Ogden council adopts intent-to-purchase resolution for Taylor Canyon school site after debate over open-space language

Ogden City Council members voted Dec. 2 to adopt Resolution 2025-23, authorizing the city to notify the Ogden School District of its intent to pursue purchase of the former Taylor Canyon Elementary School site and begin appraisal and negotiation steps.

Jeremy Smith, who presented the item, told the council the parcel was the former Taylor Canyon Elementary site that was demolished in 2022 and that the school district notified the city on Sept. 2 of its intent to surplus the property under Utah state code. "This site is 4.23 acres," Smith said, and the notice gives the city a statutory right of first refusal; the resolution simply registers the city's interest so appraisals and negotiations can proceed, he said. Smith said an appraisal typically takes about a month and costs "somewhere in that ballpark" of about $2,000.

The council debated whether language in the proposed resolution that stated the city had "determined there is strong community support maintaining the property for open space" should remain. Several members and residents said preserving open space is the neighborhood's preference; others said the clause would "handcuff" future discussions about the site's best use and about how appraisals should value the land.

"There are provisions where you can say, 'If you were to use this as open space, what would the value be?'" Smith said, describing an appraisal approach that could include an open-space valuation as a negotiation point with the district. One council member cited a roughly $2,000,000 parks-acquisition fund that might be available, but said the eventual price will determine whether the city needs a separate budget action.

A motion by Vice Chair Hyer to strike the third whereas (the clause asserting community support to keep the site as open space) was seconded and approved by voice vote. The council then voted to adopt the amended Resolution 2025-23 by roll call; multiple members answered "Aye," and the chair announced the resolution passed. The action does not create a binding purchase contract; it authorizes the city to move forward with appraisal and negotiation steps within the state's statutory timeline.

Residents who addressed the council during public comment urged continued engagement with the school district and voiced a range of views. Rob Allred, a longtime Ogden resident and local real estate professional, said buying the parcel should be seen as a reallocation of public funding rather than paying twice: "If the school board doesn't get it, my property tax can go up," he said. Other speakers urged the council to preserve open space and to clarify maintenance and redevelopment costs, with one council member citing informal price estimates between $3 million and $5 million to purchase and about $7 million to redevelop a nearby park as context for long-term costs.

Council members and staff said they will continue discussions with the school district, pursue appraisals, and share the parks-utilization study and other background information as it becomes available. Because the state statute imposes a 90-day process for surplus notices, the resolution preserves the city's right to engage but leaves final acquisition and any budget decisions to later steps.

The council also adjourned into a closed session later in the evening for a listed statutory matter and returned to complete additional public comments before adjourning for the night.