City Council - October 24, 2023

Meeting Summary

The Lehi City Council voted 3-1 on October 24, 2023 to update the Master Transportation Plan to support a Clubhouse Drive extension to Redwood Road, adopting a route that bypasses the Hardman family property by re-routing through the existing 3600 West and 2700 North roads. The vote ends — at least at the city level — a six-year fight over one of West Lehi's most contentious transportation projects. The original 2018 alignment was abandoned after Thanksgiving Point-area residents pushed back, costing the city $9 million in state funding; the State Legislature revived the project in 2022 by taking jurisdiction of the road and funding an environmental and feasibility study, which is currently underway. UDOT and the Legislature retain final say over the route regardless of the council's preference. Mayor Mark Johnson framed the extension as one of six east-west corridors — alongside the 2100 North Freeway, Pioneer Crossing, Pony Express Highway, Porter Rockwell Boulevard and a new Point of the Mountain Connector — needed to handle West Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain growth that planners project could reach 200,000 to 250,000 residents. Ryan Hales of Hales Engineering presented the technical case for the corridor. Public comment was dominated by the Hardman family and their attorney Travis Walter, who told the council the alignment as drawn would create "significant legal troubles" and would disrupt the family's plans for a 67-unit subdivision on the same property. A representative from neighboring Camp Williams reminded the council that state law requires support of routes within the base's protected zone. Councilwoman Katie Koivisto, a long-standing opponent of the extension, motioned to table the item; her motion failed. Councilman Chris Condie then moved the approving motion that ultimately passed 3-1, with Koivisto dissenting. After the vote Koivisto said she "wholeheartedly disagree[d]" with the decision and predicted it would "split, divide, and destroy Holbrook Farms as we know it." UDOT's environmental study will determine the final alignment in the months ahead.