Council approves 1201 16th Street rezone for 42 townhomes and higher golf fees; residents press council on ICE facility
March 24, 2026, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard
The Ogden City Council adopted a rezone of 3.71 acres at 1201 16th Street to allow 42 owner-occupied townhomes and adopted higher golf course fees, each on a 7-0 vote as recorded. Dozens of residents used public comment to raise concerns about a federal immigration facility in Ogden, and members asked for a special meeting. At the afternoon work session, staff presented proposed changes to the Business Depot Ogden lease revenue ordinance.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Budget
Proposed Business Depot Ogden lease revenue and DDOU ordinance amendments (work session)
Discussed
Assistant Finance Director Korahle Jensen presented changes to the ordinance that sends 50 percent of remaining BDO lease revenue, now over $15 million a year, to capital projects. Proposals would allow funds for previously approved commitments, renew the Quality Neighborhoods Initiative for five years at $1 million a year through fiscal 2031, and drop the mall debt payment obligation, which ends in fiscal 2027. Council Member Lundell worried the generic wording on 'existing commitments' could be read too broadly; Chair Hyer worried about eroding the capital improvement allocation. Executive Director Glenn Symes recommended no action until Quality Neighborhoods updates were provided.
- Budget$1.00 million
- Debt service cited: Marshall White Center about $1.47 million a year; parking structure $3.9 million; WonderBlock $2.7 to $3.9 million depending on tax increment
Other
Work session: Cesar Chavez honorary street signs
Discussed
Chair Hyer relayed feedback about allegations against Cesar Chavez and the honorary street designation. Council members Lopez, Lundell, Washington, Richey, Graf and Myers agreed to removing the signs; Council consensus directed the Administration to remove them while keeping the honorary designation pending further discussion. Symes said the Mayor can remove signage immediately under the updated ordinance, after which the Council decides whether to keep or rescind the name.
Taxes and fees
Ordinance 2026-2: golf fees at El Monte and Mount Ogden golf courses
Approved · 7-0
The ordinance raises green fees, season pass and punch pass rates at the two city courses, last updated in December 2024. Director of Golf Todd Brenkman called it a conservative increase that does not keep pace with inflation and said he expects to return annually over the next four years. The proposed peak 18-hole rate with cart is $56, against $60 to $66 at courses within a 45-minute drive. Two speakers at the public hearing supported it, one saying rates should be higher.
- FeeAmount not given
Zoning
Ordinance 2026-3: rezone 1201 16th Street from R-2 to R-2S/CO
Approved · 7-0
The Council rezoned 3.71 acres to allow 42 single-family townhomes platted for individual ownership, with a deed restriction requiring owner occupancy for 10 years and a development agreement that reverts the zoning if studies find insurmountable problems. The Planning Commission had recommended approval 6-0. Applicant Gardner Francis said R-2 could allow 63 units, that 16th Street carries about 3,000 of a 6,300 daily vehicle design capacity, and that the project would add about 250 trips; he showed a plan with added visitor parking. Residents opposing cited parking, traffic safety, access through the River Glen private streets and neighborhood character; supporters cited housing need and owner occupancy. Council Member Lopez suggested tabling for more community outreach. Members Richey, Lundell and Myers and Vice Chair Graf supported moving forward, noting later review steps and that the rezone alone does not set design details. The minutes list Chair Hyer among the ayes although he left at 6:53 p.m.
- Applicant: Gardner Francis, petitioner
- Acres: 3.71
- Current zone → proposed: R-2 → R-2S/CO
- Units: 42 townhomes, owner-occupied 10 years
- Planning Commission: recommended approval 6-0 on Nov. 5, 2025
Other
Public comment: federal immigration facility and conditional use permit
Discussed
Chief Administrative Officer Mara Brown said claims of overnight holding were unsubstantiated, that ICE reported processing only, and that the facility appeared to comply with its 26-year-old conditional use permit; she said cities cannot restrict federal agencies under the supremacy clause. Many residents alleged permit violations, described fear among students and families, and asked for code, fire and health inspections, resolutions and protection of sensitive locations. One speaker supported police and ICE. Council Member Lundell said federal data obtained by records request showed violations and that he requested a fire inspection. Council Member Washington called for a prompt special meeting; Vice Chair Graf said the date would be set by Council leadership.
What residents said
Parking at 1201 16th StreetSecondary access through private streetsStormwater runoffImmigration facility permit complianceStudent and family safetyDowntown managed parking
Golf fees: Heath Satow and Thor Dorosh supported the increase. 1201 16th Street: Karen Thurber, Laura Lewis and River Glen HOA president Blake Duffin opposed, citing parking, traffic safety, access through private streets and neighborhood character; Thor Dorosh, Daniel Matern and others supported, citing housing need and owner occupancy; some asked for bike lanes and more outreach. Immigration facility: dozens of residents alleged permit violations, described student and family fears and asked for inspections and resolutions. Laura Lewis also asked about the downtown managed parking program and use of lease revenue for a parking lot.