Orem council keeps one planning commission liaison; Whitestone Estates rezone withdrawn
February 11, 2025, 4:00 p.m. · Orem City Center, 56 North State Street
The applicant withdrew the Whitestone Estates rezone, which had been continued to this date, and the item was not heard. In a work session the council discussed the planning commission's processes with chair Madeline Komen and agreed to keep one council liaison.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Orem's mayor is a voting member of the seven-member council. The minutes count the six council members in each tally and record the mayor's vote beside it, so a council vote of 6-0 with the mayor voting yes is 7-0 with the mayor.
In brief
4 items came up for a decision or discussion: 1 no action, 1 discussed, 1 approved, and 1 withdrawn.
1 item here is tracked in the city's development tracker.
This write-up links 3 source documents and the meeting video.
7 members were present.
Residents raised wilkerson farm preservation, high density housing, and oremfest vendor selection.
The previous City Council meeting was on January 28, 2025: Orem council backs school property sale and America250 committee
The next one was on March 11, 2025: Orem council continues Ken Garff parking-lot rezone on 1200 South and hears utility, short-term rental plans
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Closed session motion | No action · 7-0 with the mayor |
| Planning commission process discussion | Discussed |
| Reappointment of Carol Walker to the Recreation Advisory Commission | Approved · 7-0 with the mayor |
| Whitestone Estates rezone, OS5 to PRD (about 14.18 acres) | Withdrawn |
Agenda, item by item
Item Work session · Other
Closed session motion
No action · 7-0 with the mayor
The council voted to go into closed session to discuss litigation, the character or competence of an individual, or a real property purchase or lease. No action was reported.
Item Work session · Other
Planning commission process discussion
Discussed
Planning Commission chair Madeline Komen described training, bylaws and procedure changes over the past year and a half and asked for more dialogue with the council. Staff explained the appointment process, and clarified general plan density: 4-7 units per acre is medium and above 7 is high. Council Member David Spencer presented a comparison of planning commission and council votes and said they were similar. Council Member LaNae Millett opposed requiring two council liaisons and the council agreed to keep one. The city manager planned a joint work session before May 2025.
Presentation
NASRO award and fire banquet report
Discussed
Orem's school resource officer program was recognized as one of six model agencies nationally and the first in Utah. The fire chief reported 7,578 calls in 2024 across Orem, Vineyard and Lindon.
Presentation
Legislative priorities with State Rep. Nelson Abbott
Discussed
The representative said the base budget passed and about $150 million was set aside for possible tax cuts. City staff raised local land use control, short-term rentals and the transfer of the Lakeview corridor.
Item Consent · Appointment
Reappointment of Carol Walker to the Recreation Advisory Commission
Approved · 7-0 with the mayor
Approved on consent.
Zoning
Whitestone Estates rezone, OS5 to PRD (about 14.18 acres)
Withdrawn
The applicant withdrew the application before the hearing. A representative of the developer said significant plan changes meant staff told them it must go back to the planning commission.
What residents said
Wilkerson Farm preservationHigh density housingOremfest vendor selection
Residents spoke against townhomes and high density near Wilkerson Farm, asked to keep the farm, and a vendor raised Oremfest booth assignments.