Ogden council approves Ogden Bend zoning changes, extends Trails Network Committee and backs EMS firefighter retirement 5-0

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item W1 · Zoning

   Rezone of 4336 South 1650 West, Airport Commercial to Flex Industrial (work session)

   Discussed · 4336 South 1650 West

   Planning Director Barton Brierley said MTK Holdings, LLC petitioned to rezone 10.23 acres. The Planning Commission found it consistent with the General Plan and recommended approval on condition the applicant subdivide so the property line matches the zone boundary. Council members asked about commercial market patterns, parking and signs in the FLEX zone and a conditional overlay to address concerns from adjacent owners. Action is set for September 3.

   • Applicant: MTK Holdings, LLC
   • Acres: 10.23
   • Current zone to proposed: Airport Commercial (A-C) to Flex Industrial (FLEX)
   • Planning Commission: recommended approval with a subdivision condition

   Follow 4336 South 1650 West rezone (MTK Holdings) in the development tracker →

2. Item W2 · Other

   Council code of conduct (work session)

   Discussed

   Senior Policy Analyst Steve Burton reviewed draft options from an ad hoc committee. The council decided to consider adopting a code of conduct within its existing Rules and Norms document and suggested changes. Action is tentatively set for September 3.

3. Item W3 · Parks

   Lester Park and Lorin Farr Pool upgrades initiative (work session)

   Discussed

   Council Member Dave Graf proposed discussing using $10 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds for improvements at Lester Park and the Lorin Farr Pool.

   • Budget$10.0 million Proposed improvements at Lester Park and Lorin Farr Pool. Paid from American Rescue Plan Act funds

4. Item W4 · Contract

   Nine Rails arts programming pilot in the Adams CRA (work session)

   Discussed

   Economic Development Director Sara Meess said the administration proposes an 18-month pilot agreement with Ogden Contemporary Arts to manage arts programming beyond Dumke Arts Plaza into the Nine Rails District, for $108,000 from the Adams Community Reinvestment Area budget. Council members raised diluting increment for partner taxing entities, whether tax increment should fund arts programming, success measures, later funding and issuing a request for proposals rather than a sole-source award. The council wanted more time and a later work session.

   • Contract$108,000 to Ogden Contemporary Arts 18-month pilot to manage arts programming in the Nine Rails District. Proposed sole-source; council asked about an RFP. Paid from Adams Community Reinvestment Area budget

5. Item W5 · Public safety

   Police traffic enforcement near schools (work session)

   Discussed

   Mayor Benjamin Nadolski and Acting Police Chief Jacob Sube said traffic enforcement will increase as school resumes and that residents can lodge complaints about school-area traffic. Sube said officers are not given a citation quota and that evaluations do not prioritize one type of enforcement.

6. Item 1 · Appointment

   Ogden Trails Network Committee appointments and reappointments

   Approved · 5-0

   The council appointed Tara Warren and Jim Judeikis and reappointed Amanda Gentry, Michael Goodrick, Benni Hanna, Lavar Harris, Nic McMillan, Joseph Sanchez, Sarah Scott, Nathan Silberman, Lyndsey Sorrentino and Dan Spark.

   Moved by Council Member Richard Hyer, seconded by Council Member Shaun Myers. Vote: 5-0, all voting aye; Council Member Dave Graf and Chair Ken Richey were not present

7. Item 2 · City code

   Ordinance 2024-24: extend Ogden Trails Network Committee to April 30, 2026

   Approved · 5-0

   The ordinance extends the committee's sunset date by two years from June 30, 2024. Committee chair Michael Goodrick had presented a sunset report in the work session, and the council discussed rules for motorized vehicles on trails, grant funding and trail crossings on Mt. Ogden Golf Course.

   Moved by Council Member Richard Hyer, seconded by Council Member Shaun Myers. Vote: 5-0 on roll call; Council Member Dave Graf and Chair Ken Richey were not present

8. Item 3 · Appointment

   Christmas Village Committee appointments

   Approved · 5-0

   The council appointed Amber Robson and Keri Fatino-Ritz to the Ogden Christmas Village Committee.

   Moved by Council Member Richard Hyer, seconded by Council Member Shaun Myers. Vote: 5-0, all voting aye; Council Member Dave Graf and Chair Ken Richey were not present

9. Item 4 · Zoning

   Ordinance 2024-25: Ogden Bend mixed-use zone and sign standards

   Approved · 5-0 · Ogden Bend area, Wall Avenue and 18th Street

   The ordinance revises mixed-use project standards (building types, maximum building lengths facing streets) and sign standards to match the updated Ogden Bend Master Plan. The Planning Commission recommended a 5-story limit, 10-foot first floors, 10-foot setbacks on Wall Avenue and 18th Street, and that at least one building type making up 25% of buildings or units be sellable individually. One owner of parcels across 18th Street said the plan area could host senior and affordable housing; Brierley said that owner could petition to expand the area. Council Member Richard Hyer asked whether the changes make mixed-use zoning more workable; Brierley said commercial demand is soft but residential demand is strong. During public comment, one 18th Street owner said he was unsure how the changes affect him and described code enforcement as heavy-handed, and another resident said the land has sat vacant since 2014.

   • Property owner requesting changes: Lotus Development
   • Planning Commission: recommended approval

   Moved by Council Member Richard Hyer, seconded by Council Member Bart Blair. Vote: 5-0 on roll call; Council Member Dave Graf and Chair Ken Richey were not present

   Follow Ogden Bend master plan and mixed-use zone amendments in the development tracker →

10. Item 5 · Public safety

    Resolution 2024-8: Firefighters Retirement System coverage for new EMS positions

    Approved · 5-0

    The resolution elects coverage under the Utah Firefighters Retirement System for four new full-time transport ambulance technician positions. Deputy Fire Chief Mike Slater said a 2023 state law allows it and it will help hiring.

    Moved by Council Member Angela Choberka, seconded by Council Member Shaun Myers. Vote: 5-0 on roll call; Council Member Dave Graf and Chair Ken Richey were not present

What residents said

Taylor Avenue closure near Weber StateCode enforcement in Ogden Bend areaZoning limits on home improvements

Five Taylor Avenue area residents asked the council to approve closing Taylor Avenue south of Weber State University with a gate, saying the radar signs the city installed are a short-term fix and roads north of campus are already closed. Mayor Nadolski said the petition has not been acted on, the signs are temporary and more work is coming. A resident asked that a ceremonial item on the U.S. Constitution be added to agendas; Acting Chair Marcia White noted Council Member Richard Hyer recognizes Constitution Day each year. Another asked the council to relax zoning limits on home improvements; White said state and national building codes also apply.