Ogden council declares intent to buy Taylor Canyon school site after striking open-space clause
December 2, 2025, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard
The Ogden City Council voted 6-0 with one abstention to declare the city's intent to buy 4.23 acres of surplus Ogden School District land at the former Taylor Canyon Elementary, after removing a clause tying it to open space. In the earlier work session members reviewed rezones on Porter Avenue and Patterson Street, airport leasing policy and the county's hazard mitigation plan.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| 2024 Weber County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan | Discussed |
| Proposed rezone at 1172 Porter Avenue | Discussed |
| Proposed rezone at 211 Patterson Street | Discussed |
| Airport leasing policies | Discussed |
| Resolution 2025-23: intent to purchase former Taylor Canyon Elementary property | Approved · 6-0-1 |
| Amendment to Resolution 2025-23: strike open-space clause | Approved · 6-1 |
| Closed session | Approved · 6-1 |
Agenda, item by item
Public safety
2024 Weber County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan
Discussed
Fire Chief Mike Slater and Battalion Chief Kenny Miller presented the county plan, which covers 14 hazards and keeps Ogden eligible for federal mitigation grants. Adopting it has no budget impact, but listed projects depend on federal funding; the BRIC grant program the city had planned to use was discontinued this year. Council Member Dave Graf asked about the state wildland-urban interface law taking effect in January 2026; Chief Slater said the department aims to cut the city's WUI area 10 percent in three years and plans town halls in January or February.
Zoning
Proposed rezone at 1172 Porter Avenue
Discussed
Planning Director Barton Brierley summarized a request to rezone 0.3 acres from R-1-6 to R-2 with a conditional overlay and the 12th Street Corridor Overlay, with the overlay also applied to three parcels to the south, for 17 owner-occupied townhomes under a development agreement requiring ten years of owner occupancy. The Planning Commission recommended approval Aug. 6, 2025. Council members worried about traffic at Adams Avenue and 12th Street, a state highway where a traffic study would normally be required; Vice Chair Richard Hyer noted the plan would remove some existing curb cuts, and Council Member Shaun Myers voiced support.
Zoning
Proposed rezone at 211 Patterson Street
Discussed
The Housing Management and Development Corporation, affiliated with the Ogden Housing Authority, seeks to rezone 0.54 acres from R-4 to R-5 for a 25-unit apartment building for young adults aging out of foster care or homeless youth, a Section 42 tax credit project with on-site case management. The Planning Commission recommended approval Oct. 1, 2025. Council Member Angela Choberka raised concerns about concentrating low-income housing nearby and asked for a heat map of services; staff said the specific population and separate management structure differ from typical concentrated poverty.
City code
Airport leasing policies
Discussed
Airport Director Brian Condie and consultant Ryan Leick of Ascension Group Partners presented a proposal to move large parts of Title 8, Chapters 3 and 5 of the airport code into the Administrative Code. Proposed lease terms are 20 years with two 10-year extensions, reversion of improvements to the airport at expiration, and a fixed 3 percent annual rent increase rather than a CPI link (the 20-year regional CPI average was 2.8 percent). The Council ran out of time and will continue at the next work session.
Other
Resolution 2025-23: intent to purchase former Taylor Canyon Elementary property
Approved · 6-0-1
The Council declared the city's intent to purchase 4.23 acres of surplus Ogden School District land where Taylor Canyon Elementary stood until its 2022 demolition. The resolution is a notice of interest, not a purchase agreement; the city and district would each appraise the land and average the results. Community Development Director Jeremy Smith said the state-required window closed Dec. 2 and the site is zoned R-1-6. Council Member Dave Graf cited the lack of price, redevelopment and maintenance figures; Council Member Angela Choberka questioned an open-space-only commitment while the appraisal would reflect residential zoning; Vice Chair Richard Hyer suggested an interlocal arrangement like the Mount Lewis Park one; Mayor Benjamin Nadolski said the aim was a consolidated neighborhood open space. Chair Marcia White abstained, saying she had only weeks left on the Council and was uncomfortable making a decision with long-term financial implications for future councils.
- Land dealAmount not given to Ogden School District
- Acres: 4.23
- Zone: R-1-6
Other
Amendment to Resolution 2025-23: strike open-space clause
Approved · 6-1
Vice Chair Richard Hyer moved to strike a clause saying the mayor and Council had determined strong community support for keeping the property as open space, saying members were uncomfortable that it limited future options. Council Member Shaun Myers opposed, saying keeping the land as open space matched community interest.
Other
Closed session
Approved · 6-1
The Council voted to go into closed session under the Open and Public Meetings Law and reconvened at 10:12 p.m. No action was reported.
What residents said
Taylor Canyon site purchase cost and useCommunication with neighborsTraffic on 12th StreetConcentrated low-income housingAirport lease terms
Four speakers addressed the Taylor Canyon property or airport leasing. A hangar owner urged the city to lead airport leasing policy rather than rely on consultants. Speakers disputed the communication process on the school site, noted it has served as a park for over 50 years, and suggested buying it now with a first right of refusal for the school district for a future school. Another resident asked about winter parking enforcement, the My Hometown Ogden program and America 250 plans.