Council approves 218 Chester Street townhome rezone 7-0, adopts group dwelling rules, and extends Cahoon Street vacation review
February 20, 2024, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Ogden Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd.
The Ogden City Council unanimously rezoned 218 Chester Street from R-1-6 to R-2S after a public hearing at which several nearby residents objected on density, traffic and parking grounds. It also adopted new group dwelling standards, reapproved a $1.4 million Synchrony Bank line of credit and voted to extend consideration of a Cahoon Street partial vacation so the petitioner and staff can negotiate water-line options.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Development
Partial vacation of Cahoon Street between F and G avenues
Continued · 7-0
After a public hearing, the council voted to extend consideration rather than act on the Planning Commission's recommendation of denial. Staff and the commission said the right-of-way is needed for a planned water line and UDOT's I-15/24th Street interchange plans are not final. Petitioner representatives said the city's position was punitive, offered an easement and proposed rerouting options. Speakers Travis Pate and Angel Castillo opposed vacating now; the owner and others said they wanted to work with the city. Council Member Hyer said he would deny if forced to act now but was willing to extend if negotiation was possible; Council Member Myers called the project great but said water infrastructure had to be accommodated. No return date was set, and affected owners will be re-noticed.
- Plan: mixed-use project, commercial below and residential above
- Current zoning: R-1-5 and C-3; a rezone would be needed later
- Planning Commission (Dec. 6, 2023): recommended denial
Zoning
Ordinance 2024-3: rezone 218 Chester Street from R-1-6 to R-2S
Approved · 7-0
The council rezoned two parcels totaling 2.38 acres for owner-occupied townhomes after a long public hearing. The developers said maximum density in R-2S would be near 40 units and their concept has 32, with a dog park, gazebo and public open space; they said the plans are conceptual and will be refined in subdivision review. Opponents cited traffic on steep, icy streets, density and three-story buildings, parking, view loss, property values, enforcing owner-occupancy and the applicant's seat on the Planning Commission; Mr. Southwick said he recused himself from commission discussion of the project. Supporters, including Vice Chair White and Council Member Graf, cited individually platted for-sale units and a need for affordable ownership housing. Council Member Choberka asked about a traffic study, which staff said can be required at site-plan stage.
- Applicant: Rick Southwick
- Acres: 2.38
- Current zone to proposed: R-1-6 to R-2S
- Concept: 32 units; R-2S height limit 2.5 stories or 35 feet
- Planning Commission: recommended approval
City code
Ordinance 2024-4: amend standards for group dwellings
Approved · 7-0
The council amended the zoning code's group dwelling chapter on a petition from Mike Bastian, updating definitions, lot area, setbacks, building orientation, landscaping, parking and open space and removing density bonuses. Lots of two to four acres need two building types and larger lots three. Angel Castillo asked the council to also allow smaller buildings on small lots; Rick Southwick supported the change.
- Applicant: Mike Bastian
Contract
Resolution 2024-1: reapprove Synchrony Bank line of credit for community development programs
Approved · 7-0
The council reapproved, on the same terms as before, a $1.4 million line of credit with Synchrony Bank that supplements Community Development Block Grant-funded housing programs. The first line was approved in 2013 and renewed every two years. In the work session Council Member Choberka raised the idea of a city revolving loan fund instead; Angel Castillo and Council Member Graf spoke in favor of exploring funding options.
- Budget$1.40 million to Synchrony Bank
City code
Short-term rental ordinance amendments (work session)
Discussed
Planning Manager Barton Brierley presented zoning text amendments on owner occupancy, parking, parties and management of vacation rentals, saying the current owner-occupancy rule is hard to enforce. The Planning Commission recommended adoption. The council chose to continue the discussion at a later work session.
Zoning
Proposed Flex Industrial zone near Ogden Airport (work session)
Discussed
Senior Planner Brandon Rypien said Asilia Investments first sought changes to the A-C Airport Commercial zone, then, after council concerns, the proposal became a new Flex Industrial zone allowing flexible commercial and industrial space, similar to M-1. The aim is to develop property south of the airport near the Kemp buildings, which would need a later rezone petition. The council asked for further discussion on March 12 before action on March 19.
- Applicant: Asilia Investments
Presentation
GOAL Foundation annual report (work session)
Discussed
GOAL Foundation Executive Director Troy Callantine reviewed the foundation's mission, past-year results and plans for the council.
Other
Update on Q Factor agreements and Brown's Ice Cream building
No action
Responding to a resident, City Attorney Gary Williams said the new owner of the Brown's Ice Cream building has said it will follow the requirements placed on the prior owner, including a certificate of occupancy by fall 2024, though the city is discussing whether an extension is appropriate. He said the city sent Q Factor a notice of default on its Exchange-area project and ownership was never conveyed to Q Factor; the 144 25th Street property is managed by a construction company whose parent is Q Factor, and a West 12th Street project is being redesigned for building code compliance.
What residents said
Traffic on steep, icy streets near Chester StreetParking for townhome projectsDensity and building heightEnforcing owner-occupancyWater line and I-15 interchange plansShort-term rental rules
Many residents spoke on 218 Chester Street (traffic, parking, density, view, owner-occupancy). Speakers also raised the Q Factor projects and the Brown's Ice Cream building, historic preservation and short-term rentals; one resident urged laws that are family friendly rather than based on worst cases.