Lehi City Council Meeting Summary - May 12, 2026

The Lehi City Council held a regular meeting on May 12, 2026, starting at 7:00 PM. The agenda included a water wise landscape award, a proclamation, public hearings on the proposed budget and tax increase, and several land use and development items. Key actions included approval of a zone change, a signage amendment for a tennis facility, and denial of a proposed amendment to the Traverse Mountain Area Plan. The consent agenda was approved, and the council also adopted the CDBG annual action plan.

Ceremonial Items

• Water Wise Yard of the Month: Todd presented the award to Bonnie and Jack Wadley of 1504 South 500 West for their sustainable landscaping. The program aims to encourage water conservation.
• Proclamation: Mayor Benz read a proclamation declaring May 3–9, 2026 as Public Service Recognition Week, honoring Lehi City employees. City employees in attendance were recognized.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (5-0) with no discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizen Input (before public hearings):

  • David Spencer, candidate for Utah County Commissioner, stated his intention to meet with all cities to understand their needs and advocated for county coordination to secure state funding.
  • Gerald Larson, owner of a gas station, expressed opposition to tax increases and criticized impact fees, arguing they should be based on future growth. He also opposed city subsidies for Thanksgiving Point, calling it a non-profit that should not receive tax dollars.
  • Eileen Miller, Utah Valley Home Builders Association, noted that impact fees are only charged on new construction and invited council to the Parade of Homes (June 4–20, 2026).

• Public Hearing on Budget and Tax Increase (Item 5.3):

  • Taylor McKinnon, spouse of a city employee, spoke in support of maintaining employee benefits, including health care and wage increases, citing personal experience with an autoimmune disease.
  • Russ McGowns, a retired senior, opposed the property tax increase, stating it is burdensome for seniors on fixed incomes.
  • Gerald Larson returned to criticize business tax breaks and the overall tax burden, claiming he pays over $50,000 annually in property taxes.
  • Doug Chandler, also retired, opposed the tax increase and suggested using revenues from new businesses instead of raising taxes.
  • Brett Neilson, candidate for State House District 51, attended to observe and learn.

• Public Hearing on Traverse Mountain Area Plan Amendment (Item 5.9):

  • Several residents spoke against the proposed density transfer:
    • Aaron Ethington (The Crossing neighborhood) argued that the current area plan already disadvantaged his neighborhood (no parks) and that the density cap was a key protection.
    • Joshua Coleman (Kenyon Hills) expressed concerns about overconcentration of density, inadequate park space, and traffic/school impacts.
    • Angie Parkin (Traverse Mountain) stated that Perry Homes should not be allowed to transfer density; if they cannot build, units should be forfeited. She cited hillside preservation code requirements.
    • Mary Anletho (20-year resident) noted that the area plan explicitly forbids density transfer and that Perry Homes has not provided requested traffic studies.
    • Paul Randstrom (The Crossing) opposed the transfer, saying it would increase density near his home and that current residents bought based on the existing plan.

Discussion Items

• Item 5.8 – Hansen Tennis Facility Signage (Resolution 2026-34): The applicant, Jacob Hansen, sought to amend the development agreement to allow signage. Council discussed monument sign size (originally proposed 6'x6', later modified to 4'x4' with a 6' height). After the applicant arrived, the council agreed to approve with amendments: monument sign not to exceed 48 inches wide by 48 inches high, extending no more than 6 feet off the ground, and incorporating DRC comments for downlighting. The building sign was also approved as non-lit.

• Item 5.9 – Traverse Mountain Area Plan Amendment (Concept Approval): Matt Swain of Perry Commercial presented a proposal to move up to 600 units from West Canyon to locations near Timpanogos Highway, citing wildfire risk, infrastructure, and transit benefits. Residents strongly opposed, referencing the existing area plan prohibition on density transfer and lack of studies. Council members expressed concerns about the lack of traffic and utility studies, trust issues with Perry Homes, and the negative impact on existing neighborhoods. The motion to deny the amendment was made and passed unanimously.

• Item 5.12 – Development Code Amendment (Ordinance 15-2026): Kim from staff presented an amendment to convert conditional uses to permitted uses where pre-existing supplementary requirements exist. After discussion about child daycare regulations, the council approved the ordinance unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous): Consent agenda, sale of property (5.1), CDBG action plan (5.5), Green zone change (5.7), Hanson Tennis Facility signage resolution (5.8) with amendments, and development code amendment (5.12).
• Denied (unanimous): Traverse Mountain Area Plan amendment to move units out of West Canyon (5.9).
• Tabled (then untabled): Initial tabling of the Hanson Tennis signage item was later reversed, and the item was approved.
• No action: Item 5.6 (development code amendment tabled from April 14) was not brought forward.
• Public hearings closed: Budget and tax increase hearing closed after comments; no formal vote on the budget (it was a required notice).