Ogden council hears public on Lotus land exchange; residents protest 20th Street curb changes
November 19, 2024, 6:05 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard
With two members excused, the Ogden City Council held a public hearing on moving city parcels to the Redevelopment Agency for the Lotus Riverwalk Phase 3 land exchange and the Parkway Group project at 1820 Washington Boulevard. No council vote was required. Staff said the Lotus project is tied to low-income housing tax credits and includes 16 for-sale homes. Residents on 20th Street criticized red-painted curbs from a road project.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Roads and utilities
Wall Avenue Corridor Plan
Discussed
Kimley-Horn and Associates, chosen after a June 2024 request for proposals, is developing a corridor plan with UDOT as a funding partner. The vision is to better connect Union Station to 25th Street, serve multiple travel modes, reduce speeds and improve pedestrian safety. Discussion focused on public engagement.
Zoning
Rezone of 340 Washington Boulevard (former Fire Station 3)
Discussed
Planning Director Barton Brierley described a proposal to rezone about 7,000 square feet of the city-owned 0.43-acre site from R-1-6 to C-3 so the whole parcel has one zone. The split zoning may hinder a sale. A 12-foot cross-access easement to Ogden Avenue would be eliminated on a sale. The item was set for December 3.
City code
Campaign finance code amendments
Discussed
The administration withdrew the proposed change to the political activity section and revised the campaign finance proposal to repeal and readopt the chapter in line with state code, keep the current contribution limits ($5,000 for mayor, $1,500 for council), require a disclosure on political advertising and set penalties.
Budget
Mid-year budget amendment ($2.9 million) and Forest Service Building budget amendment
Discussed
Finance Director Justin Sorensen outlined a roughly $2.9 million mid-year amendment across the General, CIP, Airport, Parking and Mobility, BDO, Storm Sewer, Medical Services, Fleet and Facilities and grant funds. Separately, the RDA budget amendment for the $3.6 million Forest Service Building purchase would cover the 10 percent earnest money and two years of maintenance from Adams CRA fund balance and loan proceeds, with another amendment needed before closing; a private placement bond is expected to reimburse the agency.
- Budget$2.90 million
- Purchase$3.60 million to U.S. General Services Administration
Other
Administrative update: parks, homeless shelter site, old jail building
Discussed
Parks and cemetery maintenance priorities were reviewed. Council Member Graf asked about a proposed 1,200-bed homeless shelter; Chief Administrative Officer Mara Brown said the group needs a 30-acre site and Ogden has none. She said the administration is seeking approval to use federal pandemic relief funds to buy and demolish the old jail building by the municipal building and is not aware of plans to repurpose it for federal immigration use. The Brown Ice Cream building owner has plans ready for city review.
Public hearing
Public hearing: conveyance of city parcels to the RDA for Lotus Riverwalk Phase 3 (18th Street, Wall and Lincoln avenues) and the Parkway Group project (1820 Washington Boulevard)
Discussed
The mayor gave notice of conveying six city parcels (about 3.5 acres) to the RDA, which would then exchange them with Lotus 1900 Lincoln LLC for about 2.45 acres east of Lincoln Avenue; four more parcels at 1820 Washington Boulevard go to the RDA for the Parkway Group land transfer. The hearing is required by city code and the council took no vote. Heath Satow asked whether concerns would be addressed first and noted an updated appraisal. Teresa Bramwell objected to transferring public land to private developers without requiring for-sale housing. Economic and community development staff said the Beehive Storage property is not part of the trade, that appraisals by Western States Multi-Family Appraising and Consulting arrived that afternoon, and that the city is exploring a First-time Homebuyer Investment Zone to require for-sale units. Staff said the proposal dates to 2022, that Lotus bought the Lincoln Avenue land from a private owner, and that Lotus holds low-income housing tax credit approvals it could lose. Vice Chair White asked why market-rate apartments are not feasible; staff deferred to Lotus. Lotus's Adam Hughes said the Master Plan requires 25 percent of units south of the river be for sale, 16 homes will be for sale, and the plan moves the future park to a more central site. Mayor Nadolski said staff have worked on the project for two years.
What residents said
20th Street curb painting and parking lossLotus land exchangeFor-sale vs rental housingCampaign donation limitsHomeless housing at Madison Avenue
Andrea Baltazar, Marie Hogge and Brody Smith, residents of 20th Street between Brinker Avenue and Harrison Boulevard, said the city painted curbs red and removed parking without clear notice and asked officials to visit. A property owner (James Edwards) described difficulty getting responses from city officials and police. Heath Satow urged lower campaign donation limits and a cap on anonymous contributions and said the Brown Ice Cream building sold without public bidding and missed its occupancy deadline. Teresa Bramwell asked about tax-delinquent lots on Grant Avenue, suggested eminent domain, and opposed a planned supportive housing project at Madison Avenue and 23rd Street. Mayor Nadolski said the curb painting was meant to improve safety and he would look into communication; said projects were inherited and no one is getting rich from them; and said he has no strong view on donation limits.