Council denies Big O Tires sidewalk deferral; requires 10-foot multiuse path on Washington Boulevard

The North Ogden City Council denied a request from Big O Tires to defer construction of a widened sidewalk along Washington Boulevard and instructed the applicant to construct a 10-foot-wide multiuse sidewalk.

Scott Hess, community and economic development director, told council staff’s standard for Washington Boulevard calls for a 10-foot-wide shared-use path and that widths could be reduced to a minimum of 8 feet only in narrow, physical-constraint cases. Staff noted the location connects to an existing 10-foot sidewalk to the south and a planned trailhead for Coldwater Creek, and it therefore recommends the 10-foot standard here.

Applicant Jason Westbrook, owner of Big O Tires, said he had been working with city staff on site plan changes since February 2024 and expressed frustration that the process had taken many months and required additional engineering expense. Westbrook told the council he was prepared to install a 10-foot sidewalk if that is the city’s direction.

Council members discussed equitable application of sidewalk standards and the long-term aim of building a continuous multiuse path along Washington Boulevard to serve new and existing development. Council member Barker moved to deny the deferral request; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously, meaning the 10-foot requirement will apply to the site. Council and staff advised the applicant to coordinate with UDOT on any encroachment permit required within the state right-of-way and said staff will accept a redlined plan showing the 10-foot sidewalk rather than requiring a costly full site-plan redraw.

Staff cautioned that, in some instances, relocating an existing stormwater inlet in UDOT right-of-way could require engineering work that might carry additional costs and that the applicant should pursue UDOT encroachment review promptly.