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Residents press Ogden leaders to keep Taylor Canyon green; mayor promises study and more time
Summary
Hundreds of residents urged the council to preserve the surplus Taylor Canyon school site as parkland. The mayor said the school district agreed to allow more time beyond the 90‑day statutory review for a space‑utilization study and neighborhood engagement and said he will not propose high‑density apartments.
A large turnout of Ogden residents on Tuesday urged the mayor and city council to preserve the former Taylor Canyon Elementary School site as green space rather than allowing high‑density development.
Residents described daily use of the site by families and children, listed neighborhood survey results, and urged council members to consider options such as a community land trust and improved park amenities. Elsa Bowman, identifying herself as a mother and longtime resident, said, "This space is already very well used and loved by residents and it provides a large area for activities like soccer that the nearby parks just can't accommodate in the same way." Arlo Kunzler traced the site’s history and said the green space had been used for generations.
Mayor (name not stated in the transcript) told the assembled residents the school district had declared the property surplus and notified the city of the 90‑day statutory window, but that the district had agreed to allow additional time while Ogden conducts a space‑utilization study and neighborhood engagement. The mayor said, "No final decisions have been made... I am not gonna put forward a haphazard, rushed approach to this. I wanna look at every opportunity and every option before us."
Speakers pressed the council to avoid rezoning until the city completes studies and outreach. Some residents also raised practical concerns about topography, parking and whether the site could be made accessible and safe: Council and staff noted the property’s steep slope and potential earthwork and parking implications that would affect amenity choices.
Council members thanked residents for participation and reiterated that no final council action had been scheduled; the mayor said he would not propose apartments for the site on his watch and encouraged continued public input as staff and the council develop the usage study and engagement plan.
The matter remains in study and engagement; residents asked for a formal community process before any rezoning or sale decisions are made.
