Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Heber City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Pickle Ball Project Road Impacts
The city evaluated traffic and road impacts at 790 South and 150 East to accommodate a new pickle ball facility while addressing neighborhood concerns.
Communications Policy
The council restricted elected officials from writing individual op-eds for the city newsletter without majority approval, sparking debate over free speech.
North Fields Agricultural Protection MOU
Heber City and Wasatch County partnered to update their MOU, cementing protections to keep the North Fields agricultural and zoned at Ag-20.
100 West Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming
The city approved $150,000 for striping, sidewalks, and crosswalk bulb-outs on 100 West to protect pedestrians, despite some loss of street parking for residents.
C Street Pedestrian Initiative & Downtown Revitalization
City engineers proposed new traffic calming measures to improve pedestrian safety across local roadways.
Balloon SASO Permitting and Operations
Establishment of new compliance guidelines, permitting structures, and fees specifically tailored for hot air balloon operators at the airport.
Airport Quarterly Operations and Capital Projects
Review of the third-quarter 2026 accomplishments, including engineering RFPs, grant-funded electric aircraft chargers, and wildlife management improvements.
Airport Property Cleanup and Equipment Removal
Enforcement efforts to clear abandoned, unapproved vehicles and equipment from airport grounds to maintain safety and organization.
Municipal Security Deployment and Systems
City leaders held a confidential emergency meeting to review security personnel and technology infrastructure across municipal facilities. This discussion focuses on keeping public buildings and infrastructure safe.
Park Infrastructure Upgrades
The committee reviewed multiple vendor bids for playground upgrades funded by TAP tax revenues. Members discussed prioritizing features like inclusive play structures, natural climbing elements, and adequate shade while balancing costs across multiple city parks.
Open Space Preservation and Conservation Fee Ordinance
Mayor Franco introduced a draft ordinance that creates a formal process for the city to spend conservation fee money on preserving agricultural land and open space, particularly in the North Fields. The POST committee would act as an advisory body to vet applications and make recommendations to the City Council.
Allwest Fiber Optic Cable Placement
Allwest asked the city to bend its underground cable rules so they can string overhead fiber in downtown Heber. They argue it's too expensive to trench everywhere, but council members worry about visual clutter and setting a precedent for other telecom companies.
Blue Sign Annexation and Land Use Options
Developers of the 4.26-acre Blue Sign property presented four concept plans featuring townhomes and commercial spaces along Highway 40. The council emphasized the need for affordable housing, trail connections, and preservation of the historic London Springs area.
Riverhawk Road Annexation
The city is considering annexing 3.38 acres of roadway around the new Deer Creek High School to ensure police and maintenance jurisdiction falls fully within Heber City. This clean-up annexation brings the street in front of the school under unified city management.
Mill Road and 1200 South Intersection Safety
Despite emotional testimony from long-time residents and business owners about land loss and business disruption, the council voted to move forward with engineering designs for a new roundabout at 1200 South and Mill Road.
Data Breach
Heber City is dealing with a major data breach after a fired IT worker allegedly hacked into hundreds of confidential emails and leaked them online. It's a huge privacy headache for local government and everyone whose data was floating around in those inboxes.
Mountain View Commons Phase 5 Plat Amendment
A building in Phase 5 of Mountain View Commons is reducing its unit count from five to four, making for slightly lower density.
Mayflower Lofts Master Development Agreement Amendment
The developer of Mayflower Lofts wants to switch from mixed-use buildings to a townhome project with a small commercial corner. Commissioners agreed to recommend the change to City Council but added a requirement that 10% of the units be affordable housing.
Cell Tower Height and Location Standards
The council reviewed proposed zoning code changes to allow taller cell towers up to 80 feet with stricter setbacks to encourage shared infrastructure and improve coverage.
Main Street Park Development
Residents and council members debated what to include in the Phase 2 redesign of Main Street Park, balancing the desire for open green space and trees against proposed amenities like a skate ribbon, splash pad, and commercial buildings.
Justice Court Consolidation
With the local judge stepping down, the city explored whether to recruit a new judge or combine operations with Wasatch County, ultimately deciding to pursue consolidation.
London Springs Partnership
The council will discuss a proposed collaboration involving London Springs, which could impact local resources or community programming.
Historic Preservation and Heritage Collaborations
The Heber City Historical Preservation Commission planned to discuss new historic site designations and community heritage collaborations to preserve local history.
Carl Malone Group Zoning Amendment
Heber City is debating whether to let a 65-foot cell tower go up in a residential area. Neighbors are worried it’ll be a total eyesore and tank their property values, while the city tries to balance that against the need for better reception.
Wildland Urban Interface Map Amendment
Updating the WUI map impacts building requirements and safety standards in fire-prone areas around Heber City.
Tava-Highlands Public Infrastructure District (PID) Approval
Developers are seeking to form a PID for the 116-acre Highlands project to help fund $40 million in public infrastructure. While proponents argue it lowers upfront home prices and provides affordable housing, council members raised concerns about long-term property tax burdens on homeowners and state auditor warnings.
Bush Annexation and Property Code Compliance
The Council approved the Bush Annexation under University Village zoning with strict conditions, requiring a financial bond to ensure the timely removal of stored materials and clean-up of the property.
Property Tax Increase
The city council tentatively adopted a $72 million budget that includes an option for a 5.2% property tax increase to cover rising operational and inflationary costs. Residents heavily criticized the proposed tax hike during public comment, pointing to cumulative tax increases and cost-of-living pressures.
Tree Subcommittee Focus and Species Quality
Residents and committee members raised concerns about dying trees in city parks, discussing whether herbicide use or mechanical damage from lawn equipment was harming memorial trees.
FY'27 Tap Tax Project Recommendations
The committee is reviewing project recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year Tap Tax allocations to fund local parks, trails, and open space improvements.
Mayflower Views Residential Development
Heber City is getting a new luxury development called 'The Slope,' which is set to shake up the local housing market and change the town's vibe. It’s a major project that could put a serious strain on our current roads and infrastructure as the area grows.
Parking Violation Ordinance
Heber City is hiking parking fines to $50 to keep Main Street from turning into a gridlocked mess during the summer. The good news is that a parking ticket will no longer show up as a criminal record, as the city is downgrading these violations to simple infractions.
Animal Shelter Expansion
The shelter is looking to expand its facilities to better serve the community. They are currently working on a design plan and figuring out how to pay for it.
Animal Services Facility Expansion
Discussions centered on planning a facility expansion, including design work, RFP issuance, budget allocations, and exploring grant opportunities to fund the project.
Airport Trailer Parking Fee Structure
The airport is building a new organized parking lot for aviation trailers using recycled asphalt and proposes charging a $900 annual fee, aligning with regional tie-down rates.
Proposed Property Tax Increase
The city is considering a 5.2% tax hike to cover rising costs for city services like police, roads, and parks. This would add about $19 a year to the tax bill for an $850,000 home.
Urban Planning
Heber City is planning a major neighborhood makeover to make streets more walkable and community-friendly. Expect potential changes to your local parks and street layouts as the city shifts toward a more pedestrian-focused design.
Proposed Form Reversionary Lease Agreement
The board settled on recommending a 30-year lease term and a 5% origination fee for airport hangars to help fund required local capital improvement matches.
Airport Setback and Zone Regulations
The advisory board planned to look at changing traffic patterns for Runway 22 at the Heber Valley Airport to help manage aircraft flow and airspace safety.
Affordable Housing Development
UVU students and housing consultants presented survey data and proposals to address Heber's housing affordability gap, focusing on single-family starter homes and regional collaboration.
Wildfire Emergency
Wildfires are tearing through 70,000 acres near Heber City, forcing residents to pack up and leave their homes. It’s a volatile situation, so keep your phone handy for emergency alerts and evacuation orders.
Fireworks Safety Restrictions
Battalion Chief Troy Morgan presented extended Stage 1 firework restrictions due to extremely dry conditions, and the council emphasized public outreach and signage.
Water Restrictions Rescinded
In response to severe drought conditions and low snowpack, the council adopted Level 2 of the water shortage plan. The city will increase public outreach and encourage voluntary conservation across agricultural, municipal, and residential sectors.
Main Street Plaza Concept Design & Downtown Integration
Terracon and MHTN architects presented updated master plans for the Main Street Park plaza, featuring consolidated commercial buildings, a splash pad/ice oval, and event spaces. The council debated parking capacity, building sizes, and how to better draw event crowds into the downtown commercial core.
North Village Stormwater Master Plan & Dam Safety
City engineers revealed that proposed upstream retention and debris basins for North Village stormwater management may be classified by the state as high hazard dams. This classification significantly increases engineering requirements, construction costs, and municipal liability.
Legal Misconduct
Two former Heber City court clerks are in hot water for allegedly helping people evade ICE agents right inside the courthouse. This situation is sparking a major debate about how city employees should handle federal immigration enforcement on local property.
Pride Month recognition
Heber City is facing backlash after deciding not to officially recognize Pride Month. Residents are calling out the move as a broken promise, sparking a heated debate about how inclusive the city really is.
Airport Ground Lease Standardization
The city is reviewing airport lease terms, fees, and potential capital improvement acceleration for the 2034 Olympics to ensure the airport remains entirely self-sustaining without relying on general fund subsidies.
Springs at Coyote Ridge Phase 5 Subdivision
Thrive Development is adding 12 townhomes and two commercial lots to the Coyote Ridge area, requiring adjustments to local right-of-way easements and stormwater drainage plans.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Priorities
Staff reviewed the upcoming fiscal year's operating and capital budgets, including ongoing runway and infrastructure projects.