Ogden council approves 10-lot Kingston Drive rezone 7-0 as joint public safety resolution waits for March 3
February 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard
The Ogden City Council unanimously rezoned about 1.56 acres at 1425 Kingston Drive from R-1-10 to R-1-8 for a 10-lot subdivision, after learning a planning commissioner who is the petitioner's business partner had recused himself. The Council honored retired Executive Director Janene Eller-Smith, and a joint resolution on community trust and public safety was postponed to March 3. Mayor Benjamin Nadolski was absent.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| FY2025 Annual Grants Report | Discussed |
| Council initiative: joint resolution affirming community trust through public safety | Discussed |
| Zone change at 1425 Kingston Drive: agenda discussion | Discussed |
| Ordinance 2026-1: rezone at 1425 Kingston Drive from R-1-10 to R-1-8 | Approved · 7-0 |
| Closed session | Approved · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Presentation
Ogden Nature Center annual report
Discussed
Executive Director Laura Western reported removal of 15 acres of Russian olives, 91 tracked deer, a renovated discovery room on the Great Salt Lake watershed with English and Spanish signs, and a 50th anniversary Earth Day festival. She cited financial pressure from aging infrastructure and animal care costs, and listed priorities of budget stability, major donor development, water restoration, public education on the north property and systems upgrades. She floated a mobile 'nature van'.
Budget
FY2025 Annual Grants Report
Discussed
Assistant Finance Director Korahle Jensen said the city had 88 grants and spent $36.7 million in grant dollars, including $10 million from the state and $18.4 million in federal ARPA funds, up from 49 grants ten years ago. She credited grant writer positions in police, fire and other departments.
- Grant$36.7 million
Other
Council initiative: joint resolution affirming community trust through public safety
Discussed
Chair Richard Hyer said consideration was postponed to March 3. Council Member Alicia Washington, who co-sponsors with Council Member Kevin Lundell, said they want to track House Bill 571, introduced the day before. They held a community conversation on the resolution at the library. Lundell expressed concern that Council members lack a clear picture of the city's lobbying positions at the Capitol and stressed local control.
Zoning
Zone change at 1425 Kingston Drive: agenda discussion
Discussed
Assistant Executive Director Steve Burton said rezoning from R-1-10 to R-1-8 could allow 10 lots rather than eight; most nearby land is R-1-10 but the site adjoins R-1-8. Vice Chair Dave Graf noted more homes on the same infrastructure can add affordability, and members discussed a constituent email on traffic on Polk Street.
Zoning
Ordinance 2026-1: rezone at 1425 Kingston Drive from R-1-10 to R-1-8
Approved · 7-0
The Council rezoned about 1.56 acres, a former church site split between R-1-10 on the north and R-1-8 on the south, to R-1-8 for a 10-lot single-family subdivision. Petitioner Gary Cannon expects homes near $650,000, said they are likely to be owner-occupied, and offered a development agreement requiring owner occupancy. Planning Director Barton Brierley said staff and the Planning Commission did not recommend an owner-occupancy requirement for 8,000-square-foot lots. Council Member Alicia Washington asked about Planning Commissioner Rick Southwick, who is a business partner of the petitioner; Brierley confirmed he recused himself and left the room for the commission's discussion and vote and would have to abstain from later action. Washington asked that transmittals note recusals. Four speakers supported adding single-family homes; four neighbors opposed reduced lot sizes and questioned developer motives. Chair Richard Hyer called the project a step toward the city's shortfall in single-family housing.
- Applicant: Gary Cannon
- Acres: about 1.56
- Lots: 10 single-family
- Current zone → proposed: R-1-10 → R-1-8
- Planning Commission: recommended approval Dec. 3, 2025; a commissioner who is the petitioner's business partner recused
Other
Closed session
Approved · 7-0
The Council voted unanimously to go into closed session under the Open and Public Meetings Law, from 7:23 to 8:29 p.m. No action was reported.
What residents said
Smaller lots on Kingston DriveTraffic on Polk StreetImmigration enforcement legislation (HB 571)Transparency portal access
At the rezone hearing, four speakers supported adding single-family homes and four neighbors opposed smaller lots. In general comments, speakers raised a state bill they saw as overreaching on city spending, safety of refugees and immigrants, the tabled joint resolution and government overreach, mobile access to the city's transparency portal, and the balance of rental apartments to owner-occupied homes. The chief administrative officer said the city would look at mobile compatibility.