Orem council denies Canyon Park rezone, continues Whitestone Estates to February
December 10, 2024, 3:30 p.m. · Orem City Center, 56 North State Street
The council denied the Canyon Park Tech Center rezone, which sought 108 homes, with all members voting for the denial. After a long hearing on the Whitestone Estates (Wilkerson Farm) rezone it failed to deny the request and instead continued it to Feb. 11, 2025. It also adopted storm water and boards and commissions code changes and accepted the FY2024 audit.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item Work session · City code
Boards and commissions code changes
Discussed
Staff proposed training for members, consolidating some groups, standardizing titles, terms, meeting frequency and quorum, requiring minutes, and reducing the Cultural Arts Advisory Commission from 13 to 9 members while adding council liaisons to the Neighborhood Advisory Commission.
Item Work session · Other
Housing approach brochure and moderate income housing strategy
Discussed
Planning staff presented a brochure explaining Orem's housing approach, to be shared with state leaders. Staff also proposed a moderate income housing strategy to reduce impact fees by 50% for qualifying affordable senior housing projects.
Item Work session · Presentation
Memorials, library remodel, storm water code, task force and school district agreements
Discussed
Method Studio presented designs for a Family and Children's Memorial at the cemetery (about $2.3 million) and a memorial next to a future well site on 1600 North (about $448,000), and a library remodel with a new main entry and greenhouse. Staff reviewed storm water code changes required by a new state law, an amendment to the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force agreement, and an interlocal agreement with Lindon, Pleasant Grove and Vineyard for the reorganized school district.
- Contract$2.30 million to Method Studio
- Contract$448,000 to Method Studio
Presentation
Arts Council and Metropolitan Water District of Orem reports
Discussed
The Arts Council reported on an arts ambassadors program and free summer concerts. The water district said the Deer Creek Intake replacement is estimated at $100 million, with its share about 6.4%, or $6.3 million, to be paid over 20 years, possibly with a tax increase or fee.
- Budget$6.30 million
Item Consent · Other
Consent items: Millett as mayor pro tem, storm water and boards and commissions ordinances, moderate income housing strategy, task force and school district interlocal agreements
Approved · 6-0
The council appointed Council Member LaNae Millett mayor pro tem, adopted storm water code updates required by state law, adopted boards and commissions code changes, approved the moderate income housing resolution, extended the Major Crimes Task Force agreement through 2029 and approved the interlocal agreement with Lindon, Pleasant Grove and Vineyard.
Budget
FY2024 independent audit and annual financial report
Approved · 6-0
The auditor gave a clean opinion on the financial statements and state compliance, with no single audit findings. State compliance findings were a deficit in the facilities maintenance fund, a general fund balance above the 35% limit, and three funds that exceeded budgeted appropriations.
Public hearing
CDBG consolidated plan public hearing
Discussed
A Mountainland Association of Governments representative opened the first hearing on the five-year plan; Orem receives about $600,000 a year. No one commented.
Zoning
Canyon Park Tech Center rezone, PD6 to PD54 (about 24.3 acres)
Denied · 6-0
The planning commission recommended denial on Nov. 6. The revised plan had 108 single-family lots (4.6 per acre, down from 6.2). The owner's representatives said office demand has fallen. Eighteen residents spoke: some wanted the berm and trees kept and lots matching nearby neighborhoods, while the DaVinci HOA president and others supported the plan. Council Members Spencer, Millett and Lambson said they wanted at least R8-type lots; Gale and Killpack also said they wanted more discussion or alternatives; Mayor Young said he wanted a less dense option that might protect the berm. The developer said it had no alternative plan. The rezone was denied.
- Applicant: TriPoint Homes for Muller Company, owner
- Acres: about 24.3
- Current zone to proposed: PD6 to PD54
- Lots: 108 single-family
- Planning commission: recommended denial
Zoning
Whitestone Estates rezone, OS5 to PRD (about 14.18 acres)
Continued · 4-2
The plan had 54 single-family lots and 39 townhomes (about 6.9 units per acre), with townhomes along the railroad tracks; the developer offered to cut four units. The planning commission recommended denial. The farm site is owned by a charity and has been leased to Wilkerson Farm, which has not been profitable. More than 20 residents spoke, many to save the farm, others on density, traffic and parking. Council Members Spencer and Millett and Mayor Young said it was too dense; Macdonald said the plan fit the area; Lambson, Killpack and Gale said they wanted a pause for more information. A motion to deny failed 2-4 among council members, then the council continued it to Feb. 11, 2025.
- Applicant: Keystone Construction with developer Roger Dunn; property owned by a charitable organization
- Acres: about 14.18
- Current zone to proposed: OS5 to PRD
- Units: 54 single-family and 39 townhomes
- Planning commission: recommended denial
What residents said
DensityTrafficPreserving Wilkerson FarmBerm and trees at Canyon ParkParkingBike and crosswalk safety
Five residents spoke in the open comment period on streetlights, police presence, Lights On event improvements and bike and crosswalk safety. About 18 spoke on Canyon Park and over 20 on Whitestone Estates.