Happy Birthday To The Ogden Valley Forum

Five years old and just getting started!

With all of the brouhaha surrounding the Royal Wedding, we nearly forgot our 5th birthday.  On April 28, 2006, the Ogden Valley Forum was born with this riveting post:

Many changes are occurring in and around our valley. Whether you are a long term and full time resident, or a more recent part time transplant, these many changes and issues will affect us all. Growth, traffic, and Sewage and water issues are a huge concern and have been limited largely to the north side of the valley, but there are now several developments proposed on the South side. Large developments that are in various stages of planning and approval from the County.

This venue is intended to serve as a non-partisan public community forum, providing citizens of Ogden Valley Utah a cyber focal point within which to discuss, debate and rant about any and all local governmental policies and issues in and around Huntsville, Eden and Liberty, Utah.

Users are invited to visit, chat, argue, bicker, promote and co-ordinate political events, post, link and read articles, and whatever else -- so long as they observe a reasonable level of civility and decorum. For those folks new to blogging, consider this blog a cyber "letters-to-editor" venue, with a lot more of a free-wheeling attitude than you'll find in your hometown newspaper.

If you want to put in your $.02, just post your own comments with the comments button. The comments interface is similar to the one you probably use for regular email. For those of you more familiar with the ways of the blogosphere, you already know the drill, so have at it and enjoy.

 After 5 years, now is a good time to reflect.  Have we lived up to our original goals?

Let us know while we celebrate with a slice of cake, a scoop of ice cream and a glass Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Juice.

The Ogden Valley Planning Commission denies changes

On Tuesday night, the Ogden Valley Planning Commissioners voted unanimously (7 to 0) to recommend denial of a request to amend and change the plans for the Edgewater Beach Resort located at HWY. 39 and Old Snow Basin Rd. At one point the Commissioners appeared ready to table the request, but instead reversed course and recommended denial of the proposed changes for several specific reasons.

This property, now owned by Celtic Bank, has been the subject of numerous changes and modification proposals since 2003. The Commissioners indicated that each new modification seems to denigrate the original intent of the development and raised may questions on several issues. It was originally owned by a local developer who lost it to the lending bank a few years ago.

The request to amend and change the plans for the resort will go to the Weber County Commissioners for review and a final vote. No date has been set for this hearing.

An agenda item regarding zoning changes for helicopter service in Ogden Valley was tabled until June to allow the Planning Commission members to review the broader issues of all aircraft use in Ogden Valley.

Ogden Valley Residents, your help is urgently needed!

Postal regulations may affect our post offices

There are proposed postal regulations that may affect our post offices here in the Ogden Valley. They are planning to close small-to-medium size post offices nationwide for economic reasons. Please contact your Senators and Congressmen by April 30, 2011 and ask them not to close post offices here in the Ogden Valley. Let them know how much you need and appreciate your post office by calling, faxing, or writing to them with the information listed below. Explain why we need our post offices.. Time is of the essence and you must act now in an effort to prevent this from happening. Please forward this to as a many individuals as possible.

It is important that you contact your Federal Representatives on this issue, Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator Mike Lee and Representative Rob Bishop. Their e-mail and regular mail along with their telephone numbers are available at the VCRD website www.vcrdutah.org under resources and contact local decison makers.

Meeting Tomorrow Night to REMOVE HELIPORT from the CV Zones

We just received notice of this meeting by email:

Be sure to attend the meeting tomorrow night to REMOVE HELIPORT from the CV zones.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Planning Commission Chambers 5:00

Dave Holmstrom and Lee Schussman petitioned the county to remove this use.

Staff is recommending against it.   i.e. in favor of Helicopters in CV zones

Having people there who are opposed to constant overflights by helicopters in residential areas would be helpful. Thanks.

The agenda in its entirety is available by clicking here.

Green Valley Acadamy Update

Happy Easter everyone!

There have been a few new developments in the Green Valley Academy saga.

First, we were forwarded this email:

Hey Folks!

Just an update. On Monday April 18, 2011 an injunction was filed in Judicial Court regarding GVA.  We would like to extend our appreciation to Chris and Sue Johnson and Kathy Peterson for all their work in making this happen. In the coming days we will have updates as to the result and any hearing dates that might be attendable by the public.  Again just a reminder about the Fund at Zions Bank under the name "Ogden Valley Protection Fund" any donations are greatly appreciated. 

Ogden Valley Protection Counsel
   "For the Greater Good of the Valley"

We also were tipped off of the following in an anonymous post, which we did not publish since the author could not follow our simple rules:

Deed recorded April 14th, to BALMER watch for the well driller soon,,..... 

We checked it out on the Weber County GIS site and the deed for Serial # 21-025-0012

is in fact in  the name of:

BALMER, JARED & BULLOCH, MIKE ETAL

Huntsville Planning Town Wide Cleanup Saturday

 For media updates and photos of the Huntsville wind damage, visit their Facebook Page.

https://www.facebook.com/HuntsvilleTown

We also hear they are planning a town wide clean up Saturday Morning @ 8:30 AM


Here are more details if you want to join in their fun.

Report and Summary of Last Night's Public Hearing regarding the Huntsville and Southern Ogden Valley Sewer Study

This morning we will promote two comments and reports from last nights meeting to the front page.

First, from Ron Gleason

Had approximately 100 people attend the meeting last night. Many good questions from the audience.

My summary:

State is pushing hard for sewer system for Huntsville and South end of the valley. They are convinced, with no empirical evidence, that removal of septic tanks will help protect the quality of the water in Pineview and the ground water in this end of the valley.

Grants and loans are being dangles as carrots; $3.8 million for a grant and $10.2 million loan at 0% for 30 years.

The state is painting the picture that this will be the cheapest option homeowners will ever see; $58 per month versus an amount up to $120 a month if we are forced to do something in the future with bond money.

The town of Huntsville City Council and Weber County Commissioners are taking input. The town will accept input till May 26th and vote on whether to move forward June 2nd. The county is vague on their process.

Time to formulate your stance and let your public officials know where you stand.

In response, Valley Advocate had this to say,

Some of us in attendance last night In Huntsville were struck by the lack of leadership from our State and County officials.

We elect our County and State leaders to make hard decisions on difficult issues. Instead, what we heard were vague references on what might happen down the road if we don't do anything about the pollution that is affecting Pineview reservoir. While it is important to canvass the affected public on their views on Pineview pollution, it is incumbent on the leaders of the County and State to act based on their best information since they are the experts. If we leave the decision to residents about costs and possible explosive growth if we put in a good sewer system, (all valid concerns) we may miss the opportunity to address what may prove to be a serious threat to our lifestyle in the Valley.

At some point, acting in a definitive manner about the pollution of Pineview reservoir WON'T be an option if the pollution continues at the present pace. When that happens, draconian measures may be imposed on Ogden Valley residents to try and save the body of water that means so much to Ogden Valley and Weber County.

As we see in Washington DC, it is very easy to kick the can down the road and let someone else fix the problem. Consider this, would the State water people be examining our reservoir if there was nothing to worry about? There are clear indications that unless action is taken on the pollution of Pineview, we face some serious consequences in future.

Now we turn it over to our Ogden Valley Faithful. What say ye?

Steve Clarke had this to add:

Sewer Public Hearing Comments 4/20/2011

By Steve Clarke

1. Bottom Line

a. The Positives: This very valuable study provides education for Valley residents on wastewater treatment alternatives. It will help us make informed choices. Thank you. (One can only wish more residents studied the proposal.)

b. The State DWQ offer to help fund implementation is a powerful carrot.

c. We have time to learn more about water quality issues in Pineview and address the problems.

d. The Negatives: We must not let the Trojan horse of sewer destroy the General Plan goal of preserving the rural atmosphere and promoting open space. We must choose sewer implementation that moves us toward the goal, not away from it. Zoning is driven by the presence of sewer, not the other way around. Small lots are inevitable next to sewer lines.

e. The type of system chosen must not be dictated by purchase price, but by life-cycle costs. This study distorts life cycle costs because the funding process is designed to favor lowest initial cost.

f. We should find a way to pay for a system that meets WATER QUALITY, COST, and LAND USE PLANNING goals. The level of treatment is a matter for the experts, the State DWQ among them. The state is not the only option to pay for systems we need. For example the County could bond for a system. All of us need to be involved in Land Use Planning.

g. The Conclusion: YES we should have sewer for our highest density areas (Huntsville is one of those) implemented in a way that doesn’t set the stage for unbridled growth. We should be looking at multiple “micro plants” each to serve a high density node. It may be that Huntsville could be invited to be served by a County financed and run system.

2. The VISION

a. Sewer Districts – We already have 17 sewer districts in the Valley, Wolf Creek is the largest and almost all others are very small. The most cost effective plan would have a single sewer district in the Valley, optimizing technology, policies, planning, training, operations, maintenance, accounting and billing, testing, and reporting. Existing districts should be encouraged to join a single district. The Wolf Creek District has recently been tasked by the State to serve the entire North Fork drainage. The idea of expanding that district to serve all of us on the Valley floor should at least be investigated.

b. Technology – Wolf Creek uses a Biological Membrane system called an MBR. It is very effective in removing pollutants but more expensive to operate than most other systems. It was chosen for its quality and compatibility with the Valley plan; it is housed in a barn-like structure. It is built for expansion. The three most recent smaller systems are Orenco AdvanTex systems which use a fiber filter technology. One serves up to 100 homes, one serves 26 homes and one serves the new Valley Elementary school. This technology is scalable and in my opinion should be considered very carefully.

c. Rural Atmosphere – Traditionally Valley growth has been focused in Huntsville, Eden, and Liberty. The Wolf Creek Resort is a center of growth, the Powder Mountain Plan and the Snow Basin Plan will create dense centers of growth as well. Our General Plan predicts a total of 7 resorts might eventually be located in our township. The Plan estimates that eventually we might have 40,000 people instead of the 6,000 we have now. To preserve the rural atmosphere the plan calls for high density development in villages which may be coincident with the resorts (like Wolf Creek), or separate, like Huntsville and Eden. As many long views and as much open space and wildlife as possible would be preserved while preserving individual property rights.

d. Sewer in the General Plan – In the Recommended Policies Section of the Recreation Element – “Weber County would encourage development of limited capacity sewer systems to serve the projected demand for each proposed village area. The investment reduces start-up capital costs required by developers. Sewer systems are limited to within a reasonable geographic area for each village development to reduce sewer pipe miles and reduce density speculation between villages.”
There are at least 6 other references to sewer planning in the General Plan that are consistent with the reduction of cost and preservation of the rural atmosphere.

e. Summary: Eventually a very high percentage of homes in the Valley will be served by sewer (est. >90%) while perhaps 20% of the acreage of the populated area would have trunk lines. All residents not on sewer would be part of the District and would have some level of inspection and services and would pay a minimal amount.

3. Tonight’s Decision

a. Huntsville Town should make its own decision as to whether this is the right time and plan for sewer. If and as Huntsville Town annexes additional property they can make a decision about serving that area with sewer.

b. Weber County should redouble planning efforts to create a long range plan for sewer which accomplishes the goals of the General Plan. Since the Plan was updated last with the Recreation Element in 2005 it is likely some amount of refresh is needed and that should occur quickly so a prospective sewer district could do effective planning.

c. Water Quality studies should continue to more accurately attribute pollution to its sources.

Respectfully, Stephen D. Clarke, 5824 E. 2200N. Eden 84310, sdclarke@oValley.net

Public Hearing Wednesday regarding the Huntsville and Southern Ogden Valley Sewer Study

Guest Post by Ron Gleason

Reminder that there is a public meeting Wednesday April 20, 2011 at 7pm at the Huntsville library to review the details of the Huntsville and Southern Ogden Valley Sewer Study.

The study can be found at this link http://www.co.weber.ut.us/engineering/pdf/MASTER%20Huntsville%20Facilities%20Plan%20Report%203-14-11.pdf

It is important for you to attend so you understand why a sewer system is being considered, what is the process and who is going to make the final decision, how might you be affected, what are the potential costs and much more.

Representatives from Weber County Engineering, Town Huntsville Town Council, Sunrise Engineering and Utah Department of Water Quality will be in attendance to address and answer your question

See you there and please tell your neighbors

Lost and Found Dogs - Do you recognize these pets?

During a visit to the post office, we noted three lost dogs.  Two have been found and one that is still missing.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

There was also a note regarding a lost Golden Retriever:

Please Help Us Find Charlie
 - A sweet Golden Retriever.
Last seen Friday 4-8-2011
in Huntsville near
400 South 7400 East
HE NEEDS DAILY MEDICATION
Please call Becky Wood
801-391-3508
REWARD

Please help us reunite these pets with their owners.

Two Important Posts!

Heliport for Red Moose Lodge is denied

Today the Weber County Commission by a vote of 3 to 0 sustained the decision of the Ogden Valley Planning Commission to deny the appeal of the Heliport at Red Moose Lodge.

During the public input on this issue, the three County Commissioners made it clear that while they all supported the idea of a Heliport somewhere in Ogden Valley if an ideal location could be found, they did not support the Heliport in the Eden area at Red Moose Lodge.

It was noted by one of the Commissioners that many flights have been made over the years from Ogden Valley without having the proper zoning and permits in place for such flights.

It was also noted by the Commissioners, that under existing Resort zoning ordinances, flights from Snow Basin are only allowed within the boundaries of the Snow Basin Resort.

A Hold is placed on the establishment of an Administrative Control Board for the Ski Lake Special Service District.

The Weber County Commission voted unanimously to place the Ski Lake sewer issue on hold pending additional information and research into the 2004 management agreement between Mountain Sewer and Weber County. In addition, the Commissioners agreed to consider the request by the Mountain Sewer user’s group of a complete, independent financial audit of the books of Mountain Sewer prior to any establishment of a user’s Administrative Control Board.

Important Weber County Commission Meeting Tuesday - Heliport and Ski Lake Special District

Heliport and Ski Lake Special Service District on the agenda.


Another important meeting is scheduled for Tuesday:


Commission Chambers of the Weber Center
2380 Washington Boulevard, Ogden, Utah
at 10:00 a.m. 
Tuesday, the 5th day of April 2011.

Click here to view the agenda 


We will highlight two important items:

2.           Request for approval of a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Weber County establishing an Administrative Control Board for the Ski Lake Special Service District.

              Presenter: Commissioner Zogmaister

4.           Consideration and/or action on an appeal of the Ogden Valley Planning Commission decision denying a conditional use permit (CUP 2010-04) for a private heliport located at the Red Moose Lodge in Eden, located at 2547 North Valley Junction Drive.

              Presenter: Ben Hatfield

Our humble readers will remember some issues related to the Ski Lake Sewer.  For more details, search the Ogden Valley Forum for "ski lake" and "Ron Catanzero" using the search box on the right sidebar.  [Blogmeister's note: we would typically provide a simple to use link to the search item, but we are posting from a country that has banned access to the Forum.  Thus, you will have to do some of your own simple research.]

As for the heliport issue, we suggest you do the same to get up to speed on the issue - search "heliport" using the search box on the right side bar.

Regular readers will recall this issue has been ongoing for the last two ski seasons.  After a falling out with Powder Mountain, where Diamond Peaks Heli-sking had operated for years, the ski helicopter operator was flying out of the Red Moose Lodge during the 2009-10 ski season without the county required permits and approvals.  The county ordinance official gave the operators a cease and desist order but County Commissioner Jan Zogmaister exercised a rarely used emergency action to allow Diamond Peaks to continue through the 2010 ski season.

The petitioners recently went before the Ogden Valley Planning Commission to request a conditional use permit (CUP 2010-04) for a private heliport located at the Red Moose Lodge in Eden.  The request was ultimately denied and the petitioners have appealed to the County Commissioners.


It should be noted that Diamond Peaks has been operating out of Snowbasin this year, so the denial has not prevented Diamond Peaks from flying - it has only stopped them from flying out of the Red Moose Lodge Property.  In fact, from the Facebook Page "Keep Diamond Peaks Heli-Ski Adventures in the Ogden Valley," this was posted on March 16, 2011:

Diamond Peaks Heli-Ski Adventures is proud to say that we are now operating out of Snowbasin. They have treated us very well and we look forward to excellent mutual business together for the remainder of the season and seasons to come.

We at the forum applaud this new development and feel this is a win win situation for all - Diamond Peaks, Snowbasin, their guests and Ogden Valley residents.

We have heard rumors that the out of state owner of the Red Moose Lodge has the property for sale on the real estate market.  The last thing Ogden Valley needs is another precedence being set.  In this case, a heliport that would transfer and be grandfathered to the new owner, even though the original user (Diamond Peaks) has moved on and has properly found a new suitor.  Congratulations to Diamond Peaks.


Your attendance at the Tuesday meeting is crucial, but it is even more important that you contact the commissioners now to provide them input on these important issues.  If you wait to contact them on Tuesday, it will be too late.


We have included the email addresses for the County Commissioners.  Now it's time to send them a clear message.
Craig Dearden cdearden@co.weber.ut.us
Jan Zogmaister jzogmaister@co.weber.ut.us
Kerry Gibson kgibson@co.weber.ut.us