Ogden council approves Porter Avenue townhome rezone and massage rules, tables Patterson Street housing
December 9, 2025, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard
The Ogden City Council appointed Glenn Symes as Council Executive Director, rezoned 0.3 acres at 1172 Porter Avenue for 17 owner-occupied townhomes, and adopted massage business regulations and a water conservation plan. It tabled the 211 Patterson Street rezone for housing for former foster youth to Jan. 20 so the incoming council member could weigh in. Chair Marcia White cast the lone no vote on the General Plan water element.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Other
Utah Renewable Communities (CREA) update
Discussed
Sustainability Coordinator Lorenzo Long said 19 Utah communities are pursuing net 100 percent renewable energy by 2030, with members pooling funds to cover the gap beyond Rocky Mountain Power's projected 50 percent renewable mix. Customers would be automatically enrolled with a penalty-free opt-out during the first eight months; the board's position is that costs should be no more than $3 to $4 a month for the average customer, with bill credits up to $7 for low-income customers. The final step for Ogden is a participation ordinance expected in spring 2026, and the Public Service Commission holds a hearing Dec. 16. Council Member Dave Graf replaces Council Member Angela Choberka as Ogden's program board representative.
Taxes and fees
Business Depot Ogden lease revenue ordinance amendments
Discussed
Finance Director Justin Sorensen outlined changes to the code governing Business Depot Ogden lease revenue: removing the $1,000,000 annual CBD Mall RDA debt payment, allowing revenue for WonderBlock debt service (up to $4.2 million a year) and the MBA parking garage (up to $4 million a year), renewing $1,000,000 for the Quality Neighborhood Initiative for five years, and a supplemental transfer to the General Fund when other revenue falls short. Lease revenue grew from under $4 million in 2013 to over $15.5 million in 2025. Several members were concerned about using the revenue for operations rather than capital projects; Council Member Ken Richey asked for historical use data and Chair Marcia White urged a five-year financial plan.
- Budget$4.20 million
- Budget$4.00 million
Contract
Public Services management study consultant
Discussed
Council Assistant Executive Director Glenn Symes recommended awarding a management study of the Public Services Department (about $103 million budget, 183 full-time employees) to Matrix Consulting Group for just over $81,000, over four to six months. A selection committee that included Council Member Ken Richey recommended Matrix unanimously; the city used the firm in 2016 for a fleet and facilities study. Members were comfortable placing it on the Dec. 16 consent agenda.
- Contract$81,000 to Matrix Consulting Group
City code
Airport leasing policies (continued)
Discussed
Officials said 74 airport leases are in holdover status dating to 2020, with 16 more expiring in 2025. Agreed policy points: an open, FAA-compliant leasing process, a 40-year term (20 years plus two 10-year extensions), possible tenancy up to 70 years, no fair-market adjustments in the first 20 years, 3 percent annual escalation and market adjustments at extension. Vice Chair Richard Hyer sought assurance tenants could extend reliably without arbitrary decisions. Members said they were comfortable moving ahead on Dec. 16.
Appointment
Appointment of Council Executive Director (Resolution 2025-24)
Approved · 7-0
The Council appointed Glenn Symes, currently Assistant Executive Director, as Council Executive Director effective Jan. 3, 2026. The current director announced her retirement in September, effective Jan. 15, 2026; a selection committee interviewed six applicants and sent three to the Council.
Budget
Ordinance 2025-38: FY2025-26 budget amendment of $2,218,275
Approved · 7-0
The amendment recognizes $2,212,275 in FAA grant funds and $6,000 from Golf fund balance, closes completed trail, adventure park and El Monte deck projects and moves leftover funds to the Centennial Trail, trail improvements, park facilities ($295,650) and El Monte kitchen ($21,350), and moves $150,000 from CIP contingency to Lorin Farr Pool repairs. No one spoke at the public hearing.
- Grant$2.21 million to Federal Aviation Administration
- Budget$150,000
- Budget$295,650
Roads and utilities
Joint Resolution 2025-6: 2025 Water Conservation Plan
Approved · 7-0
Water Utility Director Brady Herd presented the state-required five-year update, aligned with a regional goal of 175 gallons per capita per day by 2065; Ogden now uses about 184 to 186. About 37 percent of residents have secondary irrigation. At the hearing, Great Salt Lake Water Keeper Amy Wicks called the goal unambitious; two residents worried about regulations and new development straining supply. Chair Marcia White agreed the goal was not ambitious enough but voted for the plan.
Zoning
Ordinance 2025-39: rezone at 1172 Porter Avenue and 1135 Jefferson Avenue
Approved · 7-0
The Council rezoned 0.3 acres from R-1-6 to R-2 with a conditional overlay and the 12th Street Corridor Overlay, extending the overlay to three parcels near 1180 Porter Avenue and 584 12th Street, for 17 owner-occupied townhomes under a development agreement requiring ten years of owner occupancy. Members raised traffic at Adams Avenue and 12th Street and Chair Marcia White suggested a traffic study. A resident asked why owner occupancy lasts only ten years; Mayor Benjamin Nadolski said the city cannot legislate ownership, but individual platting favors owner occupancy.
- Applicant: Jaime Ponce de Leon
- Acres: 0.3
- Units: 17 townhomes
- Current zone → proposed: R-1-6 → R-2/CO/12th Street Corridor Overlay
- Planning Commission: recommended approval Aug. 6, 2025
Zoning
Ordinance 2025-40: rezone at 211 Patterson Street
Tabled · 6-1
Vice Chair Richard Hyer proposed tabling because of neighborhood questions and so the Council member-elect for the area could take part; Chair Marcia White and Council Member Angela Choberka agreed. Council Member Shaun Myers moved to adopt; the motion died for lack of a second. The proposal is a rezone of 0.54 acres from R-4 to R-5 for a 25-unit one-bedroom building for former foster youth, owned by an Ogden Housing Authority affiliate. Speakers supported housing for former foster youth or asked about parking. Council Member Ken Richey said he supported the project but was willing to table; Council Member Angela Choberka questioned the need for 25 units and transit access. The item was tabled to Jan. 20, 2026.
General plan
Ordinance 2025-41: Water Use and Preservation Element of the General Plan
Approved · 6-1
The Council adopted the element required by state law by Dec. 31, 2025, drafted with Logan Simpson as part of the Plan Ogden rewrite; the Planning Commission recommended approval Oct. 1. Chair Marcia White said its goals did not match the Water Conservation Plan and were not ambitious enough, and voted no. Amy Wicks said no conservation voices were in the stakeholder group.
Public safety
Joint Resolution 2025-7: 2024 Weber County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted the county plan, which covers 14 hazards, so Ogden remains eligible for federal mitigation grants.
City code
Ordinance 2025-37: massage business regulations (substitute)
Approved · 7-0
Building Services Director Christian Stucki said a blank client intake sheet raises no HIPAA concern, the ordinance was revised to give property owners notice, hearing and appeal before the three-year restriction after a revocation, and four of seven affected businesses responded and supported the rules. The Council accepted a substitute ordinance and adopted it.
What residents said
Traffic at Adams Avenue and 12th StreetParking at 211 Patterson StreetConcentration of low-income housingWater conservation goalsRenewable energy program costs
Speakers thanked outgoing council members and the retiring executive director and congratulated Mr. Symes. Others spoke on the Utah Community Renewable Energy program (opt-out and cost), airport management and leasing, massage ordinance wording and water conservation versus new development. On the Patterson Street rezone, speakers backed housing for former foster youth or raised parking.