Lehi City Planning Commission Meeting - December 13, 2024

Note on Date Discrepancy: The raw transcript records the meeting's opening as "December twelfth, twenty twenty-four" (December 12, 2024). The specified date for this summary is 2024-12-13, as provided in the instructions. This summary uses the specified date for its structure while accurately reflecting all content from the source material.

Commissioner Everett served as acting chair, filling in for Chair Greg Jackson, with Bo filling in as a commissioner. A staff correction clarified that Item 3.5 was the Lehi City Public Facilities rezone, not the previously listed Texas Roadhouse item. The meeting covered routine approvals, conditional use permits, plat amendments, zone changes, and a citywide public facilities rezone.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2.1 & 2.2: Minutes from the Planning Commission meetings on November 7, 2024, and November 14, 2024, were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No online or in-person public comments were submitted for Items 3.1 (Boulder Landscaping), 3.2 (Hardman Crossing plat), 3.3 (Gordon zone change), or 3.4 (Gordon flag lot).
• Item 3.5 (Lehi City Public Facilities Rezone): Two members of the public spoke.
  • Grant Harrison inquired about the purpose of the rezone and its implications for a property he was seeking to purchase from the city near the cemetery and Family Park. Staff confirmed the rezone covered only existing city-owned parcels and would not affect his potential purchase.
  • Mr. Anderson asked about a notice he received regarding a Main Street property. Staff clarified the notice pertained to a city-owned parcel (the former Deirdon house) being rezoned for a downtown campus plaza, not to any private property.

Discussion Items

• Item 3.1: Boulder Landscaping Conditional Use (Vehicle/Equipment Storage, 4651 N Digital Drive)

  • A request to use an existing lot in the Light Industrial zone for overnight storage of company trucks and equipment.
  • Staff reported three DRC conditions: install bollards for vehicle impact protection, indicate the existing masonry fence on plans, and verify that no vehicles are parked within 20 feet of the property line.
  • The applicant was present but did not speak.
  • Outcome: Motion to approve the conditional use, finding it consistent with the General Plan and not detrimental to the vicinity, with the condition that all DRC comments are incorporated. Approved unanimously.

• Item 3.2: Gardner Group - Hardman Crossing Plat Amendment (Redwood Rd & Hardman Way)

  • A request to amend the plat of a 2.82-acre commercial property to split Lot 2, creating an additional lot to facilitate a veterinary clinic and other commercial buildings.
  • Staff reported that the new lots meet the minimum requirements of the Commercial zone and that the City has agreed to apply for a trail easement within the Utah Lake Distributing Canal.
  • The applicant was not present.
  • Outcome: Motion to approve the plat amendment with the finding that it meets the development code requirements, including all eight DRC comments. Approved unanimously.

• Item 3.3: Kevin & Sarah Gordon - Gordon Zone Change (860 N 2300 W)

  • A request to rezone 1.63 acres from A1 (Agriculture) to R1-22 (Residential) and Neighborhood Commercial to accommodate a future childcare center and a residence on a flag lot. A prior Development Agreement restricts the commercial portion to childcare use.
  • Staff noted an outstanding code enforcement issue regarding unauthorized vehicle and trailer storage on the property. A DRC comment requires the property to be brought into compliance before the zone change can be recorded.
  • Discussion covered the need for a shared access driveway onto the major collector road (2300 W) to limit conflict points. The applicants acknowledged potential impacts of daycare pickup/drop-off lines on residential access but agreed to the shared access design.
  • The Planning Commission is the recommending body to the City Council.
  • Outcome: Motion to recommend approval to the City Council, finding the zone change consistent with the General Plan and compatible with surrounding uses. All DRC comments were included, with the compliance requirement highlighted. The item is scheduled for City Council consideration on January 14, 2025. Passed unanimously.

• Item 3.4: Kevin & Sarah Gordon - Conditional Use for Flag Lot (860 N 2300 W)

  • A concurrent request to create a flag lot on the rear of the subject property. The proposed lot meets the size and stem requirements for the R1-22 zone.
  • DRC comments included providing driveway specifications, a visual address marker, a fire hydrant on the south lot line, and a shared access with the commercial lot. The commission favored a northern driveway stem to avoid conflict with the commercial parking lot entrance.
  • The commission debated imposing a condition on the orientation of the future home but ultimately decided against it, finding it unnecessary.
  • Outcome: Motion to approve the conditional use for the flag lot, explicitly adopting the design with the northern driveway access, including all DRC comments. The approval is conditional on the City Council's approval of the underlying zone change (Item 3.3). Passed unanimously.

• Item 3.5: Lehi City - Public Facilities Rezone 2024 (Various Locations)

  • A city-initiated application to rezone all city-owned properties to the Public Facility (PF) zone to ensure long-term public use and add development protection. The initiative began when staff noted a portion of Family Park was designated VLDR.
  • Three DRC comments were provided, including a requirement for a concurrent General Plan Amendment for portions of Family Park.
  • The Commission is the recommending body to the City Council.
  • Outcome: Motion to recommend approval to the City Council, finding the rezone consistent with the General Plan and compatible with surrounding uses. All DRC comments included. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes & Next Steps

• Commission Final Approvals: Items 3.1 (Boulder Landscaping), 3.2 (Hardman Crossing), and 3.4 (Gordon Flag Lot, contingent on Item 3.3 approval) were approved.
• Recommendations to City Council: A positive recommendation was forwarded for Item 3.3 (Gordon Zone Change, scheduled for Jan 14, 2025) and Item 3.5 (Lehi City Public Facilities Rezone).
• Upcoming Commission Business: A work session is scheduled for January 2, 2025, at 5:30 PM to elect a new chair and co-chair, review the bylaws, and discuss the 2025 schedule.
• Attainable Housing Overlay (AHO): Staff reported the City Council will conduct its own work session on the proposed ordinance rather than a joint session with the Planning Commission at this time.
• General Plan Amendment Cycle: Applications for General Plan amendments will open in February 2025.