The decision came in a trio of 5-2 votes against recommendation and approval following a five-hour discussion between commissioners, city staff, the applicant and a public comment period.

The Provo City Council will make the final decision on the general plan and zone map amendments. If zoning is approved, the council can move forward with the project plan and would not need to return to the concept plan stage, according to Provo Development Services Director Bill Peperone.

A developer is applying to build a 20,000-seat amphitheater and an adjoining hotel, restaurant and associated retail uses on 100.7 acres of land at the base of Provo Canyon. Project organizers, who include Donny and David Osmond, pitched it as a world-class entertainment venue that would attract top performers.

The proposal has received strong pushback from many Provo residents who cite traffic, parking and environmental concerns with building a 20,000-seat venue next to U.S. 189 in the canyon.

The project would be built on 34.23 acres of an existing quarry currently owned by the Provo Canyon Mining Company, and 66.47 acres currently owned by Provo City.

Developers are requesting a general plan amendment to commercial land use, a zone map amendment to a regional shopping center zone and a concept plan approval to allow for entertainment and hospitality uses. 

Peperone said at Wednesday’s meeting that the development agreement would allow up to 20,000 seats in the amphitheater and up to 8,000 parking spaces, and require a minimum number of spaces for structured parking and a maximum acreage for surface parking. A minimum number of acres would also be required to be placed in a conservation easement.

The council chambers at city hall were full of people, the majority of whom were against the project. Five of the commissioners were ultimately against the proposal, also. 

“I honestly can’t even imagine what an expansive parking lot with 2,000 more stalls than the airport would look like,” Lisa Jensen said. “So logistically I’m having a hard time seeing this ever work in a size since.”

“None of this strikes me as minimal development,” added Joel Temple. “This sends a signal that our canyons are up for sale and our public lands are up for development, and I’m not comfortable with that in any form, certainly not one with this level of traffic and other negative impacts to our community.”

Two planning commissioners recommended approval for the project, including Jon Lyons. 

“I think adding something like this would really help us draw in that capital investment and be a big boom,” Lyons said. “I think the economic impact is humungous for this.”

Zone change requests will go before the city council on July 14.