Tuesday, October 22, 2024
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The Council unanimously denied the Bowden General Plan Amendment (Ordinance #64-2024), which sought to change the land use designation on 5.18 acres at 9861 West 9600 North from Very Low Density Residential Agriculture (VLDRA) to Low Density Residential (LDR). The applicant, Corey Bowden, was not present at the meeting, and four residents spoke in opposition, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the area's half-acre lot character. Residents cited concerns about inconsistency with surrounding lot sizes, increased traffic on 1500 North, and potential negative impacts on neighborhood character. The Council also unanimously approved Resolution #2024-54, an agreement with Bureau Veritas for third-party building and construction plan review services related to the new Texas Instruments fabrication plant. Community Development Director Kim Struthers explained the rare third-party review was necessary due to the project's size and technical complexity, with costs covered by standard permit fees. During the pre-council work session, the Council discussed several significant topics. Mike West presented a draft bike and pedestrian plan with seven main goals for the next five to ten years, focusing on safety and connectivity, including updating development codes, adding missing sidewalks, installing trail lighting, and connecting key destinations. Luke Seegmiller, Lehi City Traffic Engineer, reported on railroad crossing compliance progress for maintaining quiet zone status, noting most locations have been fixed except for three problematic crossings. Mayor Johnson presented Utah County's request for cities to contribute to homeless warming centers at a rate of $1,000 per 1,000 residents, which would mean approximately $90,000 for Lehi; the Council expressed concerns about the funding formula and requested more detailed cost information. The Council also engaged in a detailed discussion about design options for 2300 West between 300 North and 900 North, where the right-of-way purchased in 2005 is narrower than ideal. Brad Kenison, Lehi City Engineer, presented several alternatives ranging from $165,000 to $790,000. The Council agreed to proceed with Alternative 2A, the most cost-effective option at $165,000, which involves steepening side slopes slightly and adding a drainage solution while maintaining the existing fence. The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation.