UPDATED 6/10/25: A citizen-led public referendum was launched to overturn the city council's narrowly passed (4 to 3) decision to rezone. We have the chance to get it to the next election ballot if we can collect 7,500 PHSICAL, VERIFED signatures of OREM residents in the next 30 days. 

• If you live in Orem, SIGN the referendum
• If you don't live in Orem, please help us COLLECT signatures. 

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The story at the heart of this petition is one of a cherished local farm that has been responsibly leasing an 14-acre open space parcel in our beloved city of Orem for the past 15 years. It has not only been a place of enjoyable memories and a much-needed break from urban life to our residents but also an invaluable resource to our community’s long term food security. The landowner has made the difficult decision to sell—and with soaring offers from developers, the farm simply can't compete. While we had hoped for a path toward preservation through a conservation easement, the landowner has chosen not to pursue that option. Now, this open space is under threat due to a proposal to rezone it for residential housing. 

Residential housing is undoubtedly important, yet so is conserving some our LAST open spaces. In a comprehensive report by the National Recreation and Park Association, open spaces are proven to improve our quality of life, contribute to economic growth, and facilitate environmental sustainability. Furthermore, according to the American Farmland Trust, every minute we lose approximately 3 acres of farmland to development in the US. We cannot afford to contribute to this devastating statistic.

We urge the Orem City Council to vote against the rezone and actively negotiate with the landowner to purchase the property for public use. Such a step would not only save our treasured farmland but also preserve Orem’s beauty and character. Now is the time to act and voice our commitment to sustainable urban planning. Please show your support by signing this petition. Your support CAN make a difference in preserving the land that has served our community as a farm and open space. Let us work together to ensure Orem remains a city we are all proud to call home.

If you can physically attend the city council meeting, please sign up here for email notifications. PHSYICAL PRESENCE AT THE MEETINGS IS SO CRITICAL! It's supposed to be on the agenda May 13th. Meetings are held at 6pm at the city center, south of the library. The public is invited to speak right before they cast their votes. 

WHY SHOULD OREM CITY COUNCIL CARE?

1. Public Interest: So many local citizens already utilize access to this property during seasonal events. On average, 50,000 people from as far south as Santaquin to as far north as Bountiful. Listening to community input can build trust and demonstrate that the city council is prioritizing the needs and wants of its residents.
2. Public Health and Well-Being: Access to open space is proven to improve mental health by providing areas for recreation, exercise, and stress relief. Urban parks and green spaces contribute to lower rates of depression and anxiety, while promoting health through physical activities. Open spaces often serve as green buffers between busy roads and residential areas, improving air quality by filtering pollutants and reducing noise pollution.
3. Community and Social Benefits: Open spaces provide a common area for residents to gather, socialize, and engage in outdoor activities. They are essential for fostering a sense of community, especially in urban areas where the everyday person's access to open fields and nature is limited. Preserving some of the LAST farmland in Orem helps maintain the city’s heritage and offers educational opportunities for all generations.
4. Future Generations: Preserving open spaces ensures that future generations have access to nature, recreation, and the benefits of active farmland. Once these special soil areas are developed, they are lost forever, making it difficult to restore natural areas in the future.
5. Economic Considerations: Proximity to open space often increases the value of surrounding properties. Development into residential housing might bring short-term financial benefits but could ultimately reduce the quality of life and property values in the long term. Allowing public events on the property also contributes to the local economy by attracting tourists and keeping dollars local.
6. Environmental Impact: Open spaces provide critical habitats for local wildlife and plant species which encourages biodiversity. This particular parcel is already home to wild cranes, migrating Canadian geese, and stranded deer. Open spaces also help absorb rainwater, improving water quality, and improving water quality and decreasing the burden on municipal water systems.
7. Long-Term Urban Planning and Sustainability: Prioritizing open space can help prevent unchecked urban sprawl, which strains infrastructure and diminishes the overall quality of life. Open spaces contribute to a city’s resilience by providing areas that can be used for sustainable practices (like organic farming!) which contribute to our city’s long-term sustainability.