Summary of the April 18 Meetings

In the Work Session

Peaks Ice Arena
After Utah County sent a letter to Provo City indicating its intention to terminate the contract regarding the ice sheet, Council asked for more information on ice sheet operation and performance. Jack Drzayich, Peaks Arena Manager, explained that 63% of private ice rentals, 71% of turf rentals, and 78% of group reservations or birthday parties were from non-Provo residents. Non-Provo residents make up 80% of the polar bears hockey, 56% of the learn to skate, and 67% of the start smart/mini mites programs. Of those who are frequent users of the facility, only 12% of ice sheet users and 7% of turf users are from Provo. Utah County and Provo City equally split the subsidy for the ice sheet. The current subsidy is $337,000 (Provo's portion is $168,500). In comparison, the Kearns Olympic Oval has a $1.5 million subsidy. No decision has been made by the Mayor or Council at this time. Provo City has until May 22 to respond to the County's letter.

Zoning Compliance
Council's Zoning Committee previously presented their recommendations at a work session. The Committee then met with members of Utah Central Association of Realtors and the Utah Apartment Association to get additional feedback. The final recommendations, consolidated into seven goals with legislative and administrative action steps, were presented to Council as the Zoning Compliance and Strategic Plan. Council members voted unanimously to adopt the plan as the intent of the Council regarding zoning compliance and strategic planning.


The Council also:

• Heard an update from the applicant for a proposed ordinance amending Provo City Code to allow apartment units and change various requirements in the PRO-R22 zone in the Riverbottoms Neighborhood.
• Discussed an ordinance amending Provo City Code to change yard setback requirements in the one-family residential zone. Additional information was requested and this item was continued to the May 2 meeting.
• Discussed a proposed joint resolution with Orem City opposing the proposed elimination and further reductions in funding to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment partnership programs.
• Heard another in a series of presentations from Provo City's Water Division, including the history of Provo's water system and requirements for water treatment.
• Heard a presentation from UTA and their consultant, Zions Bank Public Finance, on an economic study of property within half mile of the bus rapid transit (BRT) line.
• Heard a presentation from a BYU student group that did research and proposed a possible appendix to the Joaquin Neighborhood Plan. The Joaquin Neighborhood will gather additional feedback and formally submit it through the General Plan Amendment process when ready.

In the Formal Meeting

Minimum Dwelling Unit Sizes
For several weeks now Council has been discussing a proposed amendment that would adopt minimum dwelling unit sizes in the General Downtown (DT1), Downtown Core (DT2), and Interim Trasit Oriented Development (ITOD) zones.The DT1 and DT2 zones originally had a minimum average unit size of 800 square feet. This square footage requirement was later removed from Provo City Code at the request of a developer in the downtown area. Since that time, five projects have been initiated or completed in the downtown zones. An increase in development requests has come with average unit sizes decreasing. This was also an initiative of the Council's Ad Hoc Housing Committee as they wish to disperse affordable housing, rather than continue to concentrate it in or near the Franklin and Franklin South Neighborhoods. After some discussion of what the minimum sizes should be, Council passed the ordinance amendment establishing a minimum residential unit size of 500 square feet and a minimum average residential unit size of 800 square feet in the DT1, DT2, and ITOD Zones (does not apply to institutional housing units like elderly housing, assisted living facilities, etc.).

The Council also:

• Honored employees selected as Employee of the Year for 2016, Employee of the Month January 2017, Employee of the Month February 2017, and Employee of the Month March 2017.
• Passed a resolution consenting to the appointment of Amanda Ercanbrack as city recorder.
• Continued indefinitely a joint resolution opposing the proposed elimination and further reductions in funding to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment partnership programs.
• Passed a resolution appropriating funds for construction on Stadium Avenue.
• Passed a resolution appropriating funds for snow removal overtime and costs associated with snow removal.
• Passed a resolution approving the Wastewater Self-Assessment in accordance with the Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.
• Continued to the May 16 Council meeting a proposed ordinance amending Provo City Code to allow apartment units and change various requirements in the PRO-R22 zone in the Riverbottoms Neighborhood. This will allow the neighborhood to hold a meeting to review the most recent changes by the applicant.
• Continued to the May 2 Council meeting an ordinance amending Provo City Code to change yard requirements in the one-family residential zone.

This is a general summary of the Council's meetings. For a more detailed agenda and minutes, please visit our public documents site: http://publicdocuments.provo.org/sirepub/meet.aspx
Video recordings: Work Meeting and Council Meeting.

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