The new zone is meant to preserve public land for future schools and parks. It also appeared to pre-empt the Alpine School District from trying to sell off its land without going through the Orem Planning Commission and council.

The vote was 6-1 in favor of the zone change, which also took regular homes out of the zone use. Council member Tom Macdonald was the lone no vote, citing a lack of communication and corroboration with the school district before sending out public notices of the intended changes.

Council members said they were concerned for future growth and land needs as Orem could see private and charter schools coming to the city, particularly after the legislature granted $8,000 to each student no matter what type of school they attend be it public, private, charter or home school, according to Ryan Clark, assistant city manager.

In a memorandum from the law firm of Lewis, Young, Robertson and Burningham Inc. — who consults with Orem — they indicate that preserving land for public use, multi-generational living, housing turnover as population ages, increased density due to new accessory dwelling units and increase in general population should all be taken into consideration.

Mario Ruiz, Daily Herald file photo

“There is certainly no guarantee that the current status quo will continue,” the memorandum reads. “Additionally, the city nor the school district has had time to evaluate the impacts and unintended consequences on student populations and community characteristics from schools that have been closed or that are evaluated for closure. … This includes the potential need for additional public lands especially in an area with limited developable land remaining for public schools as demographics shift.”

Approximately 90% of Orem’s land is already built out.

During the public hearing, the council was asked if they were rezoning so ASD property can be sold at a lower price. But it was indicated the appraised value of Hillcrest Elementary is what the city paid when it closed, as would be the case with other schools. By state law, the city has the first right to buy any school property.

Orem resident Abe Sanderson said he felt it was, “a solution looking for a problem if the proposal limited control of school properties through zoning laws” while Collin Sanderson, a student, said the council was “doing more damage than good.”

Resident opinions were split, though, with Karen Adamson saying the change is “something that is long overdue.”

Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo

Council member Terry Peterson argued that ASD has closed Hillcrest and Geneva Elementary schools and Polaris High School without money coming back to Orem schools .

“I think we can do more working together,” Council member Jeff Lambson said. “A lot of citizens feel this is a gotcha move against ASD.”

City attorney Stephen Earl indicated that, “It would be wise to preserve the property” but added concerns of his own. “If ASD sold the property to developers it is gone forever. Where are you going to put schools if needed in the future?”

“As far as I’m concerned, ASD or no ASD this just makes common sense,” said Mayor Dave Young. “We never anticipated a school shutdown. In all this uncertainty we need to preserve our lands.”

Assistant City Manager Brenn Bybee said the city has had discussions with ASD Superintendent Shane Farnsworth and that there was no hesitation in keeping communication channels open.