Neighborhood Districts

Neighborhood District 4 Meeting Minutes – March 5, 2025 Meeting Attendance: 60 (44 in person, 16 on Zoom) Provo City Councilors in Attendance: Travis Hoban, District 4 Introduction of Neighborhood District 4 Executive Board Members Current District 4 Vice Chair Beth Hedengren (Grandview South) welcomed everyone to the meeting. She introduced the new and existing executive board members: ● Jocelyn Bracken (new) - representing North Park ● Steven Burton (new) - representing Grandview North ● Mel Smith - representing Grandview North ● Kristen Kramer (new) - representing River Grove ● Melanie Epling (new) - representing Grandview South ● David Alderks (new) - representing Carterville ● Brent Hall - representing River Grove ● (Eric Chase later joined the meeting on Zoom – representing North Park) ● (Sarah Asay (not present) - representing Carterville) Beth also recognized Rachel, the city representative who works with the board. She announced that instead of voting for leadership positions, the board had decided among themselves, subject to approval: ● Eric Chase and Beth Hedengren as co-chairs ● David Alderks as vice chair ● Kristen Cramer as vice chair ● Steven Burton as secretary Beth asked for a show of hands to approve these leadership positions, which was given. Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Program and Lions Park Hillside Cleanup Activity scheduled for June 7 Fire Captain Jeanie Atherton presented on the Wildland Urban Interface program and the Lions Park Hillside Cleanup activity. She explained that the WUI refers to areas where undeveloped property meets developed property, creating fire risks. She showed examples of WUI areas in Provo, including behind Timpview High School and Lions Park. Atherton discussed the importance of defensible space in protecting homes and firefighters. Defensible space is a buffer between your structure and the surrounding area to slow the advance of wildfires and make it safer for firefighters. She played a video demonstrating how wildfires can spread through neighborhoods via embers, emphasizing the need for community-wide preparation. Atherton then highlighted the successful cleanup project at Lions Park from August 2023. With 156 volunteers contributing over 300 hours, they removed 7-8 dumpsters of debris from the hillside. She showed before and after photos and video of the improved visibility on the hill after clearing. Atherton encouraged residents to sign up for emergency alerts and offered free home assessments to improve fire safety. She announced the next Lions Park cleanup would be on June 7, 2025. Update on the 820 North Bridge Reconstruction David Michelsen from Provo City Engineering provided an update on the 820 North bridge replacement project: ● Design is currently at 90% and expected to be complete in about a month ● Construction likely to start June/July 2025 ● Environmental permitting process with Corps of Engineers is causing some delays ● Full bridge closure expected during construction ● Detour route will direct traffic to 500 North via 5th West and Independence Avenue  ● Project updates will be posted at provoriverbridge.com Michelsen said they would work closely with surrounding neighborhoods during construction and welcomed any questions or concerns. Plans for Provo River Trail along Moon River Drive and the south side of Grandview Hill John Bunderson from Provo Parks and Recreation presented plans for Provo River Trail improvements: ● MAG grant funding received for upgrades from Exchange Park to University Parkway ● Improvements will include wider trail, improved lighting, and better undercrossings at Columbia Lane and State Street ● Design is complete, working on property acquisitions ● Construction likely to begin winter 2025/2026 ● Existing pedestrian bridge at Moon River to remain, but east side trail to be removed ● Trail to be relocated to widened west bank ● Connection planned to 300 West bike lanes ● No major renovation plans for South Grandview Hillside, but irrigation system was updated last summer Bunderson noted they are coordinating with nearby apartments and looking forward to connecting the improved trail sections. Proposed zone change from RC (Residential Conservation) to CR (Campus Residential) to develop an 8- unit apartment building at 71 West 880 North in the North Park Neighborhood Terry Cirac presented a proposal to change zoning from Residential Conservation to Campus Residential at 71 West 880 North: ● Plan to demolish existing house and build 8-unit apartment complex ● 6 one-bedroom and 2 two-bedroom units ● Surrounding area already has apartment complexes ● Working with local architect and engineer on design ● Brick and lap siding exterior with shingle accents ● Extensive cleanup of property already completed Proposed zone change from MP (Manufacturing Park) to LDR (Low Density Residential) to build a six- townhome development at 1200 North Independence Ave in the Grandview South Neighborhood Brandon Mills presented a proposal to change zoning from Manufacturing Park to Low Density Residential at 1200 North Independence Ave: ● Plan to build 6 townhome units ● Each unit to be 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, averaging 1,650 sq ft ● 24 total parking spaces (4 per unit) ● Would extend Independence Avenue slightly north ● Plans to leave undisturbed natural landscaping on upper portion of property ● Developers would be responsible for street improvements and utilities Mills answered questions about overparking, distance from the freeway, and sound mitigation strategies. 1750 West Traffic Study Results Rachel Breen presented traffic study results for 1750 West on behalf of Traffic Manager Vern Keeslar: ● Study conducted January-February 2025 ● Speed limit is 25 mph, average speeds: 29-31 mph northbound, 31-36 mph southbound ● Highest recorded speeds: 40-50 mph range ● Very low traffic volume (28 vehicles per hour both directions)  ● Results do not warrant changes beyond replacing a missing speed limit sign ● Information provided to police for enforcement Neighborhood District 4 Executive Board Member Report Board members reported on various projects and initiatives: ● Protected left turn (green arrow) installed at[Grandview Lane/1720 North and State Street after community safety concerns - it’s in effect most busy hours - other hours it reverts to a blinking yellow arrow ● Enigma event center permit for Fuego Fridays was revoked by Provo City due to excessive criminal activity requiring police response ● Rotary Park tree replacement and improvement ideas being gathered - the park was recently renovated, so it will need to wait its turn as other city parks are renovated, but we’d like to get additional renovation plans onto the city parks’ master plan for next time ● Lions Park Hillside cleanup planned for June 7, 2025 - sign-up sheet was passed around ● "Light the Hill" holiday display planning underway - sign-up sheet was passed around Matching Grant Proposals Options The board discussed potential uses for the $7,500 matching grant from the city - votes were taken from those present and on Zoom - each person was allowed to vote multiple times: ● "Your Speed Is" signs (most popular option) = 25 votes ○ 500 N and 1460 N and 1700 N and Carterville Road were all discussed, although Provo City may already be planning something for near Westridge Elementary on 1460 N ● Improvements to the Moon River Drive section of Provo River Trail and safe access to the Provo River from Macey’s - no votes taken because the city is already working on this area ● Chess table at North Park = 1 vote ● Spotlight on Grandview Hill sign - light has been frequently stolen and is relatively inexpensive so no votes taken ● ADA drinking fountain at Lions Park = 9 votes ● Wheelchair accessibility improvements at Lions Park = 18 votes ● Swings at Carterville Park (though cost may be prohibitive) = 12 votes ● Welcome sign for Grandview neighborhood at entrances other than the south one which already has a welcome sign - this idea was not fleshed out enough so no votes were taken The board will compile proposals based on community feedback. Public Comment Several residents provided comments and suggestions: ● Information shared about free "Property Watch" service from county recorder's office - it’s a county service where you will be notified by email if anyone tries to change the deed to your property ● Request for crosswalks and sidewalk repairs on 300 West between 1200 N and 1500 N ● Announcement of community garden cleanup on March 29th from 9-11 AM - tools provided - muffins and juice as well - 811 N 600 W in Provo ● Concerns about overgrown brush fire hazards on southeast side of Grandview Hill, south of Lions Park Adjournment Beth thanked everyone for attending and emphasized the importance of community involvement. The meeting was then adjourned. Meeting YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vk1WLYz7eQ&list=PLkFpcBv4i9_DBfNYeIYQqZitdiWSXdX-4&index=1