Lehi Planning Commission Work Session: Conditional Uses and Bike-Ped Plan Update - May 1, 2025

The Lehi Planning Commission held a work session on May 1, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting focused on updates to conditional use regulations and a presentation on the Bike-Pedestrian Plan update. No public comments were heard, and no votes were taken; the session was entirely informational and deliberative.

Discussion Items

Update on Conditional Uses

• Jacob (Planning Staff) presented proposed changes to reduce the number of conditional uses in both residential and non-residential tables of uses. In the residential table, the number of conditional uses would drop from 12 to 5, contingent on the zone: electrical substations and non-municipal power transmission lines, commercial campgrounds, commercial recreational facilities, kennels, and commercial greenhouses. The remaining conditional uses were retained due to potential impacts (e.g., kennels requiring municipal code changes, commercial recreational facilities needing flexibility for parking and traffic).
• In the non-residential table, the number of conditional uses would be reduced to 8, including communication facilities/towers, wind energy facilities, auto service and repair (large), commercial entertainment facilities, commercial recreational facilities, and contractor storage yards. Many former conditional uses (e.g., bed and breakfasts, child daycares, dog care facilities) would become permitted with supplementary requirements.
• Staff noted that the effort originated from a City Council request and has expanded to include updates to definitions (Chapter 39) and property development standards (Chapter 12), with additional supplementary requirements being developed. Commissioners asked about specific uses: kennels were discussed as allowed only in agricultural zones; commercial campgrounds in TH5 were questioned; nursing homes in TH5 were clarified as permitted only if no city water services are needed; and data centers were flagged for potential City Council involvement due to water usage.
• The update also addressed state code requirements for bars and liquor stores (600-foot distance from churches, schools, etc.), removing them as conditional uses. The heliport definition was narrowed to only allow medical establishments.

Bike-Pedestrian Plan Update

• Mike (Planning Staff) presented the draft Bike-Ped Plan update, emphasizing simplification from 200 pages to 30 pages of text, with a new prioritization map, design examples, and a gaps analysis. The plan aims to achieve a vision of safe, comfortable walking and biking for all ages and abilities.
• Key statistics: Lehi currently has 17 miles of bike lanes, 1.8 miles of separated bikeways, and 75 miles of paved trails. Per 10,000 residents, Lehi has 7.5 miles of paved trails, compared to Highland (10.0), Alpine (2.7), Saratoga Springs (higher), and Eagle Mountain (nearly 15). Data from trail counters showed an average of 306 daily users on the rail trail (peak day 475) and 680 on the Murdoch Canal Trail (peak day near 1,000). The 700 South bikeway (7th South) saw a 400% increase in usage after the SR92 bridge was completed.
• Public input indicated safety (70% of survey respondents) as the top concern, followed by facility needs and connectivity. The plan sets eight goals for the next 5–10 years, including adding 20% of missing sidewalks, 11 miles of paved trails, 12 miles of on-street bike infrastructure, and lighting to the rail trail. Commissioners discussed the 7th South design (temporary delineators, parking issues, curb changes) and the need for connections to parks, downtown, and neighboring cities. Mike noted that the next step is to finalize the map, meet with remaining neighboring cities, and release the plan for public comment before adoption.

Key Outcomes

• No formal decisions were made. The conditional use update will continue with internal review of supplementary requirements, and the planning commission may hold another work session before adoption.
• The Bike-Ped Plan update will be finalized, then released for public comment, followed by the adoption process.
• The next regular planning commission meeting is scheduled for May 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM, where an appeal regarding a medical office building on 1200 West will be heard. The appeal involves neighbors challenging the buffering/fencing installed during development.