Artificial turf in front yards (approved). With the city's approval, you can now put artificial turf in your front yard or a side yard that faces a street. Front yards still need to have living plants make up at least 50% of their landscaping, and turf doesn't count toward that. The city hasn't announced how to initiate the approval process, but I expect that will be announced at some point in the future.

Tax breaks for large employers (discussion). Economic Development Director Abby Ivory proposed a program to bring large employers to Eagle Mountain. The city would give a company back part of the extra property taxes it pays because of its new project. The company would get that money only after it meets job and investment targets. Councilmembers didn't want the program made public, saying it would reveal how much the city was willing to offer companies and weaken its bargaining position. The Council can still consider tax breaks for individual companies.

Water rights rules (discussion). Before new homes can be built, the developer has to give the city enough water rights to supply those homes. Today, developers hand over the water rights one phase at a time, when the final lot map for each phase is recorded with the county. The proposed rules would require the water rights much earlier, when the city approves the overall plan for a large development. City Attorney Marcus Draper said developers already hold approvals for about 20,000 homes and apartments in Eagle Mountain. He said most of those 20,000 homes and apartments have no water rights tied to them. The Council didn't vote on this new rule.

Golf course land for a wider Ranches Parkway (approved). The owner of The Ranches Golf Course owes the city about $896,000 in unpaid utility bills and payments remaining from the course's 2012 purchase. The city forgives that debt and takes about 3.5 acres of the course in return. Two city officials said a regional transportation board will eventually pay the city back for what the deal costs the city.

Ivory Homes' plan on Airport Road (discussion). Ivory Homes is planning to build 93 homes on lots along Airport Road on the northern side of SR 73, where a dry creek bed runs through the land. City Attorney Marcus Draper said city code keeps homes at least 75 feet from the middle of a natural creek bed, or 50 feet from its bank, whichever is greater. Ivory Homes said the creek bed rule doesn't apply to its Airport Road land. Ivory's next step is a draft contract with the city.

Meadow Ranch land (approved). A Meadow Ranch resident built a wall on city land to stop runoff from flooding his yard. The Council voted that selling the resident the strip of city land between his yard and the wall may make sense. The public pathway stays with the city. Before the Council decides whether to sell the land, residents can speak about the sale at a public hearing.

Lake Mountain Road (public comment). A resident asked why the city didn't make John Hancock Charter School finish building Lake Mountain Road along the school's land. She said the unfinished dirt section in front of the school has foot-deep water, and data center construction trucks now use the road. City Attorney Marcus Draper said state law only lets the city make a school build the road as far as the school's last driveway, even if the school's land runs farther. Councilmember Brett Wright said, "Cities are very limited in what they can require schools to do, charter or public." He said only the Utah Legislature can change that, and the city has asked it to.

Data center traffic (Mayor's report). Mayor Jared Gray said he’s working with the data centers on a bus route for their workers, with park-and-ride lots in Lehi and Bluffdale. The goal is to reduce traffic while roads in the area are under construction. He said he doesn't have an answer yet.

Wildlife corridor name (discussion). Councilmembers settled informally on the "Todd A. Black Memorial Wildlife Corridor," and a resolution is planned for November 17.

Oak Hollow and Parkway Crossroads zoning (approved). About 130 homes in Oak Hollow had zoning that no longer exists in the city’s code. So did the business lots where Pony Express Parkway meets Ranches Parkway. The Council moved both areas into zones that are in today’s code. Planning Director Brandon Larsen said the old zoning on that corner was so unclear that the city had a hard time approving an ordinary business there. He said the new zone should allow more kinds of businesses on the corner. City planner Mickie Mills said the change doesn’t affect what Oak Hollow homeowners can build.

UCCU drive-up office (approved). The Council approved UCCU’s request for 8.5-foot-wide drive-up lanes instead of the 10-foot width required by city code.

Harmony townhomes (discussion). Flagship Homes wants to build 68 townhomes south of The Cove at Harmony, but city code requires townhomes to face a street. Councilmembers suggested facing the townhomes inward instead, and city staff and the builder will meet again to discuss this further.

Speed study recommendations (City Council, discussion only). The city's consultant now recommends a walking path along the edge of Ranch Road, Valley Drive, Cedar Drive, Half Mile Road and Canyon Wash Drive. The path would be separated from cars by a median, a curb or posts. In October, the consultant proposed speed cushions on most of these streets instead. Speed cushions are raised sections of road with gaps for wide vehicles. Most of these roads are posted at 25 mph. On each one, the study found that about 15% of drivers go faster than 36 mph. The consultant says it's hard to get drivers down to 25 on these roads because of how the roads are built. It recommends the Council choose a limit of 25 or 30 mph. Golden Eagle Road, by Brookhaven Elementary, is first on the consultant's list because of the school zone and heavier traffic. There, the consultant recommends adding a second school zone with a crosswalk at Silver Creek Way. Everything on the consultant's list of 12 locations would cost about $1.6 million to $2.3 million.

A plan for up to 9,180 homes and apartments (Planning Commission, feedback only). A developer wants to build on land south of Eagle Mountain Boulevard and east of Eagle Heights, Parkway Fields and Scarlet Ridge. The developer calls the project “The Bench.” It covers about 1,836 acres, almost 3 square miles. This is an early, informal look at the plan, so nothing has been approved yet. City staff wrote on the plan, “This is an area planned for large residential lots,” and that the plan has too many homes for the area. City code requires a project this big to be split into pieces of 200 acres or less. Staff wants the developer to follow that rule so each piece gets built in a reasonable time. On Tuesday, commissioners give the developer feedback before it applies formally. Colten’s note: I’ll be watching this discussion closely. From what I’ve seen, the City Council hasn’t shown much interest in approving more homes, especially with Eagle Mountain’s traffic and road construction. Last week, City Attorney Marcus Draper said developers already hold approvals for about 20,000 homes and apartments in Eagle Mountain.

Ranch House Storage (public hearing, 6:30 p.m.). A business wants to build self-storage units and RV and boat parking on about 10 acres on Pole Canyon Boulevard. The land is zoned for farming now, so the business is asking the city to allow storage there. Homes are planned on the land to the north. Under a contract with the city, the business would build the road, curb and sidewalk along Pole Canyon Boulevard. The city would pay the business back for building them bigger than the business needs. City staff recommends approval. The Planning Commission makes a recommendation Tuesday, and the City Council decides later.

Two horses in Westview Heights (public hearing, 6:30 p.m.). A homeowner is asking to keep up to two horses on a half-acre lot. The applicant says about 8 of the 49 homes in Westview Heights already keep horses. City code calls for 2,500 square feet of fenced space per horse, or 5,000 for two. The proposed corral is about 1,250 square feet. City staff recommends approval if the corral is at least 2,500 square feet and at least 5 feet from property lines. The approval would apply to this homeowner only, not to future owners. The Planning Commission votes on it Tuesday.