Lehi City Council Meeting - July 8, 2025

The Lehi City Council held a regular meeting on July 8, 2025, beginning with a pre-council session at 6:30 p.m. followed by the regular session at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The meeting addressed public comments on traffic safety, park improvements, and noise barriers; approved the consent agenda; and considered two ordinances. Agenda items 2.1 (911 Services Review) and 5 (Pony Express Parkway Interlocal Agreement) were pulled from the evening's agenda and will be reworked for a later date.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved draft minutes from May 13, 2025, and June 10, 2025.
• Purchase Orders: Approved multiple purchase orders, including $400,000+ for Dry Creek restroom facilities funded by a grant, and other equipment purchases.
• Ordinance #41-2025: Re-approved the Hadco-Pacific Annexation. The consent agenda passed unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Scott O'Reilly (Center Street/2300 N area): Stated that speeding is a horrendous problem on Center Street between 2600 N and 2100 N. He expressed frustration that previous suggestions (speed bumps, a three-way stop, flashing signs) have been rejected, and urged the council to investigate a three-way stop at his intersection, noting the danger to children, pets, and cyclists. He was advised to contact the city's traffic engineer, Luke Miller.
• Rachel Freeman (representing residents near Tipanogas Highway): Expressed concern for children crossing Tipanogas Highway between Skyridge High School and Viewpoint Middle School, noting that a pedestrian bridge study is in phase two (2033-2042 timeline). Starting next fall, busing will be eliminated for students living more than two miles from the school, increasing risk. She urged the council to advocate with UDOT to accelerate the timeline. Council members noted prior advocacy and encouraged her to also contact the school district.
• Steve Seely: Described Willow Park campground as poorly maintained and urged improvements to make it a year-round destination. He offered to meet with council members to share his ideas (including cabins and revenue generation) and asked about the possibility of the city acquiring a 40-acre parcel west of the park (River Bend LLC). Council members directed him to the Parks, Trails, and Trees Committee and offered to tour the park with him.
• Evan Howlett: Criticized UDOT's noise barrier evaluation for the 2100 N expansion, stating that only one of 12 sections was approved for a barrier and that the evaluation undercounted residents. He asked how the council advocates for citizens on this issue. Councilwoman Stellings detailed her meetings with UDOT, noting that a reevaluation was conducted but still rejected due to cost-effectiveness, and that another reevaluation will occur during final design. Howlett encouraged continued advocacy.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance #42-2025 – Traverse Mountain Area Plan Amendment: The request from Strap Tank (represented by Michael Lavsen) sought to allow manufacturing, processing, or packing of food and beverage products as a permitted use in the Traverse Mountain area plan, enabling bottling and off-site sales of their beverages. The planning commission had recommended conditional use. Council members expressed concerns about the broad scope (including food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals) and potential impacts. After discussion, a motion was made to approve the ordinance with amendments: (1) limit the permitted use to beverage bottling only (exclude food processing); (2) limit the geographical application to the Strap Tank parcel (not the entire area); (3) designate it as a permitted use rather than conditional. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
• Ordinance #43-2025 – Morgan Zone Change: The applicant (Brooke Moore, Grow Development) requested a zone change for 1.13 acres at 105 South 1100 West from RA-1 (residential/agriculture) to R-2 (medium density residential) to allow a four-lot subdivision. No public comments. The council approved the zone change unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance #42-2025: Approved with conditions (beverage bottling only, limited to Strap Tank parcel, permitted use). Council provided guidance that similar future requests outside the area would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Ordinance #43-2025: Approved unanimously.
• Public Input Follow-up: The citizen requesting traffic calming on Center Street was referred to the city traffic engineer. The resident concerned about Willow Park was invited to email council members and attend the Parks, Trails, and Trees Committee meeting (third Thursday of the month). Issues regarding Tipanogas Highway pedestrian safety and 2100 N noise barriers remain under UDOT jurisdiction with ongoing city advocacy.