City moves toward architectural cohesion with design standards discussion
Eagle Mountain City is taking steps to establish a stronger visual identity through updated architectural standards for commercial and multifamily buildings.
The new guidelines, currently under development, are expected to bring a cohesive and timeless look to future development across the community.
Senior Planner Dave Stroud says the effort will help shape the city’s character for generations.
“When I started here three years ago, updating our architectural standards was already on the radar,” Stroud said. “We’re going to improve and build upon what we have and make something unique to Eagle Mountain.”
The proposed standards are being developed with the help of VCBO Architecture, a firm the City selected after a second round of requests for proposals. Eagle Mountain initially considered drafting the standards in-house but ultimately opted for outside expertise to bring in broader perspective.
“This improves our quality of life and gives the community an identity through architecture,” Stroud explained. “The goal is to create something that makes people say, ‘Hey, this is Eagle Mountain.’”
The design direction emphasizes a rustic, yet refined Western aesthetic, leaning into Eagle Mountain’s roots and natural surroundings. Stroud said residents can expect architectural features such as brick facades and wood accents—elements that evoke a traditional, western feel while offering durability and visual appeal.
“We want a timeless look,” said Stroud. “Brick and wood have that lasting quality. You’ll see wood used more as an accent, something to warm up the design without overpowering it. Some towns in the Western U.S. do this really well, and we want to bring that charm here in our own way.”
While the exact styles are still being finalized, the updated standards are expected to include design requirements for facades, rooflines, window treatments, and materials that create visual interest and reinforce a sense of place.
The standards will apply citywide to commercial and multifamily buildings, with even more refined guidelines in areas like the future downtown, where the City aims to create its most walkable and architecturally distinctive district.
“Our downtown standards will be the strictest,” said Stroud. “We want that area to feel quaint, charming, and traditional—somewhere people want to gather.”
VCBO will incorporate feedback from a recent joint work session with the City Council and Planning Commission, and deliver a final draft of the design standards in the coming months. The proposal will then go before the Planning Commission and City Council for approval, including a public hearing where residents can offer input.
“If the Council adopts the standards, they’ll go into effect and guide new development moving forward,” Stroud said. “From there, it’s up to the private sector. When a developer submits a new application, they’ll have to meet these standards.”
The new design code aims to elevate the look and feel of Eagle Mountain’s growing business and residential districts without losing the community’s unique character. For residents, it means a future with more thoughtfully designed neighborhoods and commercial spaces that reflect the values and identity of the city.