For many residents, the loss of Wilkerson Farm was never simply about one parcel of land. It represented something much larger: the disappearance of open space and community gathering places in favor of developer-driven decisions that ignored sound planning principles and overwhelming public input.

Success with the right owner

Wilkerson Farm was already serving as a vibrant community gathering place under its existing zoning. It had expanded into an agri-tainment business model, creating opportunities for education, recreation, seasonal events, and community connection for families across Utah Valley. The farm was also moving toward partnerships and opportunities that would have strengthened its long-term viability.

The farmland zone was appropriate. The use was compatible. Wilkerson Farm remained a rare reminder of Orem’s agricultural heritage and valuable open space in an increasingly urbanized city.

Under wise land-use principles, the existing zoning made sense and the property had a productive use.

Proper zoning principles were ignored

One of the foundational principles of responsible zoning is compatibility of uses. Cities are supposed to protect residents from incompatible land-use conflicts before they happen. The rezone placed housing next to industrial operations and freight-train activity — a decision that should have raised serious concerns for any City Council committed to wise planning and residents’ quality of life.

A landowner may seek to increase property value through a zone change and there is nothing wrong with that. But some properties are not suited for some uses. Under sound planning principles, the existing farm zoning provided an appropriate buffer for nearby neighborhoods. The rezone did not.

A City Council’s responsibility is to determine whether a rezone protects the surrounding area and aligns with sound planning principles — not to automatically approve every request.

The purpose of zoning is to protect communities through appropriate and compatible land-use decisions — and in the case of Wilkerson Farm, those principles were not properly applied.

The nearby parcel revealed something important

Despite hours of public testimony and overwhelming opposition from residents, the rezone was approved by a 4-3 vote. Even more troubling one year later is the evidence that another path forward existed all along.

The developer also held an option to purchase a nearby three-acre parcel connected to Wilkerson Farm operations. Yet after witnessing the extraordinary community response and recognizing the strong desire to preserve open space and agricultural land, the developer ultimately abandoned that purchase.

That decision speaks volumes.

Had the rezone been denied, it is likely the developer also would have canceled the Wilkerson Farm purchase contract. Other preservation-minded buyers could then have emerged. It was well known there was interest in preserving the property, and Utah County may have been willing to partner with a buyer and use its green-space preservation funding to help protect it.

The developer appeared to recognize the practical reality: residents clearly valued preservation over additional development, and not every remaining piece of open land needed to be developed into housing.

So residents continue to ask:

If the developer could recognize the importance of preserving open space and a community jewel, why couldn’t Orem’s elected leadership?

Why were established zoning principles seemingly pushed aside?

The ‘Bloc of Four’ vote

Those questions become even more concerning when examining the political relationships surrounding the vote.

One year ago, what many residents now refer to as the “Bloc of Four” — Councilmembers Jenn Gale, Chris Killpack, Jeff Lambson, and Tom Macdonald — voted in favor of the rezone despite significant public opposition and serious land-use concerns raised throughout the process.

At the same time, both the property owner, and UCAR — one of Utah’s most influential developer lobbying organizations — had financially supported campaigns connected to councilmembers backing the project.

Whether intentional or not, the appearance created was deeply troubling: residents spent hours pleading for preservation and wise land use, while politically connected development interests secured the outcome they wanted in the rezone.

That perception damages public trust.

The concerns raised by the Wilkerson Farm vote are no longer unique to Orem. Recent controversy surrounding the approval of a major data center project in Davis County — despite overwhelming resident opposition — reflects a growing concern across Utah: when citizens speak loudly with valid concerns, are local governments truly listening?

The real responsibility of local government

Good government is not simply about whether officials possess the legal authority to approve something. It is about whether decisions are rooted in sound judgment, proper planning principles, transparency, and the genuine representation of the community’s interests.

Too often, controversial rezones are defended with the argument that a property owner has the “right” to develop their land. Property owners certainly have the right to develop under existing zoning, but property rights do not guarantee approval of a requested zone change.

In the case of Wilkerson Farm, the answer was clear: residential housing should not be placed next to industrial uses and freight-train activity.

Had proper zoning principles been followed and the rezone denied, there is strong reason to believe the farm and open space could have been preserved.

Instead, the rezone was approved, and Orem lost something that cannot be replaced.

A warning for Orem’s future

One year later, residents are still asking difficult questions because the Wilkerson Farm vote exposed a growing concern throughout the city and Utah: that political influence and development pressure are increasingly outweighing resident voices, wise planning, and preservation of community character.

Wilkerson Farm became more than a zoning case.

It became a warning.

A warning about what happens when elected officials forget that not every possible development should be approved simply because it can be.

A warning about what happens when open space is viewed only through the lens of financial opportunity rather than community value.

And a warning about what happens when residents begin to believe their voices matter less than political relationships and developer interests.

One year later, many in Orem still remember exactly how that vote unfolded–and they have not forgotten who stood where.

Orimi Ackroyd is a long-time southwest Orem resident.