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Why Vote "Against" the Rezone?

The Voice of the People Matters

Residents overwhelmingly opposed this rezone and hundreds attended multiple meetings. City councilors MacDonald, Killpack, Gale, and Lambson ignored the voice of their constituents and recommendations of Planning Commission & Utah Department of Agriculture in favor of private interests. City councilors are not elected to protect profits. They are elected to protect the public good.

View the Petition
Respect the Constitution

Property rights do not guarantee a right to upzone for profit. Through the "police power" of states granted by the U.S. Constitution, land use authority is delegated to local government; not to individual owners or developers. Buying land as an investment is not a right, but a risk. To change local laws, any applicant carries the burden of proof that their change is good for the area.

VIDEO: Land Use Authority
Common Sense Planning

This land currently acts as a strategic buffer zone to protect families from the noise, traffic, and danger of heavy industrial. Transition zones are a proven and rational planning principle to prevent incompatible land uses and improve our quality of life.

PDF: American Planning Association Report
UNFIT FOR FAMILY CITY USA

This location is inappropriate, inhospitable, and dangerous for family homes. The FrontRunner train runs every 30 minutes mere feet away from what would be the backyard of 16 of the planned 53 homes.

Video: Street View of the Area

Not Solving The Housing Crisis

The housing crisis we are facing in Utah's fast-growing areas is related to affordability, not availability. There are many homes available but simply out of range of the young families needing homes. According to the developer in neighborhood meetings, these homes would be priced in the range of $700,000 - $900,000. This is not affordable for first-time homes buyers who are the ones caught between a rock and a hard place.

ARTICLE: How Utah Ranks for Starter Homes
Fair & Ethical Way Out

There was no public listing, no for sale signs posted, no opportunity for the existing business to continue. As stated by the developer in public meetings, they were asked by the owner to come take on this project. We had hoped for the first opportunity, especially after working together for the last 10 years. Yes, the owner decided to move on, but there are several ways the landowner can be paid out without destroying the farmland. This way is just the easiest and quickest.

PDF: Dive Into The History
PRESERVATION of valuable Soils

This land is uniquely equipped for the purposes of agriculture, recreation, and environmental protection which is what city code defines as open space. The unique sandy-loam soil is irreplaceable, but maybe more important is that we need open spaces as a break from concrete, offices, congestion, and hastiness.

VIDEO: Why Can't the Farm Move?
Cashing In the Future

Selling off what little fertile farmland we have left, especially with an active farm wanting to buy it and continue, is a reckless decision. One that can't be undone. It's one thing to maximize on a vacant, unused lot. But this is a place and a business that many people are affected by. There will be less and less opportunity for the future generations if we keep maximizing for today.

VIDEO: Why Mayor Voted Against Rezoning

Quick History

Wilkerson Farm was pioneered and started anew by Richard Wilkerson (Jr.) at age 23. The housing crash of 2008 opened a window of opportunity for leasing this 14-acre field field in southwest Orem. And since 2010, Wilkerson Farm has spent the last 15 years building a special & unique place for the community.

After the first attempt to development this parcel of land in 2015 failed, we believed we had a stable future here with the current owner who stepped in to buy it at that time. We had a shared mission to feed people and serve our community. All the way, we were working on growing the business's top line to a big enough scale to purchase its own land. In 2022, we signed a 5-year lease and invested heavily in infrastructure and equipment towards the part of the farm that does make money: agritourism and recreation.

But in 2023, everything changed. Bombarded by Planning Department of Orem City, we received cease-and-desist letters just before opening the seasonal fall fair. Although we addressed every concern and obtained city approval to operate, after the season we were informed the land was being sold. There was no public listing, no for sale signs posted, no chance to purchase it ourselves to continue the project. As stated by the developer in public meetings, they were asked by the owner to come take on this development opportunity. Our 5-year lease was terminated early despite recent heavy investments. It was replaced with a 6-month lease to finish the 2024 season.

Despite widespread community support, including a unanimous Planning Commission recommendation against it, the City Council voted 4–3 to approve a rezone for residential housing in May 2025. A petition with nearly 2,000 signatures and extensive public input were not enough to stop it.

Now, Orem voters have one final say—through a public referendum. We’re simply asking for a solution that allows the landowner sell and move on to other things while still preserving this land so we can continue serving our city.

PDF: Dive Deeper into the History