American Fork council accepts two annexation petitions; resident urges saving 100-year-old willow

The American Fork City Council voted April 14 to accept two annexation petitions, bringing the Lake House parcel (about 9.153 acres near 1300 South and 100 West) and the Willow Tree Farm parcel (about 11.13 acres near 1300 South and 100 East) into the city’s annexation process.

Patrick, a city planner, described the Lake House petition as a single parcel that will return with a draft annexation agreement and any required documentation; staff estimated the agreement would come back to the council in about two months. Councilmember John moved to accept the Lake House petition and Councilmember Holly seconded; the council recorded 'Aye' votes from councilmembers in attendance.

On the Willow Tree Farm petition, resident Mary Street said she and her family intend to remain on their land and raised a request to protect a willow tree she says is more than 100 years old. Street said she has researched the tree’s history and described efforts to coordinate with staff about preserving the tree as First East is widened in the future.

Councilmembers and staff discussed sidewalk alignment and arborist review; one councilmember noted city staff have an arborist and could design the sidewalk to protect the tree’s root zone. Councilmember Carroll moved to accept the Willow Tree Farm petition; the council voted to accept it.

Both annexation petitions were accepted as petitions (the council adopted resolutions to accept the petitions), and staff noted zoning and annexation agreements, plus detailed exhibits, will follow the planning commission process and return to council for final approvals where applicable.

No final zoning or development approvals were adopted at the meeting; the council accepted the petitions to begin the formal annexation process.