Ogden council weighs infill housing changes and 29-lot Jackson Avenue plan; approves advisory committee appointments

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Presentation

   Ogden Pioneer Days Foundation annual report

   Discussed

   Foundation Chairman Elect Steve Handy presented the group's mission, successes, challenges and plans as part of the council's review of nonprofits with city contracts.

2. Other

   Infill Housing Program guideline amendments

   Discussed

   The administration proposed raising the acquisition amount that staff can approve without council review from $250,000 to $400,000 and adding HUD-required accessibility and fair housing language when federal funds are used. Community Development Director Jeremy Smith said the homes are for-sale products accessible to moderate-income buyers. Members asked about the fair housing language, past returns and competition between the city and private builders.

   • Budget$400,000 Proposed new cap on infill property acquisitions without council approval (from $250,000)

3. Subdivision

   Concept plan for 605 North Jackson Avenue infill subdivision

   Discussed · 605 North Jackson Avenue

   The final concept plan shows 29 single-family lots of at least 5,000 square feet, with curb, gutter and repaving of Jackson Avenue, new public streets, piping the canal and pedestrian connections; options ranged from 27 to 32 lots. The site was bought with $1,075,000 in Quality Neighborhood Initiative funds; a future capital plan request would pay for streets and utilities, and home construction would be financed with an existing line of credit. Members discussed making the detention basin an amenity, connectivity, owner-occupancy deed restrictions, and limits on buying multiple units. Council Member Graf said the city also needs market-rate housing; Vice Chair White preferred the term missing middle; Council Member Choberka said she would be uncomfortable subsidizing homes priced at $700,000 to $800,000. Smith said a moderate home now costs about $450,000. Council Member Hyer disclosed a personal property interest related to the item and said he does not believe it affects his objectivity.

   • Land deal$1.07 million Purchase of the 605 North Jackson site. Paid from Quality Neighborhood Initiative funds
   • Lots: 29 single-family, minimum 5,000 sq ft

   Follow 605 N. Jackson Avenue infill subdivision in the development tracker →

4. Budget

   ARPA budget amendment ($18,530,850) continued

   Discussed

   Council members said they supported using the funds but wanted more discussion. Vice Chair White proposed holding money in a capital plan account until decisions are final; Council Member Graf questioned the jail demolition allocation and wanted more for Lester Park. White noted the council has not voted on buying the jail. Finance Director Sorensen agreed to prepare alternative schedules for December 17; Chief Administrative Officer Mara Brown said an appraisal and demolition estimates are being obtained.

   • Budget$18.5 million Reappropriation of pandemic relief funds. Paid from ARPA funds; General Fund balance

   Follow Lester Park redesign in the development tracker →

5. Appointment

   Community and Economic Development Citizens Advisory Committee appointments

   Approved · 7-0

   The council approved reappointing Rick Southwick, Mitchel Garsz, Amanda Lessard and Benjamin Hughes and appointing MJ Munger and Flor Lopez. Vice Chair White said she had nothing against anyone listed but noted at least one already serves on another city committee and wondered whether others wanted a seat.

   Moved by Council Member Richard Hyer, seconded by Council Member Bart Blair. Vote: 7-0 (all voting aye)

6. Other

   Closed session

   Approved · 7-0

   The council voted 7-0 to go into closed session under the Open and Public Meetings Law; no action was reported on return.

   Moved by Council Member Richard Hyer, seconded by Council Member Bart Blair. Vote: 7-0