Orem council candidate urges pause on high‑density rezonings, traffic fixes and protections for families

An Orem resident and candidate for City Council urged voters to pause new high‑density rezonings, optimize traffic signals and adopt stricter owner‑occupancy rules during a campaign speech, saying the city’s growth is outpacing its roads, schools and water systems.

"We need to pause all new high density rezonings and take an honest look at our infrastructure and growth strategy," the candidate said, adding that the city should "support owner occupancy rules and crack down on absentee landlords and the wave of short term rentals eroding our neighborhoods."

The candidate framed traffic and air quality as intertwined priorities. He said signal timing should be adjusted so traffic flows better and urged the city to promote remote work and support delivery programs that serve multiple households to reduce vehicle trips. "Instead of five people making five separate trips, let's support delivery programs that serve multiple households at once, cutting down on traffic and pollution," he said. He also recommended working with "regional partners to reduce traffic and strengthen enforcement on industrial polluters."

On neighborhoods, he said the goal is to preserve green spaces and single‑family streets and to resist speculative development. He proposed targeted traffic calming measures, noise ordinances and enforcement against street racing to maintain neighborhood character. "It's time to prioritize families over investors," the candidate said, calling for limits on short‑term rentals and policies favoring owner‑occupants.

The candidate also identified schools and public safety as priorities. He referenced the coming Timpanogos district and said he would "fight for the funding, the teachers, and the programs our kids deserve." He added he would "stand with our police and fire departments, giving them the tools and resources they need to keep us safe."

Speaking about his background, the candidate said he grew up in Moab, attended Weber State University and has professional experience in construction, manufacturing, logistics and regulatory affairs. He emphasized a local, grassroots campaign: "I'm not a politician. I don't have tens of thousands of dollars in donations. I'm just your neighbor," he said. The speech closed with an appeal for votes: "I humbly ask you to consider me and vote your conscience."

There were no formal motions, votes or council actions recorded in the speech; the remarks were presented as campaign positions rather than enacted policy. The candidate named specific policy steps he would pursue if elected but did not provide timelines, draft ordinances or funding sources during the remarks.