Ogden council rezones former fire station 6-1, passes $2.98 million budget amendment and tables Weber Housing Authority supportive housing request
December 3, 2024, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard
The Ogden City Council voted 6-1 to rezone the former Fire Station 3 at 340 Washington Boulevard to regional commercial and 7-0 to adopt a $2,982,925 budget amendment. After about 20 speakers, mostly in support, the council voted 7-0 to table a resolution declaring a need for the Weber Housing Authority to build a 25-unit permanent supportive housing project at 2325 Madison Avenue until January 2025.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Presentation
Plan Ogden General Plan update: visioning
Discussed
Christy Brown of consultant Logan Simpson reported that 39 public maps were narrowed to three scenarios and 307 people had evaluated them by November 13. About 90 percent of survey respondents backed preserving open space, a vibrant downtown, household-sustaining jobs, affordability for the next generation, strong neighborhoods and efficient growth. A draft vision statement was presented. Members asked about conflicts with strategic planning and implementation metrics.
Taxes and fees
Mid-year fee amendments: Police, utilities, cemetery and golf
Discussed
Police fee changes would eliminate fees for crime scene photos, license photos, the landlord training program and tow rotation and add fees for solicitor background checks and badges and for accident reports. Utilities would allow a second recycling cart without a second refuse cart and sell road-milling tailings, with rates updated for inflation. Cemetery rates for graves, interments and related services would rise because city fees fell below the midpoint of nearby cities. Golf would raise cart fees and some green fees and end the Monday-Thursday 18-hole discount; the last increase took effect January 1, 2023.
Budget
American Rescue Plan Act budget amendment ($18.5 million)
Discussed
Finance Director Justin Sorensen said the city received $29,612,825 in federal and state pandemic relief funds, with money earlier allocated to general government wages now freed for other uses. The administration recommended reappropriating funds to Lester Park improvements, the Union Station museum and campus, acquisition and demolition of the county jail on the municipal block, general park improvements (an all-abilities park) and 4th Street Park netting, plus a General Fund transfer to the fleet reserve, for a total amendment of $18,530,850. Funds must be encumbered by December 31, 2024 and spent by December 31, 2026. The council asked for more time and set it for the December 10 work session.
- Budget$18.5 million
Appointment
Planning Commission and Landmarks Commission appointments
Approved · 7-0
The council approved the reappointment of Rick Southwick and Jordan Aaberg and appointment of Bill Ross to the Planning Commission, and the reappointment of Mandy Shale, Carver Shaw and Sara Langston and appointment of Richard Creeger to the Landmarks Commission.
Budget
Budget amendment appropriating $2,982,925 (Ordinance 2024-32)
Approved · 7-0
The amendment funds 20th Street projects, Airport terminal upgrades, vehicle purchases, Justice Court IT equipment, locomotive parts inventory for the Union Station Museum, Fire Department training, Golden Hours roof replacement, Kayak Park and Ogden River repairs and a grant-funded podcast, from fund balance, contingency, transfers, retained earnings and grants. Linda Sanchez said each item should be voted on separately and questioned the Justice Court and vehicle requests. Finance Director Sorensen said a recreation vehicle at the end of its life would be retrofitted for the Fire Chief. Council Member Choberka noted most items are reallocations rather than increases.
- Budget$2.98 million
Zoning
Rezone 340 Washington Boulevard from R-1-6 to C-3 (Ordinance 2024-33)
Approved · 6-1
The city-owned former Fire Station 3 (0.43 acres, about 7,000 square feet of it residentially zoned) is split between R-1-6 and C-3. Planning Director Brierley said the owner of a car dealership to the south has expressed interest in buying it for vehicle storage, a permitted C-3 use, and that a shared driveway easement to Ogden Avenue would be dissolved within six months of the rezone. Travis Pate objected to commercial zoning with no buffer next to homes; Heath Satow suggested marketing the land before rezoning; Linda Sanchez asked whether neighbors were contacted. Brierley said commercial uses must be 30 feet from residential uses and fences are limited to six or seven feet. Council Member Hyer said fixing the split zoning is practical. Council Member Choberka voted no, citing resident input and her view the city could have offered the property for sale first.
- Acres: 0.43
- Current zone → proposed: R-1-6 (partial) → C-3 Regional Commercial
Development
Declare need for Weber Housing Authority to exercise powers in Ogden: permanent supportive housing at 2325 Madison Avenue (Resolution 2024-14)
Tabled · 7-0
The Weber Housing Authority proposes to renovate the former Aspen Care assisted living building into permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities who have experienced homelessness. The Planning Commission found an earlier version inconsistent with the General Plan in December 2023; the authority reduced the plan from 32 to 25 units. Executive Director Andi Beadles said the project is funded entirely by grants with no city money, residents pay 30 percent of income as rent, and Weber Human Services would provide treatment alongside three case managers. About two dozen speakers supported it, including the state homeless coordinator and leaders of United Way, Lantern House, Weber Human Services and Homeless Veterans Fellowship. Residents Emily Taylor, Teresa Bramwell and Debra Darington raised safety, crime and maintenance concerns, including an unmaintained vacant lot owned by the authority; an authority board member said volunteers cleaned it. Council Members Graf and Hyer and Vice Chair White supported tabling for more review; Council Member Myers said he had questions about utilities, services and the tax base. The council tabled the resolution with a discussion at the January 7, 2025 work session and action January 14.
- Applicant: Weber Housing Authority
- Units: 25 (reduced from 32)
- Funding: grants only
What residents said
Supportive housing safety and maintenancePolice fee increases20th Street curb painting and bike laneCommercial zoning next to homesCombined budget amendments
Linda Sanchez opposed police fee increases. Andrea Baltazar said red-painted curbs and a bike lane on 20th Street were adopted without clear notice and asked the city to revisit them. Travis Pate praised Christmas Village. Heath Satow thanked the council for tabling the housing item. Chief Administrative Officer Mara Brown said a consultant handled outreach on 20th Street, outreach could be better, and engineering will revisit the bike lane and red curbing. Council Member Myers said he met residents and noted the homes have single-car driveways.