The North Ogden City Council Tables Request to Rezone 22.9 Acres of Commercial Property to Higher Density Residential Property

During North Ogden City's regularly scheduled council meeting Aspen Land Development Services presented a request to rezone 22.9 acres from the Commercial C-2 zone to the R-3 and R-4 Residential higher density zones.  The property is located at 1825 North 100 East.

The concept plan included an assisted living center on approximately 8 acres and multi-family residential units on approximately 14.9 acres. Twenty-six of the twenty-seven individuals who testified at the public hearing spoke in opposition to the rezone.  Some who opposed the multi-family residential development expressed tentative support for the assisted living center.

The City Council tabled this item and instructed the staff to work with the developer to create a suitable development agreement for the assisted living center that will be located on approximately 8 acres and denied the developer's request for R-4 and R-3 zone on the remainder of the property.

In other action the City Council

1)  Discussed the process and time frame for updating the City General Plan.  Following a joint meeting by the City Council and Planning Commission the Mayor and Council will select a Steering Committee to oversee the review and preparation process.  The Steering Committee will consist of the Mayor, 2 City Council members, 3 Planning Commissioners, 2 members of the Economic Development Committee, 1 member of the Parks and Trails Committee and 3 to 5 residents.  North Ogden's City Manager, Planner and Lawyer will be assigned as staff to aid this Committee.

The City has applied for two planning grants to help fund the cost of this update.  The first grant will aid updating the general plan and the second grant will help develop a concept plan for a "downtown" commercial area.

2)  The City Council approved modifications to its contract with Better Cities for economic development consulting.  The Council identified 5 project areas for Better Cities to focus on.

Project 1:  Smith's Block Revitalization - This project entails helping to fill the soon-to-be vacated Smith’s grocery store with new tenants.

Project 2:  Kings Block Revitalization - This project involves crafting a redevelopment strategy to rehabilitate or remove the empty/blighted land and buildings to create a retail and/or mixed-use center that is attractive and tax revenue generating.

Project 3:  Barker Property: This area is the vacant land to the north and west of Walgreens. The objective is to recruit retail/commercial tenants or a developer that could recruit tenants that would produce significant
tax receipts, economic activity and beautification for the City.

Project 4:  Washington Boulevard Redevelopment:   The City needs a demonstration project to show how the Washington Boulevard commercial frontage can be redeveloped in an attractive way.

Project 5:  Public Works Building Reuse - This would require an analysis of the potential reuse of the current buildings or the removal of the existing structures and redevelopment of the site.

3)  The City Council approved an interlocal agreement with Weber County authorizing the City to oversee the development of a portion of Country Boy Dairy while the owner annexes the property into the City.  The agreement was approved by the County Commission earlier that day.

The property owner is in the process of annexing the front portion of their property that used to house the Country Boy Dairy. They are leasing this ground to Sacco’s Produce who is in the process of going through a site plan review, building permits, and business licensing.

4)  The City Council cancelled the April 8th City Council meeting in that they will attend a Utah League of Cities and Towns Convention during that week.

For more information, please call the City office at (801) 782-7211.