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Officials review HTRZ tool and how Ogden might use it at Union Station and Capitol Square
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Summary
City staff explained Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zones (HTRZ) as a tax-increment financing tool tied to transit stops, outlined affordability and density thresholds, and identified Union Station and the former Rite Aid block (Capitol Square) as potential local candidates.
Jared Johnson, community economic development for Ogden City, gave a detailed overview of Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zones and how the city might use them to support transit-oriented affordable housing.
Johnson said the statutory framework ("title 63 n chapter 3 part 6") defines HTRZ affordable housing and sets local requirements. "The affordable housing percentage requirement says that at least 12% of the total units must be affordable, and this must include at least 9% of the units have to be at 80% AMI, and at least 3% have to be at the 60% AMI," Johnson said. He noted that local governments must include an affordable-housing plan; deed restrictions are allowed but not required.
Johnson described the financing mechanism for HTRZs as tax-increment financing (TIF): the municipality captures incremental tax revenue from development within the project area to fund incentives. He said the statute includes limits on capture periods and the percentage of increment that can be collected, and that the rules differ depending on whether the zone is tied to a regional rail stop or a bus rapid transit (BRT) line. On density, he said a typical HTRZ requires 51% of the developable area to be residential, with average density benchmarks such as 50 dwelling units per acre for rail stops and 39 units per acre for BRT.
Johnson also outlined the HTRZ review committee and approval process: applications are submitted to the governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), which notifies taxing entities and contracts an independent gap-analysis firm (the city pays for that analysis). He said the review committee includes representatives from affected municipalities, the county, the school district (two seats), transit agencies and GOEO; once approved, taxing entities are compelled to participate under the statute.
On local application, Johnson identified two areas under consideration: Union Station, tied to existing rail service and a campus master plan, and Capitol Square (the former Rite Aid block) adjacent to a BRT stop where the RDA already controls property. He said the city would prepare GIS maps, verify developable land and assess compatibility with existing uses before pursuing an HTRZ.
Next steps: Johnson said staff will supply presentation materials to commissioners for review and follow-up questions. No formal action or votes were taken at the work session.
