposed code: Section 2-7-6(S)
Development
Amendment to 1993 agreement for property at about 380 East 240 North
Approved · 5-0
The council amended a 1993 agreement that limited the property to residents 55 and older so that studio units in the main center can also be occupied by graduates of the Scenic View Academy autism program who can live independently, one person per unit because of parking. It consented to transfer the property and the agreement's obligations to the Housing Authority of Utah County, which is a quasi-governmental entity and not a taxable one. The property has 36 apartments for low and moderate income seniors that stay as they are, plus 21 units that were assisted living; the total would be 57 units with 30 parking stalls. The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously. Council Member Terry Peterson disclosed that he was an original trustee of Scenic View and is no longer one, saying he had no conflict. Council Member David Spencer asked about property taxes, staffing and who regulates occupancy. No one spoke at the hearing.
- Applicant: Housing Authority of Utah County, with Scenic View Academy
- Existing: 36 senior units (55+) and 21 assisted living units; 30 parking stalls
- Proposed: 21 one-bedroom units, single occupant only; 57 units total
- Planning Commission: unanimous recommendation
- Public hearing opened and closed 6:39 p.m.
General plan
General plan map change along State Street from Mixed-Use District to Community and Regional Commercial
Approved · 5-0
The council amended Section 2.1.1 and the general plan map to restore Community and Regional Commercial designations along State Street, matching zoning (C2 and C3) the council approved a year earlier. Staff described it as a cleanup. Council Member Terry Peterson said the State Street master plan change last year stopped high-density apartments that he said would have added more than 20,000 residents to a congested street, and said Orem is over 45 percent rentals. Two residents spoke: one favored the vote and described parking and traffic at the Midtown 360 building, and one suggested rerouting the 850 bus line. Council Member David Spencer said Orem need not equate growth with success.
- Designation: Mixed-Use District → Community and Regional Commercial
- Public comment 6:44 p.m. to 6:47 p.m.
Other
Acting city manager report: legislature, city hall design
Discussed
Acting City Manager Brenn Bybee reminded the council of the League of Cities and Towns officials day on Jan. 18 and said the legislative session starts Jan. 17. On the new city hall, he said design refinement with Method Studio continues within budget, Layton Construction was nailing down electrical and structural details for firmer cost numbers by Jan. 17, and the council will see the full design with 3D goggles on Jan. 24. A staff member said only the roof parapet height, not ceiling heights, is being adjusted.
What residents said
Trees at new city hall siteState Street density and parking
One resident asked that Christmas lights stay up indefinitely and that trees on city property be kept, citing concern about tree removal for the new city hall. Another resident raised a news report about the mayor; Mayor Young said he had issued a short public statement and would discuss it in person with anyone who asked. Two residents spoke at the State Street hearing.