Ogden City officials are getting ready to release drafts of the Junction City’s proposed overhauls of its zoning code and general plan.

It’s the first time since 2002 that Ogden will create a new general plan, which will shape the city’s future through 2050.

That plan, along with a refreshed zoning code, will be the foundation of any future construction and redevelopment in Ogden, as the city is expected to add between 16,000 to 28,000 new residents and 11,000 to 21,000 new jobs by 2050, according to city projections. 

While recent meetings gave outlines of what could change, most, if not all of the potential changes are still up in the air — meaning there’s still room for public input. 

Last month, the Ogden Planning Commission outlined a handful of zoning code alterations on the table. Possible changes ranged from cleaning up lingering issues — like creating a zone specifically for campuses like Weber State University, which is currently zoned as single-family residential — to larger changes, according to Barton Brierley, Ogden’s planning manager. 

Another idea on the table is the creation of a “canyon gateway” zone at the mouth of Ogden Canyon along 12th Street. The potential zone, which was discussed in the city planning commission last month, would be created with an emphasis on hospitality and allow for development like hotels and limited retail space. 

Brierley said the purpose of zone alteration would be to target tourists, luring them away from staying in the Ogden Valley. 

“Instead of going up to Eden and renting a place, maybe they stay in Ogden, maybe they have dinner here, maybe they rent a mountain bike here,” Brierley said. 

Future meeting dates

Brierley said the city’s Plan Ogden initiative will have its next public meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 23 at Ogden Union Station. A Spanish-speaking session will take place at 6 p.m. the next day, Oct. 24, in Union Station. 

The city is still accepting public input, as all Ogden residents are encouraged to fill out a questionnaire to voice their opinions on the city’s future. The questionnaire is also available in Spanish.

Brierley added the city is planning to release zoning code drafts in the coming months, which will be the topic of future public meetings.