Orem council creates pediatric palliative care use and rezones 845 N. State St. on a 4-3 vote
March 28, 2023, 3:00 p.m. · Orem City Center, 56 North State Street, Orem
The council added a pediatric palliative care facility as a conditional use to the city code on a unanimous vote and rezoned about 0.27 acre at 845 North State Street from C3 to C2 on a 4-3 vote. It also updated its rules of order and went into closed session. Earlier in the day the city broke ground on its new administrative building and the work session covered the 2023-24 budget.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Roads and utilities
Groundbreaking for the new city administrative building
No action
Before the work session the city held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new administrative building, with remarks from Mayor Young, Council Member David Spencer, Acting City Manager Brenn Bybee, project manager Lane Gray and representatives of the construction manager, Layton Construction. The mayor, council members and several staff were honorary groundbreakers.
- ContractAmount not given to Layton Construction
Budget
Fiscal 2023-24 budget: fleet, information technology and operating expansions (work session)
Discussed
Fleet manager Thayne Carter said vehicle prices rose 25% from 2023 to 2024 and listed replacements, including 9 hybrid patrol vehicles, an ambulance and a range of public works equipment; he suggested saving up for purchases, leasing and buyback programs to cut costs. IT manager Carlo Okolowitz reviewed security and disaster-recovery work and requested a network engineer and a GIS administrator. Mr. Nelson listed departmental expansion requests, including a fire prevention division, a drone program, a Flock Safety license plate reader program, forensic nursing services and a park technician, and continuing items such as Family City USA signs, Scera pool bathroom repairs and a State Street revitalization plan.
Budget
Sales tax revenue estimates for fiscal 2023-24 (work session)
Discussed
In response to questions from the council about how sales tax revenue is estimated, Mr. Nelson explained his method and said the estimate would not protect the city against an extreme recession.
Item 9.1 · Zoning
Pediatric palliative care facility added to city code (public hearing)
Approved · 6-0
The council amended the city code to create a Pediatric Palliative Care Facility land use. It would be allowed only as a conditional use on property that already has an approved conditional use permit and site plan for a residential health care facility (or one for the elderly) and has operated as one with at least eight residents. The change would allow Brades' Place to open a pediatric facility in a residential zone. One nearby resident spoke in support.
Item 9.2 · Zoning
Rezone of about 0.27 acre at 845 North State Street from C3 to C2 (public hearing)
Approved · 4-2
The council rezoned about 0.27 acre (Lot 1 of a preliminary plat) at 845 North State Street from C3 to C2, matching the adjacent property. The Planning Commission had recommended the change. One resident asked whether the rezone would allow residential housing. Mayor Young and Council Members Peterson and Millett voted no; the minutes record no reasons.
- Acres: about 0.27
- Current zone → proposed: C3 → C2
- Planning Commission: recommended
Item 9.3 · City code
Amendments to the City Council rules of order
Approved · 6-0
City Attorney Steve Earl said the changes to the rules (formerly the Policies and Procedures) are minor and mostly technical, to make the language consistent with state law. The council approved them.
Other
Motion to go into closed session
Approved · 6-0
The council voted to adjourn to a closed session to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation, the character or professional competence of an individual, or the purchase or lease of real property.
What residents said
Housing occupancy limitsWhether rezone allows housing
One resident, Lewis Barton, said he was concerned about the housing market and asked the council to change the city code so more than three unrelated individuals can live in a single-family home. At the 9.1 hearing a nearby resident supported the pediatric facility; at 9.2 one resident asked whether the rezone would allow housing.