Ogden council rezones 12 acres at 853 7th Street for 91 small-lot homes on a 5-2 vote and adopts West Ogden/24th Street interchange plan
September 16, 2025, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard, Ogden
The Ogden City Council voted 5-2 to rezone 12.02 acres at 853 7th Street from single-family (R-1-6) to R-2S with a conditional overlay, clearing the way for a proposed 91-home owner-occupied development; Chair Marcia White and Council Member Ken Richey voted no, citing unresolved access and site unknowns. Nine residents spoke against it and urged the city to preserve the land as open space. The council also unanimously adopted the West Ogden/24th Street Interchange District Plan.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| FrontRunner Station Area Plan certification | Discussed |
| Middle-Income Housing Program guidelines (FHA 221(d)(4)) | Discussed |
| Youth Council bylaws amendments | Discussed |
| Ordinance 2025-29: rezone 853 7th Street from R-1-6 to R-2S/CO | Approved · 5-2 |
| Resolution 2025-16: West Ogden/24th Street Interchange District Plan | Approved · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
General plan
FrontRunner Station Area Plan certification
Discussed
Senior Planner Brandon Rypien said Administration is seeking state certification of Ogden's FrontRunner Station Area Plan under Senate Bill 462 (2022), which requires cities with major transit stations to plan for land within a half mile. Instead of a new plan, Ogden is using the 'previous actions' option to show existing plans advance affordable housing, sustainability, job access and transportation choices. Council discussion covered what counts as a station and whether land use code changes are needed.
Other
Middle-Income Housing Program guidelines (FHA 221(d)(4))
Discussed
Community Development Director Jeremy Smith proposed guidelines letting multifamily developers use the federal FHA 221(d)(4) middle-income program, which requires at least 50 percent of units reserved for households earning no more than 120 percent of area median income for at least 10 years, with capped rents. The city would have to track and certify compliance each year. The council discussed the definition of middle income, how market rents are set and developer support.
Other
Youth Council bylaws amendments
Discussed
Communications Director Brandon Garside summarized changes: renaming Chairperson and Vice Chairperson roles to Chair and Vice Chair, setting leadership election timelines, and automatically appointing a lone candidate for a leadership role. Youth Council members described upcoming events and service projects.
Zoning
Ordinance 2025-29: rezone 853 7th Street from R-1-6 to R-2S/CO
Approved · 5-2
Pat Burns petitioned to rezone 12.02 acres for 91 detached single-family homes on small lots, platted for individual ownership with common area. The developer offered a development agreement and a 10-year owner-occupancy deed restriction; staff said an agreement would put a time limit on the zoning, after which it would revert. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5-2 on June 4; the two dissenting commissioners said the density cost was too great and green space should be preserved. Burns said he does not own the land: he has a contract for half of it at $2.3 million, is negotiating for the rest, and will pipe the canal on the east side of the site but not the west. Staff said further steps include studies (borings and trenching for drainage), site plan, group dwelling, subdivision and development agreement review, and a possible access easement from Monroe Boulevard. Nine residents spoke against, citing steep topography and neighborhood impacts, and asked the city to buy the land as a park. Council Members Dave Graf, Shaun Myers, Bart Blair, Angela Choberka and Vice Chair Richard Hyer voted yes, citing that the project cannot proceed if studies are unfavorable and that small-lot homes would be attainable for younger residents. Richey said there are too many hurdles; Chair White said she wanted access issues resolved before zoning and was hesitant to commit staff time to a project with many unknowns. Mayor Nadolski said the land has always been zoned residential and the decision only changes the type of housing.
- Applicant: Pat Burns
- Acres: 12.02
- Units: 91 detached single-family homes
- Current zone → proposed: R-1-6 → R-2S/CO (Two-Family and Small Lot Residential, Conditional Overlay)
- Planning Commission: recommended approval 5-2, June 4, 2025
- Developer's contract to buy half the land: $2.3 million
General plan
Resolution 2025-16: West Ogden/24th Street Interchange District Plan
Approved · 7-0
The council adopted the district plan for the area around the Utah Department of Transportation's planned I-15/24th Street interchange, replacing the 2014 West Ogden Community Plan and 2005 24th Street Corridor Plan. The Planning Commission recommended it 9-0. Consultant McKayla Dunfey of Logan Simpson said discussions resumed in 2017; Senior Planner Brandon Rypien said delays stemmed from UDOT and Union Pacific railroad negotiations. Rypien said a goal is to finish the interchange before the 2034 Olympics. Council Member Choberka asked about crosswalks across 24th Street. Six residents raised concerns about ancillary transportation changes, road extensions across the rail yard and welcome signage.
What residents said
Steep topography and access at 853 7th StreetLoss of open space and wildlife habitatAffordability24th Street interchange road changesWelcome signage
Darrel Warner said the new development could affect neighborhood safety and noted the steep grade. Laura Lewis said the 7th Street parcel is a wildlife migration area and questioned whether the homes would be affordable. Janis Starkey asked how West Ogden roads would cross the railyard without disturbing historic landmarks. Heath Satow said the welcome signage is underwhelming. Linda Sanchez thanked the council for acknowledging Constitution Day.