Ogden council confirms Michael Slater as fire chief, rezones 155 W. 14th St. and caps turf in new single-family yards
July 15, 2025, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard, Ogden
The Ogden City Council unanimously approved Michael T. Slater as fire chief, awarded $160,000 in arts grants, rezoned a 0.73-acre site at 155 West 14th Street to regional commercial, and limited turf grass in front and side yards of new single-family homes. All votes were 7-0. Earlier, a work session covered the Zone Ogden code rewrite and a proposed rewrite of the airport code in Title 8, which the council said it needs more time to consider.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
City code
Zone Ogden: special use and development standards chapters
Discussed
Senior Planner Brandon Rypien reviewed draft chapters on special use standards (residential daycare, accessory dwelling units, telecommunications facilities) and development standards (landscaping, fencing, lighting, parking). Discussion covered form-based zoning, design guidelines on 25th Street, relaxed ADU standards, historic preservation and streamlining the Landmarks Commission process, home occupation enforcement and sign rules.
City code
Proposed rewrite of airport code (Municipal Code Title 8)
Discussed
Mayor Nadolski, Community and Economic Development Director Jared Johnson, Airport Director Brian Condie and consultant Ryan Leick of Ascension Group Partners proposed realigning the city's airport rules over about six months, moving operating standards into administrative policy and codifying a primary airport ordinance in Title 8. They cited a 2024 state performance audit, an airport economic impact of $328.1 million a year and 2,626 jobs, and a $0.89 million annual operating deficit since 2006. Council members questioned moving standards out of the code and the level of detail in the new policy, and concluded they need more time. Council staff added two August agenda items for further discussion.
Appointment
Appointment of Michael T. Slater as Ogden City Fire Chief
Approved · 7-0
Mayor Benjamin Nadolski recommended Slater, a longtime department member, as the new fire chief after a nationwide search, succeeding retiring Chief Mike Mathieu. The council approved the appointment and Slater took the oath of office. Members thanked both chiefs.
Taxes and fees
Central Weber Sewer Improvement District notice of proposed tax increase
Discussed
Council Member Bart Blair, a district board member, reported on the district's proposed 2025 property tax increase of 9.14 percent, as state law requires. The tax on a $483,000 home would rise from $143.45 to $156.73 a year, and on a $483,000 business from $260.82 to $284.97. The increase would raise about $1,308,368. The district treats wastewater from 16 entities. A public hearing is set for Aug. 19, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
- Fee$1.31 million to Central Weber Sewer Improvement District
Budget
Resolution 2025-14: FY 2025-26 arts grants
Approved · 7-0
The council awarded $160,000 to 29 applicants: $64,000 in general support to nine organizations (largest awards of $11,000 each to Ogden Contemporary Arts, Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music and Treehouse Children's Museum) and $96,000 in project support to 20 applicants (largest $11,000 to the Historic 25th Street Foundation, doing business as Ogden Downtown Alliance). The budget is $150,000 plus $10,000 in returned prior-year grants. Arts Administrator Lorie Buckley said she worked with the City Attorney's Office to comply with Utah Code 10-8-2, and recommended raising the budget next year. Four speakers supported the grants.
- Grant$160,000 to 29 arts organizations and individuals
Zoning
Ordinance 2025-23: rezone 155 West 14th Street from M-1 to C-3
Approved · 7-0
G R I G, LLC petitioned to rezone 0.73 acres, the Iron House Gym property, from Limited Manufacturing (M-1) to Regional Commercial (C-3) so a personal-service business (a tattoo studio in a 3,000-square-foot office/showroom area) can operate alongside the gym. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval May 7. Owner Tyler Alexander said he will complete the C-3 landscaping within weeks and upgrade lighting. Council Member Ken Richey asked about the neighbor to the east, which declined to join the request; Planning Manager Barton Brierley said the city could initiate a rezone of that parcel as part of the general plan update. Vice Chair Richard Hyer noted the neighboring print shop could become legal non-conforming. No residents spoke.
- Applicant: G R I G, LLC (Tyler Alexander)
- Acres: 0.73
- Current zone → proposed: M-1 Limited Manufacturing → C-3 Regional Commercial
- Planning Commission: unanimous recommendation of approval, May 7, 2025
City code
Ordinance 2025-24: landscaping limits for new single-family homes
Approved · 7-0
The amendment to Ogden Municipal Code 15-13-16.E caps turf grass at 35 percent of landscaped front and side yards of new single-family homes, requires at least 50 percent of street-facing landscaping to be living plants, and requires a barrier next to driveways to stop parking on mulch or rock. Planning Manager Brierley said it satisfies a condition of a $10 million Utah Department of Natural Resources grant for replacing the 36-inch water line through Ogden Canyon. Speakers including Amy Wicks (Utah Rivers Council) and Michelle Tanner urged going further, including existing and commercial properties; Laura Lewis raised erosion concerns; Robert Hunter asked for landscaping education. Council Member Dave Graf said he supports conserving water but worried about a shift to rock, noting that residential use is a small share of state water use and that agriculture is the largest. Chair Marcia White and others asked about education; Brierley said materials will follow adoption. All seven members voted yes.
- Grant$10.0 million to Utah Department of Natural Resources
Other
Joint Resolution 2025-5: support for America250 Utah and the Ogden/Weber America250 Committee
Approved · 7-0
The joint resolution of the council and mayor recognizes the Ogden/Weber America250 Committee, partners with America250 Utah and appoints Vice Chair Richard Hyer to the committee. Ogden becomes an official partner and is eligible for a $1,500 planning stipend.
- Grant$1,500 to America250 Utah
Other
Ordinance 2025-25: dissolving five expired redevelopment project areas
Approved · 7-0
The council terminated the 12th Street, South CBD, South Wall, Lincoln and Fairmount redevelopment and economic development areas, whose tax-increment collection periods have ended. State law requires formal termination. Economic Development Director Sara Meess summarized value gains and completed projects in the areas.
What residents said
Landscaping rules cost to homeownersWater conservationAirport code changesHistoric preservation
Brian Janroy of Apogee Worx urged the council to keep an open mind on the airport code changes. Robert Hunter spoke on climate research. Jilian Snyder and Laura Lewis raised concerns about the new landscaping rules, citing cost to new homeowners and the benefits of turf. Travis Pate urged preserving historic resources in redevelopment.