Ogden council approves Harrisville Road and Grant Avenue rezones and two new mayor's office positions; White elected chair
February 4, 2025, 6:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 2549 Washington Boulevard, Ogden
The council voted 7-0 to rezone 397-399 Harrisville Road for townhomes and 2869 Grant Avenue from commercial to residential with a conditional overlay, and 7-0 to fund two new mayor's office positions through a budget-neutral transfer. It also adopted a change to the Chief Administrative Officer's powers and elected Marcia White chair, 7-0, and Richard Hyer vice chair, 6-1. In a work session, department heads reviewed community safety progress under the city's strategic plan and engineering standards updates.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Amendments to Engineering Standards for Public Improvements (work session) | Discussed |
| Canyon waterline replacement update (work session) | Discussed |
| Fire preparedness update (work session) | Discussed |
| Two new mayor's office positions (Ordinance 2025-3) | Approved · 7-0 |
| Rezone 397 and 399 North Harrisville Road, R-2 to R-2S (Ordinance 2025-4) | Approved · 7-0 |
| Rezone 2869 Grant Avenue, CP-3 to R-4/CO (Ordinance 2025-5) | Approved · 7-0 |
| Powers of the Chief Administrative Officer (Ordinance 2025-7) | Approved · 7-0 |
| Election of council chair | Approved · 7-0 |
| Election of council vice chair | Approved · 6-1 |
Agenda, item by item
Item WS · Presentation
Strategic plan report: community safety (work session)
Discussed
Police Chief Jacob Sube compared Ogden's Part 1 crime rates with other cities and described new tracking software. Fire Chief Mike Mathieu reported the department earned its first Insurance Services Office Class 2 rating, among the top 6.5 percent nationwide. Public Services Director Justin Anderson covered sidewalk, street and water projects. Members asked about police-community interactions, panhandling and how the city decides whether infrastructure is repaired or replaced.
Item WS · City code
Amendments to Engineering Standards for Public Improvements (work session)
Discussed
City Engineer Taylor Nielsen proposed updates including a 15-business-day variance review with defined approval criteria, traffic impact studies for projects with 100 or more daily trips, 50 or more dwelling units or 30,000 square feet of building, new sewer air-testing and easement-width rules, a stormwater design manual and a 5.5-foot maximum water main depth. The Planning Commission recommended approval Nov. 6, 2024.
Item WS · Roads and utilities
Canyon waterline replacement update (work session)
Discussed
Nielsen gave an overview of the 36-inch Canyon Water Line replacement, its construction schedule and the project website. Discussion centered on the pipeline alignment.
Item WS · Public safety
Fire preparedness update (work session)
Discussed
Chief Mathieu reported on a recent downtown structure fire that destroyed a housing project under construction and on wildfire preparedness. Members asked about coordination with Rocky Mountain Power on hillside infrastructure and about fire mitigation in wildland areas.
Item 5 · Budget
Two new mayor's office positions (Ordinance 2025-3)
Approved · 7-0
The council amended the fiscal 2025 budget for a net change of $0 to add a Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (AED190) and a Chief Executive Assistant (DD180); the earlier plan for a Chief of Staff was modified. Funds come from other departmental and non-departmental budgets, and fiscal 2026 would need between $344,000 and $413,000 more in the mayor's budget. Mayor Nadolski said the positions would let him drive executive leadership across departments. Vice Chair White said there had been an unwritten agreement to use vacant positions and attrition to fund wage increases for existing staff. In the hearing, Teresa Bramwell asked about the source of funds and Travis Pate, supporting the positions, suggested a sunset clause. Chair Richey said the staffing document is reviewed annually and the money comes from unfilled positions in Community and Economic Development and Business Services.
- BudgetAmount not given
Item 6 · Zoning
Rezone 397 and 399 North Harrisville Road, R-2 to R-2S (Ordinance 2025-4)
Approved · 7-0
The council rezoned 4.9 acres from two-family residential (R-2) to two-family and small lot residential (R-2S) for MKIB Real Estate's planned townhomes of 60 to 85 units for individual ownership. Brian Smith of MKIB said he is not seeking more density than the current zone allows, is working with UDOT on access across from America First Credit Union and promised a project that is not 'cookie cutter.' Planning Director Brierley said staff recommended a lot line adjustment to avoid split zoning and the developer must keep irrigation access. Travis Pate asked for a development agreement and a street connection south; a neighboring property owner raised concerns about property values and irrigation water; Selvoy Fillerup of Heritage Land Development and Bryson Cutler supported the plan. The Planning Commission had recommended approval with a boundary adjustment condition.
- Applicant: MKIB Real Estate, LLC
- Acres: 4.9
- Current zone → proposed: R-2 → R-2S
- Units: 60-85 townhomes planned
Item 7 · Zoning
Rezone 2869 Grant Avenue, CP-3 to R-4/CO (Ordinance 2025-5)
Approved · 7-0
The council rezoned the 0.24-acre vacant lot from Regional Commercial (CP-3) to Multiple-Family Residential with a conditional overlay (R-4/CO). Applicant Race Ostler said he plans individually owned units. Two nearby speakers questioned whether a 66-by-166-foot lot can hold street-facing row houses, parking, and whether the owner would build or only make the lot more marketable; a sign-company owner asked that the remaining commercial land and her business not be affected. Planning Director Brierley said the lot is small but concept options include on-site parking, and Council Member Choberka noted the overlay requires design approval before building. Brierley confirmed no other owners are forced to rezone.
- Applicant: Race Ostler
- Acres: 0.24
- Current zone → proposed: CP-3 → R-4/CO
Item 8 · City code
Powers of the Chief Administrative Officer (Ordinance 2025-7)
Approved · 7-0
The council amended Municipal Code section 2-4-5 so the Chief Administrative Officer can make recommendations on hiring, discipline or termination of employees in the mayor's office, which council staff said codifies existing city policy.
Item 9a · Appointment
Election of council chair
Approved · 7-0
Council Member Choberka nominated Vice Chair Marcia White as 2025 chair; Council Member Graf seconded. All seven members voted aye.
Item 9b · Appointment
Election of council vice chair
Approved · 6-1
Council Member Graf nominated Council Member Richard Hyer as 2025 vice chair; Council Member Blair seconded. Six members voted aye and Council Member Choberka voted no. She later thanked outgoing Chair Ken Richey for his service.
What residents said
Apartments displacing commercial space on 18th StreetIrrigation access and crime near Harrisville Road siteParking and lot size at 2869 Grant AvenueCost of new mayor's office positionsTransparency of public discussion
Teresa Bramwell thanked Richey, described experiences with the city's Good Landlord Program and tied the Weber Housing Authority project to it. Heath Satow praised the Citizens Police Academy and voiced concern about a pattern of reduced transparency in comments by the mayor and council. Travis Pate asked the council to publicize earlier discussion dates for items headed to public hearing. Scott Jensen said apartments on 18th Street are displacing commercial businesses and asked whether the city has too many apartments. Richey said agendas link to staff reports listing earlier discussions and that the council last year barred apartments in commercial zones; Mayor Nadolski said about 40 percent of city units are rentals.