That's something that could change soon now that voters Tuesday nixed two initiatives that would have banned alcohol sales and Sunday business operation in the north Utah County city.

"It was a great victory for the citizens of Cedar Hills to put this [issue] to vote and for the majority to really speak out," said Charelle Bowman. "We've done our job, now we want [businesses] to do theirs."

The much-debated election was almost impossible to call until the votes were tallied, but in the end, residents voted down the bans by a healthy margin.

More than 60 percent of voters (approximately 1,400) voted no to both initiatives with 40 percent saying yes (approximately 800).

Members of the Coalition to Preserve Cedar Hills and other ban-supporters were discouraged by the vote, but promised to let the results stand.

"This vote against an alcohol ban was a vote for alcohol sales," said ban-supporter Ken Cromar. "This vote against a six-day work week was a vote in favor of Sunday shopping. We genuinely thought Cedar Hills residents wanted something better."

"The will of the people has spoken and we respect that," added coalition leader Gary Duncan. "We just look forward to moving on from this point and trying to shape the future of our city."

Cedar Hills' vote may reflect Utah County's growing diversity. Alcohol sales and Sunday business traditionally have bubbled over into public brouhahas in the heavily Mormon and conservative county.

In the mid-1990s, for example, Provo closed the city swimming pool on Sundays out of deference to community religious standards. Beer sales and Sunday commerce also are off limits in Highland, except for golfers at the Alpine Country Club.

In recent years, however, the laws have loosened in some cities. Beer is now sold on Sundays in Spanish Fork, Lehi and Santaquin. In nearby Draper, which straddles the boundary of Utah and Salt Lake counties, voters in 1999 overwhelmingly rejected a ballot initiative that would have barred the city from granting any more alcohol licenses.

So the outcome in Cedar Hills, carefully monitored by other Utah County

cities, might signal a shift in attitudes.

"If you don't want to shop on Sunday, or if you don't want to buy alcohol, don't do it," said resident Brandon Hall after he voted "no" on the two initiatives.

After a few weeks of political storming, Tuesday was relatively quiet in Cedar Hills. Residents went to and from Cedar Ridge Elementary School, cast their vote, and went back to their day.

The only real storming came from the dark cloud cover. It could be a good sign for many residents who want to see their divided town mend.

"I just wish we could turn back time so we could have that peaceful community we once had," said Scott Hancock, who declined to disclose his vote.

The majority of residents did agree on the need to refinance the fledging city golf course. More than 80 percent of voters - 1,832 residents - were in favor of the refinancing proposal.

"We're just really happy to have this behind us," said Councilman Jim Perry. "And hopefully we can get together as a community and move forward in a direction that's healthy for all of us."

thollingshead@sltrib.com

Vote results

Alcohol ban

FOR: 886

AGAINST: 1,393

Sunday sales ban

FOR: 849

AGAINST: 1,427

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