Notes from Planning Commission Meeting

Tonight the Planning Commission was presented with concept designs from both Blu Line group for the property in the northeast corner of our commercial area, and from Amsource who owns the property in the northwest corner. Here are some pictures of those designs.

This first one shows the concept for the entire commercial area, though the only thing that could be approved tonight is the senior living center as that is the property owned by the Smart family that is being sold. The rest of the property development will be discussed more thoroughly at a later time. Some of the biggest changes:

• The senior housing is now 3 and 4 stories high. Most of the building is four stories with only the very last units (a total of 8) in the back being 3 stories high. Overall, the estimated height of the building is 45-47 feet, which is below our design guideline of 50 feet. The presenter wasn't 100% sure of that height but that information will come to the next meeting.
• The building has been shifted so the entrance is right on Cedar Hills drive, giving a greater buffer between the building and the current homes south of the development.
• Right at the edge of the property line on the south will be garage units to create even more of a buffer between the parking lot and the current homes.
• Though it was not up for approval tonight, the new drawings show they would recommend moving the movie theater so it backs up along 9900 N. instead of backing against the existing homes, as shown in earlier drawings. They also removed one exit onto 9900 N. so there would only be one, and that would be a right turn only towards North County Blvd.

• The developer proposes that they give each of those homes on the south an extra 5 feet of yard space. The developer will deed that land to each property owner and will build a new fence. The developer has also spoken with the electric company and would remove the existing power poles in the back. To the north of that fence would be a 10 foot space that would contain landscaping and a trail that goes around the perimeter of the senior housing unit. To the north of that are the garages, then the parking lot. This drawing shows the sight line of an individual standing in the backyard of the homes just to the south of the housing development. This drawing does not show the very last units on the back would be 3 stories instead of 4.

• This shows the front of the building. They have added more brick so it comes up 3 stories on most of the building.

• This shows the northwest corner of the building, which would be retail space.

• These are the drawings Amsource presented for their corner property. America First Credit Union has expressed an interest in building there. You can see the drawings show AFCU would be on the northwest corner. They would have 5 lanes for drive thru banking. People coming through the drive thru would have the ability to turn left and go through the parking lot to get back to North County Blvd, head straight and make a right onto Cedar Hills Drive, or turn right through the parking lot to get to the street between the credit union and Harts, which would allow them to either go left into the commercial space or right onto North County Blvd.
• The two other buildings would be retail of some kind, though they don't feel either would be a sit down restaurant as there isn't enough parking on their property for that.

Top of this picture is the west part of the property, right along North County Blvd. The right side of this picture would be Cedar Hills Drive.

These initial concept designs were approved to be submitted to the City Council for the next meeting. We welcome any comments during the public comment portion of the meeting. On the Blu Line design, we will only be discussing the senior living center as that is the only thing being approved as of right now. The rest is just an idea of what it could look like. Feel free to contact me at any time with feedback.

January 21, 2014 City Council Meeting

Work Session

Discussion on Impact Fees

Zions Bank presented their findings from the impact fee study.  This was also presented at a public hearing last week. Fee study was performed by Zions and Bowen, Collins, & Associates. Value of impact fees is that needed infrastructure can be built, whereas without impact fees the infrastructure would have to be paid with property taxes, which may inhibit certain development. Process for determining impact fees includes looking at number of current users, current facilities, number of future users and future facilities, and excess capacity. Impact fees should share burden of cost on existing homeowners and future homeowners so infrastructure and/or facilities aren't being funded only by new development. Impact fees can only be used to fund items that meet existing levels of service.

Governor's office determines growth for each city. For Cedar Hills the population in 2060 is projected to be 11,900, 2023 is expected to be 10,778. Laws regarding impact fees changed in 2011 and 2013. Anticipated changes due to findings: culinary water in lower zone to decrease 13%, culinary water in lower zone to decrease 3%, sewer to increase 59%, public safety to decrease 10%, parks to decrease 60%. The total change, minus roads (which is still to be determined) is an overall decrease of 43% in upper zone and 47% in lower zone. Sewer is going up because, before the law changed, the cost of the existing sewer facilities was not included. With law change, these will now be included. This overall change reflects future spending by city for these needs.

Council Meeting

Public Comment

Nobody signed up.

Consent Agenda

The minutes from the January 7, 2014 Council meeting were approved.

City Reports

David Bunker - City will host an emergency preparedness townhall on February 13th at 7pm. This is for all residents.

CM Zappala - Utah Valley Dispatch had a meeting for all member city officials to attend regarding dispatch facility. Started with a tour of the current facility, which is in the Utah County Sheriffs office and is very small and doesn't allow for proper staffing. Looking at constructing new facility. Need 1.5 - 2 acres. Total cost is about $5.5 million, including land costs. Other cities  have looked at having their own dispatch, but expenses are much greater than contracting with Utah Valley, even with this growth. PG pays $600k to $800k per year for in-house dispatch while going with Utah Valley Dispatch would reduce their costs to around $300k. Estimated impact on Cedar Hills would be an increase of about 10-20%, depending on length of bond.

Mayor Gygi - Lone Peak Public Safety will be meeting within next 30 days and will elect new officers.

CM Rees - YCC is planning a dance at the CoRec on February 7th for kids 12-15. Cost will be $1 per person and will go towards Santa's Workshop.

CM Crawley - Parks & Trails met. Discussing Arbor Day contest, having additional Christmas lights at the roundabout, and planning to work with local congregations to identify five families who are in need of help with their yards. CM Crawley would like to look at providing gift certificates to residents in the newsletter for their free golf offered by city in order to raise awareness of this benefit.

Review/Action on Resolution Creating Cultural Arts Citizen Advisory Committee

Mayor Gygi has recommended that the City Council approve a resolution creating a Cultural Arts Citizens Advisory committee. This ad hoc committee will assist the Mayor, Council, and staff to discuss, recommend, plan, prepare and implement various Cultural Arts events and opportunities such as, but not limited to, summer concert series, community cultural gatherings, art exhibitions, talent showcase events, plays, etc.  The committee will be voluntary and will consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, five to seven regular members, with City staff and City Council representation. Unanimously approved.

Review/Action on Ordinance Dissolving Traffic Safety & Livability Oversight Committee

This committee was created when WalMart was approved in order to make sure resident concerns with regards to traffic safety were addressed. Staff recommends dissolving the Traffic Safety and Livability Oversight Committee as they have not met since November 2010. The issues this committee would look at overlap with Planning Commission and City Council. Along with the dissolution, staff recommends removing the criteria forming the committee from the City Code, Section2 Boards, Commissions & Committees, Chapter 4-Traffic Safety and Livability Oversight Committee. Unanimously approved.       

January 7, 2014 City Council Meeting

Work Session

Swearing in ceremony for Mayor Gygi, CM Geddes, Crawley, and Zappala.

Council Meeting

Public Comment

Nobody signed up.

Consent Agenda

The minutes from the December 3, 2013 Council meeting were approved.

Appointments to the Planning Commission were approved. Glenn Dodge and Donald Steele will serve through December 31, 2016. Bradley Weber will fill a vacancy and fulfill a one year term through December 31, 2014. Alternate members are Jeff Dodge, John Dredge, and LoriAnne Spear and will serve through December 3, 2014.

City Reports

David Bunker - Jr Jazz is up and going with several participants. February 13th we will have our second Emergency Preparedness town hall meeting for residents.

CM Zappala - Utah Valley Dispatch is having a special meeting on January 16th in Spanish Fork to discuss the findings regarding a new facility they would like to build. Presentation of recommendations will be made to Utah County mayors and councils and we are all invited to attend.

Mayor Gygi - Discussing with UDOT the issues with Canyon Road. UDOT would like Cedar Hills and PG to take ownership of this road. UDOT has $4.4 million they are willing to give to Cedar Hills and PG for improvements but cities have estimated it will take about $10 million for repairs. Meeting with MAG to discuss other ways to receive funding that would be needed if we took on this road. Discussions continue to occur.

CM Rees - Attended YCC meeting today. They are working on scheduling some community events over the next few months. Discussing a Valentines Dance for 12-15 year olds and a Dodgeball tournament citywide. They are discussing options now.

CM Augustus - No updates.

Approval of Mayor Pro Tempore

Each year a new mayor pro tempore is appointed to fulfill the duties of the mayor in his absence, disability, or refusal to act. The rotation is based upon the number of votes received. I served last year and this year CM Augustus will be serving as mayor pro tempore. This was approved.

Setting Time and Place for 2014 Council Meetings

The Council has traditionally met the first and third Tuesdays of each month; however, CM Zappala has asked about the possibility to changing to a different day of the week. After discussion it was determined to keep the same schedule.

Assignment of Council and Staff to Boards or Committees

The Mayor has the ability to appoint members of the Council to serve on boards or to fulfill some administrative duties. The proposed appointments are as follows:

CM Augustus - Board of Adjustment, North Pointe Solid Waste, Finance Committee

CM Crawley - Finance Committee, Parks, Trails, Beautification and Recreation Committee

CM Geddes - Economic Development, Planning Commission, Celebrations/Events

CM Rees - Celebrations/Events, Communications, Youth City Council

CM Zappala - Utah Valley Dispatch, Lone Peak Public Safety, Emergency Preparedness

A few changes were made. Anji Branch was removed from the Family Festival committee at her request. CM Augustus requested the following changes and they were made: the Cultural Arts Committee was removed until formally created; "Budget", "Employees", and "Council" were removed from the description of mayoral duties as those items are already covered by ordinance. CM Augustus expressed some concern with being able to serve on the Finance Committee as their meeting schedule may conflict with his work schedule. Mayor Gygi is keeping appointments as is and will see if there is a better meeting time to work with CM Augustus’ schedule.

Approved 4-1 with CM Augustus voting nay.

Review/Action of Portable Utility Sheds

Planning Commission has reviewed the ordinance regarding sheds. Currently we have codes regarding sheds that are considered portable, meaning they are under 120 square feet, they can be built in a setback and can be easily moved. Sheds over 200 square feet are considered accessory buildings as they need footings, inspections and permits. However, our code does not address sheds from 120’-200’ SF. The proposed changes include the following:

Portable Utility Sheds:

·         No portion of the shed’s structure is permitted to cross the property line or to drain onto a neighboring property.

·         Where the property is located on a corner lot, the portable utility shed may be located within the optional enclosure area.

·         Portable sheds will be limited to 120 sq ft floor area, maximum eave height of 10’ from the finished floor surface to the bottom edge of the main roof eave, a roof pitch not to exceed 8/12, and will not have a traditional type footing or foundation and will be built upon a hard surface.

Utility Shed:

·         No portion of the shed’s structure is permitted to cross the property line or to drain onto a neighboring property.

·         Utility sheds may be located on the rear or side lot area, no shed over 120 sq ft may be built in a setback area.

·         Utility sheds will be limited to 200 sq ft floor area, maximum eave height of 10’ from the finished floor surface to the bottom edge of the main roof eave, a roof pitch not to exceed 8/12, and will not have a traditional type footing or foundation and will be built upon a hard surface.

Approved 4-0. CM Augustus abstained from voting as he is building a shed and this affects him.

Review/Action on Ordinance Amending Employee Titles

Staff recommends the council approve the proposed ordinance amending Title 1, Chapter 6, changing the text to provide for appointment of appointed officers pursuant to state code provisions, and updating descriptions of office created. The existing titles no longer match what is in the ordinance and this will correct that. These updated titles include finance director, public works director/chief building official, assistant city manager/city planner/zoning administrator, and city manager/city engineer/city treasurer. Also, the code would change that the Council would only need to reappoint the city recorder and treasurer every other year instead of all executive staff, as that is all that is required by State code. All department heads serve at the will of the Mayor and Council and may be appointed or re-appointed at any time. Unanimously approved.

Discussion on Branding Strategy

Updated Council on branding goals and what has happened so far. Going through the survey results, focus is on bringing more recognition to our city to those who do not know who Cedar Hills, to attract and retain residents, build our commercial area, and increase revenue through recreation and events. This will include updating the website with a one page infographic, which will serve as our landing page for those interested in getting detailed information about the city all in one location, meeting with employers in northern Utah County, meeting and maintaining relationships with potential commercial businesses, showing through video and pictures who and what Cedar Hills is.  Also, the survey shows that over 60% of residents stated their preferred choice for city communication is via email so we need to work to collect email addresses and providing pertinent and timely information via email. We have already implemented some of the action items, such as use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), monthly City Connections video, and resident interviews. Big things to work on this year include the city infographic, collecting emails from residents who would like to receive updates from the city, and implementing the resident selected tagline. This will be topic for discussion at our next work session.