Ogden council postpones Weber Housing Authority vote after long public hearing, approves citizenship program
January 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 2549 Washington Boulevard, Ogden
After more than two dozen residents spoke for and against Weber Housing Authority's proposed 25-unit supportive housing project at 2325 Madison Avenue, the council voted unanimously to extend consideration of the needed resolution so it and the administration could keep talking with the authority about the site. The council also adopted a Path to Citizenship program with a preliminary $21,000 budget, 6-0. In a work session, members heard proposed rezones on Harrisville Road and Grant Avenue and a request to add two positions in the mayor's office. Council Member Angela Choberka was excused.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item WS · Zoning
Proposed rezone, 397-399 Harrisville Road (work session)
Discussed
Planning Director Barton Brierley presented a petition from MKIB Real Estate, LLC to rezone 4.9 acres from R-2 to R-2S for a townhome project of 60 to 80 units to be sold individually. The three parcels sit near 400 North and Harrisville Road; two hold older single-family houses and the third is a vacant remnant of the neighboring Buddhist church property. The Planning Commission recommended approval on Nov. 6, 2024 with a condition that a parcel boundary adjustment match the zone boundary to the property line. Council questions covered density, how many other projects carry the same zoning and how the developer would apply to the Utah Department of Transportation for access from Harrisville Road.
- Applicant: MKIB Real Estate, LLC
- Acres: 4.9
- Current zone → proposed: R-2 → R-2S
- Planning Commission: recommended approval Nov. 6, 2024, with a boundary adjustment condition
Item WS · Zoning
Proposed rezone, 2869 Grant Avenue (work session)
Discussed
Brierley presented a petition from Race Ostler to rezone a vacant 0.24-acre parcel from CP-3 (Regional Commercial) to R-4 (Multiple-family Residential) with a conditional overlay, which would allow one single-family home or four condominium units or rowhouses. The Jefferson Community Plan land-use map lists R-4 as a desirable option for the site, and the Planning Commission recommended approval on Nov. 6, 2024 with no public comment. Council discussion was brief and centered on access to the parcel.
- Applicant: Race Ostler
- Acres: 0.24
- Current zone → proposed: CP-3 → R-4/CO
- Planning Commission: recommended approval Nov. 6, 2024
Item WS · Budget
Budget amendment for two new mayor's office positions (work session)
Discussed
Mayor Benjamin Nadolski and Chief Administrative Officer Mara Brown asked the council to fund two executive-level positions in the mayor's office, a Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and a Chief of Staff, each in the AED190 range of $115,282 to $167,159. The proposal moves $241,400 from other general fund lines into the mayor's wage budget and is budget neutral for fiscal 2025. Finance Director Justin Sorensen showed which departmental budgets would fund it. Chair Richey said the public hearing would be Feb. 4.
- Budget$241,400
Item 3 · Other
Path to Citizenship program (Resolution 2025-3)
Approved · 6-0
The council approved program guidelines and a preliminary $21,000 budget for the PATH (Participate, Apply, Test, Help) to Citizenship Program, which aims to remove obstacles to naturalization and teach new citizens their civic responsibilities. A 2023 pilot backed by Salt Lake County grant funding and community partners helped 17 Weber County residents become citizens in 2024. Community Engagement Administrator Linda Lartigue presented.
- Budget$21,000
Item 4 · Other
Weber Housing Authority resolution for 2325 Madison Avenue (Resolution 2024-14) extended
Continued · 6-0
The resolution would declare a need for Weber Housing Authority to exercise its powers for a permanent supportive housing project at 2325 Madison Avenue, which state law requires before a county housing authority builds in a city. Chair Richey said the council received the proposal Nov. 4, 2024 and heard from many residents. Mayor Nadolski said he would dedicate staff to analyzing the site or finding a more suitable one. Opponents cited safety, closeness to an elementary school, crime and noise; supporters, including neighbors, a developer and people with personal experience of homelessness, said the site is near services and the 25 units are needed. Council Member Richard Hyer said he would support an extension only if the council stated 2325 Madison was not the best location; Richey said the extension would give time to analyze the property. The council voted unanimously to extend consideration.
What residents said
Safety and crime near the proposed supportive housing siteProximity to an elementary schoolLimit of one minute per speakerCost of new mayor's office positions
More than two dozen people spoke on the Weber Housing Authority project, limited to one minute each. Opponents (including Jeremy Peterson, Emily Taylor and Ian Hale) raised safety, crime, the nearby elementary school and noise. Supporters (including Amy Wicks, Nick Milford, Joanna Droubay and Heath Satow) said supportive housing belongs near services, cited studies finding no rise in crime, and urged a quick decision. Robert Hunter said hundreds of thousands of dollars and a timeline were at stake. In the general comment period, Laura Lewis questioned adding two positions to the mayor's office and Taylor Knuth said the council broke its rules by cutting speaking time from three minutes to one. Several speakers asked the council to announce when it would decide.