Santaquin — City staff reported Sept. 2 that residential building permits are slightly ahead of last year and updated the council on several planned and active development projects, including a preliminary plan for Apple Grove Apartments and commercial activity in the city’s industrial park.

Staff said the city is tracking 199 residential dwelling units for the current calendar year, compared with 182 at the same point a year earlier. For the new fiscal year, building permits total 39 residential units so far. "We're up to a 199, residential dwelling units," staff member Jason told the council during his report.

Jason and other staff described Apple Grove Apartments as a planned five-building apartment complex within the Orchards master plan on the town’s north side near the water reclamation facility and public works building; the plan includes apartment buildings sited centrally among existing townhomes. The council was told the Apple Grove project represents one of the later phases of the Orchards development.

Council members also asked about how multifamily units are counted for reporting. Jason explained that the city reports "residential dwelling units" and counts each unit separately for the statistic. When a council member asked if a 60-unit apartment building would count as 60, staff replied that the report lists "60 doors" and each unit is counted individually.

Commercial activity noted to the council included a new commercial business license for Les Schwab Tire Centers (reported in the packet as "Lehi Schwab") and a home-occupation electrician license. Norm, a staff member, also told the council the Les Schwab location will have a soft opening the day after the meeting with a tentative grand-opening ribbon cutting on Sept. 19.

Separately, the council heard that the industrial park asphalt work is largely complete and multiple site-plan approvals are in place or in process for new businesses. Staff said several building permits are currently being processed where site plans are approved.

No formal land-use approvals or final plats were voted on during the Sept. 2 meeting; staff indicated some items such as the Apple Grove preliminary plan and general plan amendments will appear on upcoming agendas and at planning commission public hearings.