Transportation Master Plan update
The 2022 update of Orem's 2015 Transportation Master Plan, adopted by resolution into Appendix F of the General Plan on Oct. 10, 2023. The Planning Commission and staff both recommended dropping widening of 800 East and 1600 North; the council also debated overpasses, bike lanes and State Street connectivity.
- Where it stands
- Approved
- Type
- Public project
- Location
- Citywide
Every hearing and vote
May 16, 2023 · City Council
Transportation Master Plan update (work session)
Discussed
Horrocks Engineering's John Dorney reviewed updates to the 2022 Transportation Master Plan, including access management standards, traffic calming guidelines, traffic impact study guidelines and a Southwest Street Network Plan. Council Member LaNae Millett asked about taking 1600 North off the plan and adding it later as needed; Council Member Jeff Lambson asked whether it could stay in the plan while the council kept control over how it is handled. City Engineer Sam Kelly said both options exist. The plan was to go to the Planning Commission the next day, with a council public hearing June 27, 2023.
September 19, 2023 · City Council
Transportation Master Plan update (work session)
Discussed
City Engineer Sam Kelly presented the 2022 update of the 2015 plan, including updated traffic counts and a travel-demand model extended from 2040 to 2050. The Planning Commission recommended removing the 800 East, 1600 North, 800 South and 800 West widening projects and the 800 South and 1200 North overpasses. Staff recommended removing the 800 East and 1600 North widenings and the Center Street widening, and offered to prepare pros and cons for the rest. Council members raised bike lanes, safety, road expansion and medians, and asked for a timetable of planned projects.
September 26, 2023 · City Council
Transportation Master Plan resolution
Continued · 6-0
City Engineer Sam Kelly presented the update of the 2015 Transportation Master Plan, which also amends the General Plan. Planning Commission recommendations include removing the 800 East and 1600 North widenings and the 800 South and 1200 North overpasses. Kelly said the city agrees on 800 East and 1600 North but sees merit in the others, and that the plan only identifies future needs and studies would come before any project. Council Member LaNae Millett said she was not comfortable with 800 East on the plan, opposed removing parking on 1600 South and supported an updated active-transportation plan. Council Members Terry Peterson and Mayor Young said they opposed the overpasses; Peterson supports the Planning Commission's suggestions, and the mayor and Millett wanted state or regional funding sought for State Street connectivity and beautification. Council Member Debby Lauret asked about Vineyard growth and an updated bike plan. Staff opposed some of the Planning Commission's proposed wording as subjective, though the council favored it, and Peterson asked for a cleaned-up version.
October 10, 2023 · City Council
Resolution adopting the updated Transportation Master Plan
Approved · 4-0
The resolution adopts the update to the 2015 plan and places it in Appendix F of the General Plan. City Engineer Sam Kelly said it reflects changes the council requested: softened language on future bus rapid transit and light rail, removal of lobbying language for transit funding, and removal of FrontRunner long-range language because Orem is not in that plan. Mayor Young wanted strong encouragement for State Street connectivity; Assistant City Attorney Gary McGinn suggested 'should' and 'when feasible' wording. Kelly said funding was sought through Mountainland Association of Governments for UVU and Center Street connections, and Millett said she wants coordination with UTA. Peterson said he worried about road widening effects on neighborhoods. A Transportation Advisory Commission member told the council the commission wanted the plan adopted as submitted.