Planning commission sends mixed-rezone recommendation for 600 East/2100 North to council after heated public hearing

The North Ogden Planning Commission voted to forward a recommendation to city council for a mixed rezoning of a roughly 15-acre parcel at 600 East and 2100 North after an extended public hearing and lengthy commissioner deliberations. The recommendation asks the council to consider a mix of zones (approximately 12% R-18, about 13.33% R-4, and roughly 75% R-15) and requested that the R-4 pocket be concentrated adjacent to canal open space to preserve neighborhood buffers.

Ryan Nunn, the city planner, told the commission the property is about 15 acres and that staff supports rezoning to small-lot single-family (R-15) with a small multifamily pocket (R-4) because the change helps the city meet elements of its moderate-income housing plan. "With the rezone to R-15 and R-4, it would help meet one of those goals," Nunn said.

Developer representatives acknowledged public concerns and offered adjustments to reduce the R-4 area. Chris Cave, representing the developer, said the project was revised to increase single-family acreage and concentrate townhomes inward, and offered restrictions the developer said would help the project fit the area, including a 60% owner-occupancy requirement for the first five years on the townhomes and a 30-day priority buying window for local public servants.

Residents and neighborhood groups strongly opposed a higher-density build-out. Allison Anderson, speaking for neighbors, said the petition opposing high-density and multifamily options had grown to 730 signatures and asked the commission to preserve the area's low-density character. "We have a petition opposing high density housing and multifamilies that we turned in last time and that has since grown to 730 signatures," Anderson said.

Commissioners debated several options including all-R-15, a smaller R-4 pocket, and adding R-18 buffers. Commissioners also discussed public-safety and infrastructure concerns raised by residents: stormwater, sewer grades, narrow private streets, parking and snow removal.

After a substituted motion and amendments seeking a compromise that emphasizes green space near the canal and lowers the percentage of R-4, the commission recorded a roll-call vote: Commissioner Watson yes; Commissioner Webb no; Commissioner Neighbour yes; Commissioner Gardner yes; Commissioner Green yes; Chair yes. The positive recommendation will be forwarded to the city council for a final decision and possible development-agreement negotiation.