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Record of Proceedings

Lehi City Council Meeting January 14, 2025: Approvals, Zone Changes, and Unsheltered Aid

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, January 14, 2025
BodyLehi, Utah
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, January 14, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

February 14th, 2025, our first uh full council uh meeting of the new year.

0:09

So welcome.

0:11

Uh as a matter of roll call.

0:13

Uh we do have all our council members here except for Chris Conde, who was not feeling well a little bit earlier, and he asked to be excused.

0:20

So he is excused today.

0:22

Uh we do always start out our regular session with a pledge of allegiance, and I have asked uh Michelle Stallings if she would be kind enough to lead us.

0:56

Thank you, Michelle.

0:58

Okay.

1:00

As is almost always the case with uh when we start our regular session of city council, we have a we have uh uh short period where we uh listen to citizen input.

1:13

And uh we have we have things that are going on in our community that we may not necessarily be aware of.

1:19

So here's an opportunity if if you think there's something that needs to be brought to the attention of myself or the city council or the administrative staff.

1:28

Uh we're here to listen to that and we can make notes and and see what we can do to correct something that's if there's something that we can indeed correct.

1:37

Um there's rules.

1:39

If somebody has something to speak, you come up to the podium, you have to give us your name.

1:44

Uh that's just kind of the way it is because it goes on the record here and and uh it's that's a good thing.

1:53

Uh but is there anybody here who would like to uh come up and speak?

1:58

We do usually limit the comments to about three minutes.

2:00

So that's just go ahead and stand up.

2:05

Hi, I'm Brianne Beckstrom.

2:08

I reside at 579 North, 1100 West.

2:13

As a wife, mother, small business owner, accountant, supporter, a blue-collar, and skilled trades, I chose Lehigh to be my hometown.

2:22

November 2024, I sent a letter in the mail informing more than 500 registered home occupations of the circumstance I found myself in.

2:31

Yeah, our business was registered and we had a business license laminated and hung on the wall in my office.

2:37

I was now several weeks into questioning if it and it was hard to hear the accusations of illegal home activity by an anonymous source.

2:46

I felt violated.

2:48

Yet no one from the city came to our home to view the reported obscene business practices.

2:54

During this time of our privacy, safety, and sense of home were violated.

2:59

For several weeks, I was kindly questioned by Jacob Curtis and Kim, leading to the determination no matter what we did, we would never be in compliance.

3:10

As I was directed to the fine print of the code.

3:13

I am sure the previous resident of our home had a family-owned home occupation registered as well.

3:19

Did the previous resident get a free pass?

3:22

Did the city turn a blind eye?

3:25

What small town code of conduct was I not privileged to?

3:29

My rebel heart, large opinions would never get me into the good old boys' club of Lehigh.

3:35

It was beyond belief the power and anonymous complaint received.

4:00

Hundreds would be faced with the same news I received.

4:03

We didn't belong here in Lehigh.

4:10

And we might find a solution for you.

4:12

So submit the amendment.

4:15

This still has not sat well with me.

4:26

Would it pass DRC and then on to city council?

4:30

I felt it would be a hard no.

4:33

It was providential timing.

4:35

We found a commercial space just off State Street.

4:38

Perfect for us and our construction company.

4:44

No longer will the anonymous neighbor be breathing down my neck during the amendment process.

4:50

So we moved forward and signed a lease.

4:53

As it sits, there are currently more than 500 registered businesses that are operating beyond permitted use.

5:01

So here I am doing something about it.

5:04

I have never done anything like this in my life.

5:07

So I'm using my voice and working beyond my comfort zone in hopes that the city of Lehigh and the elected officials will recognize that we are stronger when we can rise together.

5:18

Lehigh should take this opportunity to be the CEO, the chief example officer, that there is a place for us.

5:26

Every skill, trade, and craft is needed.

5:29

I challenge you to look beyond stereotypes and see humankind building a strong city.

5:36

One that we can all be proud of.

5:38

Lehigh City can make a difference for our community by setting the standard of inclusion.

5:46

We are people, there are people sitting on the sidelines waiting for someone to tell them what to do and will forfeit their unlimited potential due to the fear of the development code and chance of being shut down.

5:58

Ultimately, the risk of failure failure keeps people from building a bright future.

6:04

So I guess I'm here tonight to challenge the city of Lehigh.

6:09

You must assume your responsibility by grandfathering over 500 current home occupation licenses that were issued to residents beyond permitted use and honorably accept culpability that brought us to this point in time.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning Regulations███████████████████████████████31%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████17%
Procedural██████████████14%
Planning and Zoning██████████████14%
Community Engagement████████8%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Community Development████4%
Homelessness███3%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Lehi City Council Meeting – January 14, 2025

The Lehi City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Mayor Mark Johnson presided with Council Members Paige Albrecht, Chris Condie (excused), Paul Hancock, Heather Newall, and Michelle Stallings present. The meeting covered routine approvals, a zone change, a final subdivision, an interlocal agreement to aid the unsheltered, and several infrastructure contracts. All votes were unanimous (4–0) with Councilor Condie absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Brianne Beckstrom (579 North 1100 West) expressed frustration that her home-based business was accused of illegal activity despite having a valid license. She proposed a code amendment and challenged the city to grandfather over 500 current home occupation licenses, emphasizing the contributions of such businesses to the community. Staff noted they are investigating and working on a draft code amendment.
  • Steven Gunther (1232 East 1450 North) inquired about the redistricting process for new school district board boundaries under Utah County, expressing concern that public outreach was insufficient. Councilor Newall advised contacting county commissioners and offered to provide updates.
  • Andrew Jackson offered support and willingness to help with home occupation issues, stating he has a permit that may be in violation. The Mayor advised him to provide input during public comment periods for specific applications.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved Purchase Orders (PO #7921, #7922, #7931, #7923, #7927, #7919, Spacesaver Intermountain) and approved minutes from December 3 and December 10, 2024 city council meetings, with an amendment to the December 10 minutes requested by Councilor Stallings (correcting her stated reason for a no vote to reference Utah State Code 53G-3-202). Motion carried 4–0.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution #2025-02 – Sewer Main Lining with C&L Water Solutions: Greg Allred, Water Division Manager, presented the $250,000 project to line approximately 3,400 feet of sewer main using a UV-cured “white noodle” process on 1500 North and 1200 West. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
  • Resolution #2025-03 – Box Culvert at Willow Park with Geneva Rock: Allred explained that a 60- or 72-inch steel pipe installed in reverse grade will be replaced with a larger box culvert to eliminate a flood bottleneck. Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution #2025-01 – Dry Creek Lake Regional Recreation Area Amendment: City Engineer Lorin Powell reported that a $1.5 million grant from Utah County (funded by tourism tax) will pay for bathrooms, a four-plex, fishing areas, and parking. The project already provides flood control benefits. Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution #2025-05 – Easement Agreement with Geneva Rock for Flight Park Road: Brad Kenison, Assistant City Engineer, explained the easement allows Lehi City to build a second public access road (currently gravel) for the Alta Vista development, which is required by code when a development exceeds 50 units. Approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance #01-2025 – Gordon Zone Change (860 North 2300 West): Applicants Kevin and Sarah Gordon requested rezoning 1.63 acres from A-1 to R-1-22 and Neighborhood Commercial to allow a residential lot and a daycare. The property had a prior development agreement limiting commercial use to daycare. Councilor Stallings raised safety concerns about a flag lot driveway but was assured the design would meet standards and improve fire access. The zone change is contingent on the property owners bringing the property into compliance (currently storing trailers illegally). Approved unanimously.
  • Final Subdivision Approval – River Point Phase 6: Edge Homes’ Brandon Watson presented a PUD subdivision of 38 single-family homes at approximately 1100 North 3600 West. The first phase built east of 3600 West. Approved unanimously with DRC and red line comments.
  • Ordinance #02-2025 – Public Facility Rezone 2024: Community Development Director Kim Struthers presented a “housekeeping” rezone of several city-owned properties (including Family Park) to the Public Facility zone to ensure public use and ease identification on the zoning map. The council excluded a small pedestrian access parcel that is still being addressed. Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution #2025-04 – Appointments to Metropolitan Water District of Lehi Board of Trustees: John Peterson and Stephen (Steve) Holbrook were appointed. Councilor Stallings noted that state code gives the council appointment authority, which she preferred as a closed session discussion had occurred. Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution #2025-06 – Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Utah County to Aid the Unsheltered: Mayor Johnson explained the city will contribute $9,000 (based on $100 per 1,000 population using the census number of 90,000) to support a county shelter, including donations of blankets. The council requested a report back in one year on fund use. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • All agenda items were approved unanimously (4–0, Councilor Condie absent).
  • The city will contribute $9,000 to the county’s unsheltered aid program, with a one-year follow-up report.
  • The Gordon zone change was approved contingent on compliance with zoning enforcement before recording.
  • The Public Facility Rezone excluded a small pedestrian access parcel under negotiation.
  • The council amended the December 10, 2024 minutes to reflect Councilor Stallings’ stated reason for her vote.
  • Staff will continue investigating home occupation licensing issues and consider a code amendment proposed by a resident.
  • The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:05 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

February 14th, 2025, our first uh full council uh meeting of the new year. So welcome. Uh as a matter of roll call. Uh we do have all our council members here except for Chris Conde, who was not feeling well a little bit earlier, and he asked to be excused. So he is excused today. Uh we do always start out our regular session with a pledge of allegiance, and I have asked uh Michelle Stallings if she would be kind enough to lead us. Thank you, Michelle. Okay. As is almost always the case with uh when we start our regular session of city council, we have a we have uh uh short period where we uh listen to citizen input. And uh we have we have things that are going on in our community that we may not necessarily be aware of. So here's an opportunity if if you think there's something that needs to be brought to the attention of myself or the city council or the administrative staff. Uh we're here to listen to that and we can make notes and and see what we can do to correct something that's if there's something that we can indeed correct. Um there's rules. If somebody has something to speak, you come up to the podium, you have to give us your name. Uh that's just kind of the way it is because it goes on the record here and and uh it's that's a good thing. Uh but is there anybody here who would like to uh come up and speak? We do usually limit the comments to about three minutes. So that's just go ahead and stand up. Hi, I'm Brianne Beckstrom. I reside at 579 North, 1100 West. As a wife, mother, small business owner, accountant, supporter, a blue-collar, and skilled trades, I chose Lehigh to be my hometown. November 2024, I sent a letter in the mail informing more than 500 registered home occupations of the circumstance I found myself in. Yeah, our business was registered and we had a business license laminated and hung on the wall in my office. I was now several weeks into questioning if it and it was hard to hear the accusations of illegal home activity by an anonymous source. I felt violated. Yet no one from the city came to our home to view the reported obscene business practices. During this time of our privacy, safety, and sense of home were violated. For several weeks, I was kindly questioned by Jacob Curtis and Kim, leading to the determination no matter what we did, we would never be in compliance. As I was directed to the fine print of the code. I am sure the previous resident of our home had a family-owned home occupation registered as well. Did the previous resident get a free pass? Did the city turn a blind eye? What small town code of conduct was I not privileged to? My rebel heart, large opinions would never get me into the good old boys' club of Lehigh. It was beyond belief the power and anonymous complaint received. Hundreds would be faced with the same news I received. We didn't belong here in Lehigh. And we might find a solution for you. So submit the amendment. This still has not sat well with me. Would it pass DRC and then on to city council? I felt it would be a hard no. It was providential timing. We found a commercial space just off State Street. Perfect for us and our construction company. No longer will the anonymous neighbor be breathing down my neck during the amendment process. So we moved forward and signed a lease. As it sits, there are currently more than 500 registered businesses that are operating beyond permitted use. So here I am doing something about it. I have never done anything like this in my life.

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