Orem council continues Ken Garff parking-lot rezone on 1200 South and hears utility, short-term rental plans
March 11, 2025, 4:00 p.m. · 56 North State Street, Orem
After a public hearing with neighbors raising traffic and gate concerns, the Orem City Council continued the Ken Garff rezone of about 1 acre at 134 East 1200 South to March 25 so a development agreement can be drafted. The council also approved a FY2024-25 budget amendment that moves $3.2 million of excess General Fund balance to the Capital Projects Fund. The work session covered the Alpine Aqueduct project, utility master plans, and short-term rental options.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item W1 · Roads and utilities
Alpine Aqueduct Reach 1 risk and resiliency project update
Discussed
Chris Elison of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District said the aqueduct pipeline will be moved and replaced with specialized pipe because of a large historic landslide and the Wasatch Fault. The Olmsted-fed system supplies more than 60% of Orem's water. Design ran 2022-2024, a contractor was selected in 2025, and completion is planned for spring 2027. The work affects 17 homes, including blasting (not at night or on Sundays), up to three weeks of driveway closure with temporary parking and 24/7 shuttles. The fire chief said emergency service will be maintained.
Item W2 · Roads and utilities
Utility master plans update
Discussed
Consultant Keith Larsen of Bowen, Collins & Associates presented updated water, sewer and stormwater master plans. He said population growth will be modest, Orem has enough water supply for future demand, but more storage and pressure improvements will be needed by 2065. Recommended projects include completing the wastewater reuse project, adding two wells and finishing a 10-million-gallon reservoir. Sewer capacity is adequate but the water reclamation facility needs improvements, and stormwater needs a better network as canals are abandoned and sumps are removed from well protection zones. Staff said funding options and impact fees will come in later work sessions before a vote.
Item W3 · Presentation
Supporting Orem businesses and State Street reinvestment
Discussed
Economic Development Manager Kathi Lewis described the Orem Business Alliance, the Utah Valley Business Resource Center (a partnership with Utah Valley University funded in part with MAG funds) and six planned improvements to business licensing, including reminders and digital licenses. She also highlighted businesses that have reinvested in their State Street properties.
Item W4 · City code
Short-term rental regulation options
Discussed
Deputy City Attorney D. Jacob Summers said short-term rentals are not listed in the city's land-use matrix and so are not permitted, and recommended clarifying the code if the ban stays. He described three options: a clear prohibition, a licensing and regulation system, or a full grant of use. House Bill 256, effective May 7, 2025, lets cities require business licenses, collect transient room tax and use website listings as evidence. About 250 short-term rentals are estimated in Orem. Council members raised tax collection, enforceability, costs and fees. The mayor asked members to send feedback and said the discussion will continue.
Item W5 · Other
Open Meetings Act and ethics training
Discussed
City Attorney Steve Earl gave the annual training on the Open and Public Meetings Act and on ethics under Orem City Code 2-6-8 and the state Municipal Officers' and Employees' Ethics Act, including conflict disclosure, gifts and penalties.
Item W6 · Other
Change to 2025 council meeting schedule
Approved · 6-0
City Recorder Teresa McKitrick proposed moving the August 19 meeting to August 26 to align with the board of canvass for the August 12 primary. It was approved on the consent agenda.
Item R1 · Public safety
Wildland Fire Team update
Discussed
Assistant Chief Shaun Hirst and Captain Michael Hickman said the city's wildland team, started in the late 2010s, has made 19 deployments outside Orem since a 2018 state contract. They said the program is self-sufficient and brings in revenue for the city.
Item R2 · Appointment
Commission appointments: Events Advisory Commission reappointments (Ashlie Mann, Christie Ekins) and Cultural Arts Advisory Commission appointment (Jennifer Young)
Approved · 6-0
The council approved two reappointments to the Events Advisory Commission and one appointment to the Cultural Arts Advisory Commission as consent items, together with the meeting schedule change.
Item 10.1 · Zoning
Ken Garff rezone, 134 East 1200 South: R8 to C2, about 1.05 acres
Continued · 6-0
Planning Manager Jared Hall said Ken Garff wants to rezone residential lots from R8 to C2 commercial, matching the zoning to the east and south, to expand dealership inventory and employee parking by about 79 spaces with a gated access onto 1200 South. The Planning Commission split 3-3, so no recommendation was forwarded. Council members asked about traffic, the gate, fencing and landscaping, and driver safety. Dealership representatives said the gate could be limited to transport deliveries rather than employees. Several neighbors spoke against, citing traffic on 1200 South, a new access point and the lack of a buffer wall; one speaker said she would support the rezone with a brick wall and landscaping but not a gate. City Attorney Steve Earl suggested a development agreement. Council members asked that it require a brick or block wall with landscaping, a traffic study on whether another signal is needed, and no employee use of the gate. The item was continued to March 25.
- Applicant: Ken Garff
- Acres: about 1.05
- Current zone to proposed: R8 to C2
- Planning Commission: split 3-3, no recommendation
- Proposed: about 79 parking spaces, gated access on 1200 South
Item 10.2 · Budget
Amendment to the fiscal year 2024-25 budget
Approved · 6-0
Finance Director Brandon Nelson presented amendments, mostly grant- and donation-related, plus a deep tine aerator funded by higher field rental revenue, supplies funded by ballfield dirt sold to Highland City, and a paramedic vehicle funded by insurance proceeds from a fire engine that burned in November 2020. Because the General Fund balance exceeded the state's 35% maximum, $3.2 million must be spent or transferred by year end; it goes to the Capital Projects Fund until projects are approved. Senior Friendship Center boiler and kitchen equipment replacement is funded from the Senior Citizens Fund surplus. No one spoke at the public hearing.
- Budget$3.20 million
What residents said
Traffic on 1200 SouthGate access for Ken Garff expansionBuffer wall and landscapingShort-term rental regulationDriveway safety on 1200 South
Derek Phillips urged balanced short-term rental rules, citing economic benefits to local businesses. Representatives of The Ruth theater in Pleasant Grove invited the council to a show. At the Ken Garff hearing, several neighbors opposed the rezone over traffic on 1200 South, a new access point and the lack of a wall; one speaker said she could support it with a brick wall and landscaping but no gate. No one spoke on the budget amendment.