Planning commission backs amendment to Orem West 4 development agreement to add flexibility for tenants and truck access

The Lindon City Planning Commission on a unanimous voice vote recommended approval of Resolution 2024-35-R to amend the Orem West 4 development agreement, approving updated building renderings and a revised site plan that shifts some truck docks to the north side and allows for flexible tenant layouts.

The change is intended to make the approximately 58,000–60,000 square-foot building easier to split for multiple tenants and to preserve plumbing and an oversized grease separator to support a future restaurant use. Planning staff and the applicant said the amendment will replace the development-agreement exhibits with the new elevations and site plan but keep the previously approved materials, colors and the grease-trap requirement.

Why it matters: The commission’s recommendation clears the way for city council consideration and preserves options for retail or industrial tenants by adding truck access and revised storefront design. Commission members said the amendment "future-proofs" the building by allowing for multiple users and safer truck movements while directing staff to nail down facade details so the project still meets the city’s design intent.

Staff presentation and changes Michael Lawrence, city planning staff, said the council and planning commission had originally approved a rezoning and a development agreement for the site earlier in the year and that the agreement included three principal requirements: building materials and renderings, the site plan and a requirement that a sufficient grease trap be installed to support a potential restaurant use. Lawrence told commissioners the applicant had been approved for a roughly 58,000-square-foot building and was now proposing updated elevations and a revised site plan.

Applicant Mark Weldon described the proposed changes as driven by market feedback and tenant needs. Weldon said the revision reduces truck docks on the west side from four to three and adds docks on the north side so the building can be split if needed. "If you divide it in half, 30,000 feet could have their 3 trucks. Or you could divide it in 3 and do something very unique," he said. Weldon also said the update raises the building height slightly, alters some pop-out elements on the facade and will use higher-end glass and powder-coated extrusions.

Tenant perspective and local concerns Joseph Ogden, CEO of Americana Art Enterprises (Boardwalk Puzzles), told the commission his company manufactures puzzles in Lindon and is exploring the site for expanded retail, event space and manufacturing. Ogden said he prefers a south-facing storefront and that his operations require multiple truck bays and a ramp. "We would need at least 4 truck bays and 1 ramp," he told the commission, adding that events bring hundreds of visitors and that parking and accessibility matter for evening and weekend activities.

Several speakers—including Weldon and Ogden—also raised an ongoing odor and operational problem at the nearby Timpanogos Sewer District facility. Weldon said the issue had driven away some potential retail tenants and described prolonged community frustration with odors and temporary stockpiling of material at the treatment site. Ogden called the situation "a health hazard and it is very unpleasant," and both asked the commission and the city to continue pressing the district and county on remediation.

Design details and staff conditions Planning staff said the amendment would substitute the new site-plan and elevation exhibits into the development agreement while retaining the previously approved material palette and the required grease separator. Staff noted the site changes maintain required parking counts by reconfiguring landscape islands and stalls. Commissioners expressed uncertainty about specific canopy/canopy-like elements shown in the renderings and asked staff and the applicant to provide more detail so the development agreement exhibit will be clear.

Motion and disposition A commissioner moved to recommend approval of Resolution 2024-35-R to amend the Orem West 4 development agreement "with the caveat that staff will continue to work with Mr. Weldon on a few more enhancements as the building plan comes together." A second followed, and the commission voted "Aye" with no opposition. The motion directs staff to finalize canopy and facade specifics before the item goes to the city council; city staff will carry the recommendation to the council at its next meeting.

What remains: The commission asked staff to record specific canopy/sunshade details in the exhibit language so future building-plan review matches the adopted exhibit. Staff will return final exhibit language as part of the council packet; the council will make the final decision on the development-agreement amendment.