Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in American Fork City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
26 issues in zoning
Committee Membership and Governance
The Beautification Committee is actively looking for new members to join before the end of the year and needs volunteers for specific roles like secretary, Tree City USA committee member, and event advertising coordinator.
Sploot Veterinary Clinic Code Text Amendment
This proposal would allow small animal veterinary clinics without outdoor runs or overnight boarding to open in SC-1 shopping center zones.
Administrative Site Plan Review Code Correction
A minor housekeeping amendment to fix a clerical error in Section 17.6.101 of the city code.
American Fork Hillcrest Institutional Landscaping Amendment
This change would let churches, schools, and other institutional uses increase their lawn areas from 20 percent to 33 percent of total landscaped space.
Walnut Court Plat C & D Amended Plats
Property owners are proposing adjustments to residential property lines at Walnut Court Plats C and D to better fit existing two-family and single-family dwellings in the R2-7500 zone.
Residential Accessory Structure Standards
The city passed an ordinance to comply with a state law requiring detached ADUs on lots over 11,000 square feet. Council members discussed balancing property rights with neighborhood privacy, parking, and future infrastructure impacts.
Appeal Request at 160 North 100 East
Tony and Renee Rhoton have filed an administrative appeal regarding property located at 160 North 100 East. The Board will hear presentations from the applicants and city staff before rendering a decision.
Variance Request at 156 South 300 East
Collin Lambourne applied for a property variance at 190 N 300 E, which the board was scheduled to review during a public hearing.
620 South Annexation
The council held a public hearing on the proposed 6.816-acre 620 South Annexation without public comment.
General Plan Update & Commercial/Residential Overlays
The city adopted an updated General Plan after a two-year review process, aligning local policies with state code requirements and updating land use, transportation, and water elements. The total project cost was $222,000, with the city's match being $22,000.
Park Strip Ordinance Accessibility
The city is repealing and replacing Chapter 12.16 of the municipal code to update rules governing park strips and street tree plantings. This affects how property owners landscape and maintain the public right-of-way between sidewalks and curbs.
Residential Garage Standards
A local resident urged the city to adopt garage depth standards of at least 20 feet and higher soil compaction requirements to prevent parking issues and sinking concrete in newer homes.
Municipal Code Updates
Proposed updates to the city code could change local rules and regulations governing property, building, and daily operations. Residents and business owners should monitor these changes to see how they impact local compliance.
Municipal Code Rewrite
Staff are rewriting the city's 1,000-page code down to 300 pages, standardizing procedures and consolidating zoning and parking requirements.
Property Compliance and Permitting
The city is working to bring existing buildings into compliance after owners completed construction without proper permits. This ensures that all structures meet safety and zoning standards.
Jasper Lot Land Use Map Amendment
The city council approved changing a residential parcel at 570 East Main Street to general commercial, despite staff concerns about creating an isolated commercial designation.
Zoning Map Revisions
The city is rethinking its zoning map after residents expressed concerns about potential changes to their neighborhoods. The new plan focuses only on commercial areas, ensuring residential zones stay the same.
Municipal Land Use Planning and Public Outreach
Council members and residents discussed ongoing land use map updates and zoning changes, emphasizing the importance of public engagement and transparent planning processes.
Residential Zoning Changes
Many residents are fighting proposed changes that would increase density in their neighborhoods, fearing more traffic and safety issues.
Polycentric Development
The city is exploring a polycentric development plan to shape future growth across multiple commercial and residential centers. This planning effort affects how neighborhood layouts, commercial hubs, and transportation corridors will be designed in American Fork.
Land Use Map Amendment at 400 East and 1100 South
A proposal to change 30.52 acres from Design Industrial to Residential Medium Density to align with future annexations and housing plans. The council approved the map change while discussing annexation agreements to manage unit density.
Dunn Construction Business License Appeal & Concrete Crushing Standards
Dunn Construction is appealing the city's denial of its business license for concrete processing in a light industrial zone. The council is weighing whether the operation qualifies as permitted light industrial use or requires formal site plan approval and zoning amendments.
Transit-Oriented Development Operational Overlays Code Amendment
Proposed code text amendments aim to update block type and operational overlay maps in the transit-oriented development zone.
American Fork Station Area Plan
The city is reviewing a comprehensive plan to guide future development, infrastructure, and funding around the local station area.
Meadow View Ranch Land Use Map Amendment
A developer requested to change 25.37 acres from low-density to medium-density residential to allow a mix of townhomes and single-family homes. While supporters highlighted the need for affordable starter homes and single-family options, opponents worried about setting a precedent for increased density.
Off-Street Parking Standards Code Amendment
A commercial property owner requested a parking reduction for a building housing various tenants including a cheer facility, but the council voted it down due to safety and traffic concerns.