Richey elected council chair and White vice chair for 2024; Cahoon Street vacation and Chester Street rezone previewed

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Appointment

   Election of council chair for 2024

   Approved · 7-0

   Chair Choberka nominated Vice Chair Ken Richey, who was elected council chair for 2024 on a roll call vote. The recorder administered the oath of office.

   Moved by Council Member Angela Choberka, seconded by Council Member Shaun Myers. Vote: 7-0

2. Appointment

   Election of council vice chair for 2024

   Approved · 7-0

   Vice Chair Richey nominated Council Member Marcia White, who was elected vice chair for 2024 on a roll call vote and sworn in.

   Moved by Council Member Ken Richey, seconded by Council Member Dave Graf. Vote: 7-0

3. Presentation

   Ogden Downtown Alliance annual report (work session)

   Discussed

   Thomas Kiernan of the Ogden Downtown Alliance reviewed the group's mission, past-year successes and challenges and plans. Discussion covered growth of the Farmers Market, partnerships with businesses and the alliance's help in telling businesses about ordinance changes.

4. Presentation

   Fiscal Year 2022-2023 grants report (work session)

   Discussed

   Deputy Comptroller Jensen reported the city managed more than $58 million in local, state and federal grant funds in FY2022-23 and spent more than $12 million as of June 30, 2023.

5. Development

   Proposed partial vacation of Cahoon Street between F and G avenues (work session)

   Discussed · Cahoon Street between F Avenue and G Avenue

   Planning Manager Barton Brierley said the petitioners want to vacate 137.9 feet of right-of-way (9,320 square feet) and that the Planning Commission recommended denial, finding a potential for material injury to the city's ability to plan utilities. A representative of the McClary Company presented the owners' concept plan, historic vacations of other parts of the street and projected tax revenue. Council Member Graf said the city plans a 24-inch water line while the petitioners proposed 16-inch, and called the project great in concept but said staff and commission concerns needed to be reconciled. A Planning Commissioner told Council Member Hyer the commission heard some rerouting options but Cahoon Street was the preferred water-line route. Staff scheduled the public hearing for Feb. 20.

   • Applicants: Tyler Gray, Teresa McCandless and Rental Investors, LLC
   • Right-of-way: 137.9 feet long, 9,320 sq. ft.
   • Planning Commission: recommended denial

   Follow Cahoon Street partial vacation (F to G avenues) in the development tracker →

6. Zoning

   Proposed rezone of 218 Chester Street from R-1-6 to R-2S (work session)

   Discussed · 218 Chester Street

   Deputy Planning Manager Joe Simpson described a petition by Rick Southwick to rezone two parcels totaling 2.38 acres for owner-occupied townhomes; the Planning Commission recommended approval as consistent with the General Plan and Lynn Community Plan. Council questions covered differences between the zones, open space and whether owner-occupancy can be required. Developers said they aim for for-sale units under $400,000. Action was scheduled for Feb. 20.

   • Applicant: Rick Southwick
   • Acres: 2.38
   • Current zone to proposed: R-1-6 to R-2S

   Follow 218 Chester Street rezone in the development tracker →

7. Other

   2024 legislative session update (work session)

   Discussed

   Mayor Nadolski and Chief Administrative Officer Brown briefed the council on state bills including Property Rights Ombudsman amendments, limits on fees charged to households and businesses, single-user changing areas, diversity programs and securing water in drought years.

What residents said

Northern Utah Wildlife Rehabilitation Center relocationOgden Airport hangar lease disputeBrown's Ice Cream building blightStanding water on 1200 WestGroup dwelling minimum sizes

Residents asked about the planned March 7 departure of the Northern Utah Wildlife Rehabilitation Center from city land used by the Dinosaur Park, why the move is needed and what will be built. A hangar owner at Ogden Airport said his lease was terminated and he could not get a response from the city. Others raised standing water on 1200 West, the sale of the Brown's Ice Cream building and whether the new owner will meet the November 2024 renovation deadline, a minimum size in the group dwelling ordinance (the mayor said the 2,500 figure refers to lot size), website transparency and historic preservation. Mayor Nadolski said the wildlife center agreed to a six-month lease extension, that he supports ending the lease as planned but will help the center meet the March 7 deadline, and that the city will work with Marriott-Slaterville on the 1200 West water.