North Ogden approves $1 million in RDA money to keep Lee's grocery in the city

The vote

Lee's grocery store will stay in North Ogden with help from $1 million in redevelopment money for its move to a new building in the Barker Depot development, under an agreement the City Council approved 5-0 on Nov. 10. ^[1][2][3]

City Manager and City Attorney Jon Call told the council that $1 million in redevelopment agency money is tied to the relocation. The agreement limits that money to impact fee obligations, water, sewer, storm water, roadway and utility work, and site and fill pad preparation. ^[1][2]

Council Members Christina Watson, Chris Pulver, Tera Carney and Steve Nabor and Mayor Pro Tem Jay Dalpias, who ran the meeting, voted for the agreement in a roll call. ^[1][3]

Where the money comes from

Call said the money comes from property tax increment already paid by properties inside the city's redevelopment and community development areas, which the city pools and spends on projects that benefit those areas. The same agreement also carries $300,000 to connect the asphalt to 300 East near Cafe Rio and about $320,000 for road and sidewalk improvements on 2550. Call said those two projects are not tied to the store. ^[1][3]

The new store

Staff said Lee's had outgrown its current store, where parking is difficult. The new store would be about 48,000 square feet, with a drive-through pharmacy. Developer Ryan Forsyth said the current store is about 40,000 square feet and that the new floor plan is nearly identical to the Lee's store in Mountain Green. Call said the old building will not be torn down and will be turned into another business, though the city does not yet know what it will be. ^[1]

Forsyth told the council that Lee's lease runs out in July 2027 and the store had found a location outside the city. He said his company dropped a more profitable deal with another tenant, which had a lease ready to sign, to make room for Lee's, and that the current landlord had given the store a six-month extension. ^[1]

Faster permits

Call said the agreement lets the city accept a building permit and issue a foundation permit before the subdivision is recorded with the county, which he said the city does not usually do, so construction can start in January and Lee's can move before the end of 2027. He said it essentially approves the site plan, landscaping and signs shown in its exhibits, with minor changes still expected, and lets the building face east toward Washington Boulevard. Call said he expects the planning commission will still do a full site plan review, measured against the agreement rather than city code. ^[1]