Orem council rezones 519 South Geneva Road for a shopping center over two dissenting votes
February 27, 2024, 6:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 56 North State Street, Orem
The Orem City Council voted 5-1 among council members, with the mayor also opposed, to rezone property at 519 South Geneva Road from R20 to C2 for a planned grocery, bank and fast-food center. The council also adopted a mid-year budget amendment and tabled a resolution on the status of legislative counsel. In the afternoon work session, the council heard about the MyHometown Initiative, a volunteer program.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Closed session motion | Approved · 4-1 |
| Hillcrest Center video tour | Discussed |
| Rezone of 519 South Geneva Road from R20 to C2 | Approved · 5-1 |
| Amendment to the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget | Approved · 6-0 |
| Resolution on the status of legislative counsel | Tabled · 6-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item Work session · Presentation
MyHometown Initiative presentation
Discussed
Craig and Linda Burton, associate directors of the MyHometown Initiative, described a program that sets up community resource centers offering neighborhood classes and organizes volunteer Days of Service, with support from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Provo representatives said Provo gives $50,000 per served community per year for Days of Service, dumpsters, equipment and activities. The Burtons said there is no upfront cost to the city; the church funds resource centers and the city funds community projects. The council said it was interested, and the city manager said he believed the city could fund the program.
Item Work session · Other
Closed session motion
Approved · 4-1
The council voted to close the meeting to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation, the character or professional competence of an individual, or the purchase or lease of real property.
Item Mayor's report · Parks
Hillcrest Center video tour
Discussed
Library and Recreation Director Bryce Merrill presented a video tour of the nearly finished Hillcrest Center, which will have classrooms, a gymnasium, a family room, a patio and a splash pad. He said the center should open by March 9 and the rest of the park in April, with a grand opening planned for the second week of May. He called the project an example of CARE tax money at work.
Item Scheduled · Zoning
Rezone of 519 South Geneva Road from R20 to C2
Approved · 5-1
The applicant, Mr. Holdaway, asked to rezone two parcels from R20 to C2 to replace a nursery with a shopping center including a grocery store, bank and fast-food restaurant. The two parcels to the north are already C2, and the planning commission recommended approval. Council Member David Spencer raised concern about a single entrance; Assistant Development Services Director Jason Bench said the consolidated four-lane access, set farther from the intersection, would be more efficient than the two existing entrances. Council Member LaNae Millett asked about a C3 zone because the site backs up to homes; the city attorney said a C3 rezone would have to return to the planning commission and a development agreement could set limits. The applicant preferred a uniform C2 zone. Neighbors at the public hearing raised noise, wall height (some asked for taller than 7 feet; Bench said up to 8 feet is possible), lighting, windows and traffic. The applicant said there would be no windows on the back of the building, lights would be shielded and a traffic study was done with Horrocks; a traffic signal was not approved by UDOT.
- Applicant: Mr. Holdaway
- Current zone → proposed: R20 → C2
- Planned use: grocery store, bank, fast-food restaurant (no tenant contracts signed)
- Planning commission: recommended approval
Item Scheduled · Budget
Amendment to the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget
Approved · 6-0
Finance Director Brandon Nelson presented mid-year adjustments including a $132,704 DOJ-COPS grant to hire mental health officers, a $298,756 HIDTA grant for major crimes, a $250,000 CIP transfer for Northridge Park, a CIP transfer to reimburse the fund used to buy the Hillcrest property (impact-fee eligible), money to replace fleet column jacks and a totaled vehicle, rent paid by UPS for a Public Works lot, and payments from Lindon for victim advocate services. Council Member Millett asked about the Lindon agreement; the police captain said fees have not yet been evaluated after one year. No one spoke at the public hearing.
- Grant$132,704 to U.S. Department of Justice (COPS hiring program)
- Grant$298,756 to HIDTA
- Budget$250,000
Item 9.3 · Other
Resolution on the status of legislative counsel
Tabled · 6-0
The council tabled a discussion and resolution regarding the status of legislative counsel.
What residents said
NoiseWall heightLightingTraffic at Geneva Road entrance
At the rezone hearing, neighbors raised noise, wall height, lighting, windows and traffic at the proposed entrance; one resident suggested placing the bank and restaurant inside the grocery building to reduce noise. No one spoke on the budget amendment.