Orem council rezones Geneva Road land for 23 autism-friendly homes on 5-1 vote; residents press for short-term rental rules

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Parks

   Community garden tour (work session)

   Discussed · 343 E 720 S

   Council members toured a community garden in Provo and a possible city-owned site for one at 343 E 720 S, the SCERA Park home lot. Staff said the idea is to use city property not slated for development; a Provo garden representative suggested a neighborhood survey before choosing a site.

2. Presentation

   Economic state of the city (work session)

   Discussed

   Economic Development Manager Kathi Lewis reported completed projects such as the Orem Tech Center, La-Z-Boy and Petco, and projects under construction including a Courtyard by Marriott and Dirty Dough. Single-family building permits fell from a high of 108 in 2016 to 47 in 2022, and commercial business licenses rose to near 3,000 in 2022. General fund sales tax has risen since fiscal 2018, topping $30 million in fiscal 2022. Among Orem, Provo, Lehi and American Fork, Orem had the largest number of firms, Provo the most employment and Lehi the highest average monthly wage.

3. Parks

   Freedom Plaza concept at City Center (work session)

   Discussed · Orem City Center

   Rob Beishline of Method Studios and Assistant City Manager Ryan Clark presented a concept for Freedom Plaza, with the Gold Star monument as the centerpiece, a replacement Freedom Tree and a possible water feature. Clark presented a cost estimate, which the minutes do not state. Police Chief Josh Adams will lead fundraising for the monument and plaza.

   Follow Freedom Plaza and Gold Star monument in the development tracker →

4. City code

   Consent: city manager succession and election code updates; Library Advisory Commission appointment

   Approved · 6-0

   The council approved code changes on the order of succession for the city manager, the manager's powers and duties, and the election code (Sections 2-3-4 through 2-3-7), and the appointment of Lorraine Jeffery to the Library Advisory Commission.

   Moved by Council Member LaNae Millett, seconded by Council Member David Spencer. Vote: 6-0; Mayor David A. Young also voted yes

5. Zoning

   Rezone of 0.084 acre at 426 East 1070 South from R6.5 to C2 (public hearing)

   Approved · 6-0 · 426 East 1070 South

   The council rezoned about 0.084 acre at 426 East 1070 South from R6.5 to C2. The land is part of a home lot owned by the adjoining Mi Ranchito restaurant and is used for its parking lot; the rezone makes the parking legal. Staff said neighbors raised no concerns, the Planning Commission supported it, and no one spoke at the hearing.

   • Acres: about 0.084
   • Current zone → proposed: R6.5 → C2
   • Applicant: Mi Ranchito
   • Planning Commission: supported

   Moved by Council Member Terry Peterson, seconded by Council Member Tom Macdonald. Vote: 6-0; Mayor David A. Young also voted yes

   Follow 426 East 1070 South rezone (Mi Ranchito parking) in the development tracker →

6. Zoning

   Rezone and planned residential development at 1875 South Geneva Road for autism-friendly housing (public hearing)

   Approved · 5-1 · 1875 South Geneva Road

   The council rezoned property at 1875 South Geneva Road, where the Utah Autism Academy is located: about 4.83 acres fronting Geneva Road from OS5 to PO, and about 4.79 acres from OS5 to PRD, amending Appendix KK of the city code. Plans call for 23 privately owned single-family homes, no basements or accessory apartments, sold to benefit the school, with a homeowners association run by the school and designed to be autism-friendly; the original townhome plan was changed after neighbors raised concerns. The Planning Commission made no recommendation. Residents of the neighboring Peyton's Crossing raised questions about traffic on 800 South, connection to Geneva Road, who would run the HOA and home prices; supporters included a person with autism and a relative of an autistic adult. Council members discussed whether the emergency access road could be permanent; the academy said it cannot because it crosses the school playground, and the fire and police chiefs said the secondary access suffices for emergency use. Council Member Terry Peterson voted no; the minutes record no reason.

   • Acres: about 4.83 (OS5 → PO) and 4.79 (OS5 → PRD)
   • Homes: 23 single-family
   • Applicant: Utah Autism Academy
   • Planning Commission: no recommendation

   Moved by Council Member Tom Macdonald, seconded by Council Member Debby Lauret. Vote: 5-1; Council Member Terry Peterson voted no; Mayor David A. Young voted yes. Voting no: Council Member Terry Peterson

   Follow Utah Autism Academy housing, 1875 S. Geneva Road in the development tracker →

What residents said

Short-term rentalsParking and trafficTraffic on 800 SouthHOA and home prices

About a dozen residents of one neighborhood described a large short-term rental advertised for 25 guests and used for weddings and corporate retreats, citing noise, parking, traffic, speeding and neighborhood character, and asked the council for rules on short-term rentals; a city employee said no regulation currently exists and raised infrastructure effects. Mayor Young said a research study on short-term rentals would be discussed. One resident raised an election flier and school district issues.