After long hearing, commission recommends denial of requested Randall rezoning; suggests Council consider R15 instead

After an extended public hearing and deliberation, the North Ogden Planning Commission recommended that City Council deny the developer’s requested rezoning for the Randall property at 715 East 2100 North. Commissioners voted to send a denial recommendation while suggesting Council consider rezoning the parcel to R15 (small‑lot residential) rather than allowing the higher‑intensity R4/multifamily typology the applicant had requested.

Staff and the applicant described changes from prior versions: the current proposal reduced overall unit count and includes 40 townhomes and about 43 single‑family lots with an average density near 5.55 units per acre. Staff noted the project would require significant infrastructure—Monroe Boulevard alignment, canal piping, stormwater and sewer/water coordination—and that some cost sharing or reimbursement mechanisms are typical for water/road work. The developer, Tanner Webster, said the team reduced units in response to resident input and plans to work with the canal company to pipe the canal and pursue water‑use exceptions where needed.

More than a dozen residents spoke in opposition at the hearing. Key resident concerns were: - The proposal conflicts with the master plan’s low‑density single‑family designation (RE20) and would set a precedent for up‑zoning adjacent holdings; residents urged retaining R20. - Infrastructure burden: several speakers said the full Monroe Boulevard build is expensive and should not be solved solely by increasing density on a single parcel; some urged city participation in road funding. - Private streets, narrow access and snow storage: residents and a contractor raised detailed operational problems with narrow private roads and snow storage on narrow lots. - Canal and water rights: staff said the canal company has a 40‑ft easement and that canal piping and wetland mitigation would require separate approvals.

Commissioners acknowledged the resident input and the developer’s adjustments. After discussion, the commission moved to recommend denial of the applicant’s requested rezoning as presented and to suggest the council consider an R15 zoning alternative that preserves yard space by allowing two‑story homes rather than spreading density horizontally. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: the Planning Commission’s recommendation will go to City Council for a public hearing and final action; the developer may revise the proposal or proceed to Council regardless.