Tuesday, August 27, 2024
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The August 27, 2024 City Council meeting was one of the more consequential sessions of the year, combining adoption of the final tax rate and budget with a major west-side land-use decision and a high-profile housing-policy debate. The pre-council portion featured a Fresh Look Transit Study presentation from the Mountainland Association of Governments, a Parks and Recreation Master Plan update, a Heritage Arts Foundation presentation on art features planned for Family Park, and a presentation by Ed Condor on a Chief Wakara statue. On the regular agenda, Council considered Resolution #2024-48 adopting the final tax rate and budget for the City of Lehi, the culmination of the annual truth-in-taxation process. Council also considered Resolution #2024-49 granting Qwest Corporation, doing business as CenturyLink, a non-exclusive franchise to operate its telecommunications network within Lehi, and Ordinance #50-2024 granting the Draper Addition Zone Designation of Planned Community on 877.46 acres at approximately 4400 North Horton Way — a very large zoning action covering a section of Traverse Mountain-area land. The meeting was also the public-facing introduction of the Critical Homeownership Overlay Zone (CHOZ), a proposal that had cleared the Planning Commission on August 22. CHOZ would require developers in the overlay to present two concept plans, one priced conventionally and one at roughly a 20 percent reduction, with initial homes reserved for 30 days for essential city workers, Lehi residents, and first-time homebuyers before going to the general market. The proposal drew pointed concerns from Councilmember Michelle Stallings, who questioned whether the City should use zoning authority to influence land pricing. Next steps include continued public hearings and refinement of the CHOZ ordinance before any final adoption.