Provo council backs regional transportation plan 6-1 and advances parking-reduction change 6-1 in work meeting
July 14, 2026, 1:00 p.m. · 445 W. Center Street, Provo
At its July 14 work meeting the Provo council voted 6-1, with Councilor Whitlock opposed, to express support for the current master transportation plan and the projects it shares with the Mountainland Association of Governments. It voted 6-1, with Councilor Whipple opposed, to advance an amendment removing the Planning Commission's authority to approve parking reductions to a night meeting. It also heard an Intermountain Health update, a $260,000 HOME-ARP reallocation, a $16,520.49 storm drain agreement with Orem, a residency requirement for boards and commissions, a tow truck parking proposal it chose not to advance, and external accessory dwelling unit rules.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 31, 2026.
In brief
8 items came up for a decision or discussion: 6 discussed, 1 approved, and 1 no action.
2 votes were not unanimous: Presentation by the Mountainland Association of Governments (26-055) (6-1) and Amendments to Provo City Code 14.37.050 on parking requirement reductions (PLOTA20260080) (6-1).
The agenda records 2 dollar amounts, the largest $260,000.
2 items here are tracked in the city's development tracker.
This write-up links 4 source documents.
7 members were present.
The previous City Council work session meeting was on July 14, 2026: Provo council votes 6-0 to vacate part of 1600 West and ratify Level II fire restrictions; rezones continued
The next one was on July 22, 2026: Provo council goes into closed meeting, 7-0
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Roads and utilities
Presentation by the Mountainland Association of Governments (26-055)
Approved · 6-1
MAG staff described the regional transportation plan (horizon 2055) and the four-to-six-year Transportation Improvement Program, about $3.6 billion in countywide projects through 2031, roughly $500 million of it MAG-administered. The 820 North corridor is a Phase 1 need in the plan; Councilor Hoban asked for updated modeling. The council voted 6-1 to express support for the current master transportation plan and the projects shared with MAG.
Item 2 · Presentation
Update from Intermountain Health Care (26-059)
Discussed
Utah Valley Hospital administrator Kyle Hansen projected about a 50 percent rise in daily hospital census over ten years, from roughly 210 to 312 inpatient beds needed countywide, plans for BYU medical school residencies and a possible Level 1 trauma designation, and redevelopment along Freedom Boulevard and Canyon Road. He voiced strong support for an 820 North interchange to I-15. Chair MacKay raised forming a committee with Intermountain, BYU and Noorda.
Item 3 · Budget
Resolution amending the HOME-ARP allocation plan (26-025)
Discussed
RDA Director Melissa McNalley said the amendment lets Community Action move $260,000 from tenant-based rental assistance to supportive services such as eviction prevention, with total funding unchanged. A public hearing is set for Aug. 11.
- Grant$260,000 to Community Action
Item 4 · Contract
Interlocal agreement with Orem on the 2000 North storm drain project (26-056)
Discussed
Engineer Danielle Nixon said Orem awarded the construction contract to RV Construction and will own the main line while Provo takes responsibility for inlets and laterals. Provo's total cost is $16,520.49. Councilor Whitlock said it appeared favorable to Provo.
- Contract$16,520.49 to Orem City
Item 5 · Roads and utilities
Ordinance vacating a section of 1600 West (PLSV20250636)
Discussed
A planner said about a 0.08-acre, 20-foot strip would return to the original dedicating owners under state law at no cost to the city. Haight said widening would require acquiring about nine homes, so the city will build sidewalks and add no-parking signs.
Item 6 · City code
Ordinance requiring board and commission members to be Provo residents (26-057)
Discussed
Policy Analyst Tanner Taguchi proposed a default residency rule with exceptions for up to three Arts Council members, the airport board's fixed-base operator seat and the Board of Equalization, letting incumbents finish their terms. Directed to a night meeting for formal action.
Item 7 · City code
Text amendment to allow tow truck parking in residential zones (26-058)
No action
The proposal would exempt tow trucks under government contract parked on the operator's residential lot. Code enforcement logged about five tow truck citations in five years. Councilors raised fairness concerns, and the council reached consensus to fold the 14,000-pound weight threshold update into the code rewrite and not advance the tow truck exception.
Item 8 · City code
Amendments to Provo City Code 14.37.050 on parking requirement reductions (PLOTA20260080)
Discussed · 6-1
The amendment would remove the Planning Commission's administrative paths to reduce parking, a transportation demand management plan and an enhanced bicycle program, so any reduction would need council action. Only eight such plans have been approved. Councilor Whipple opposed, preferring to keep the administrative path. The council voted 6-1 to advance it to a night meeting.
Item 9 · City code
External accessory dwelling units (26-038)
Discussed
Policy Analyst Melia Dayley presented five amendments, including a 40 percent combined coverage cap, setbacks that grow with height above 16 feet up to 25 feet for new state-mandated detached units, and parking of two stalls for units 650 square feet or larger and one for smaller units. Councilor Bogdin noted the changes must be adopted by Oct. 1. The council agreed to forward them into the zoning code rewrite.
What residents said
The minutes record no public comment.