Here is the agenda hot off the press:
March 27th OVPC meeting
Once again, a full agenda with many important items. We must fill the chambers with a standing room only crowd!
REBECCA PALMER of the Standard Examiner wrote about the March 14th Planning Commission meeting. Click here to view her article.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
East Huntsville Planning Committe
Starting in January of 2007 a group of folks started the East Huntsville Planning Committee to provide feedback to the Ogden Valley Planning Commissioners. A few of the OVPC's asked that a group get together because of all the activity in East Huntsville area.
We are having regular meetings at the library and getting organized. After we work out a few kinks I will post meeting times and locations here and in the Valley paper. One issue is getting a good sizes meeting room, the library is often booked.
Stay tuned
Ron Gleason
Chairperson, EHPC
We are having regular meetings at the library and getting organized. After we work out a few kinks I will post meeting times and locations here and in the Valley paper. One issue is getting a good sizes meeting room, the library is often booked.
Stay tuned
Ron Gleason
Chairperson, EHPC
OVPC meeting outcome
I was not able to attend the meeting it is my understanding that the waste water treatment plant capacity was capped at 225 residential hook ups, they were going for 700. This is a significant issue as the plant can only service Bison Creek, Trappers Crossing and The Rivers. We will have to see if the petitioners decide to appeal the decision to the county commissioners. Can they afford the plant at only 225 connections.
I also understand that the water tank issue was tabled till they determine a new place, lower on the hill, and redo the access road.
Ron Gleason
I also understand that the water tank issue was tabled till they determine a new place, lower on the hill, and redo the access road.
Ron Gleason
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Eden Planning Committee Meeting
The Eden Planning Committee will hold a meeting on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 4:00 PM at:
The Red Moose Lodge
2547 N. Valley Junction Drive
Eden, UT 84310
The Public is welcome to attend.
The Red Moose Lodge
2547 N. Valley Junction Drive
Eden, UT 84310
The Public is welcome to attend.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Another Long Night At The Planning Commission (revised)
Revised March 22, 2007
The tradition of lengthy planning commission meetings continued Wednesday to the benefit of local developers. Destination Eden (John Lewis/Barry Schwartz)received the preliminary go ahead for conditional use permits on two projects related to their monstrous Bison Creek Ranch Subdivision. Other developers received approval for their projects.
The much hyped, state of the art (membrane bio-reactor) waste water treatment facility, aka sewage treatment plant, was approved with a few restrictions. The beautiful building must be moved north of Highway 39 and away from current homes - a small win for those in the neighborhood.
Also, Destination Eden had requested conditional use approval for infrastructure relating to their Culinary water substation, which will hold water provided by Eden Waterworks (thank you Eden Waterworks for promoting the Californication of our Valley). After much discussion, the commission voted to table the storage tank due to concerns over placement. They would like it to be placed on the lower of two adjacent knolls. In typical fashion, Jim Banks and Verl Creager voted against tabling the project, while the other commissioners voted to table. Another small victory.
Destination Eden was not the only one to cash in Wednesday night as Bill Benson (Park City) of Trappers Crossing received approval for a similar culinary project which will also become part of the Eden Waterworks Company.
Trappers Crossing will be in the Huntsville area South and East of Chris' and adjacent to the old Trappers Loop road. As an aside, developers who included Eden resident Ben Toone, made an attempt to purchase Chris' Saloon and the Jackson Fork Inn nearly a year ago. They wanted the property to provide access to their proposed subdivision. When the deal ultimately fell through, they were able to purchase property from the neighbors directly to the east of the Jackson Fork Inn and will now have access to their development.
On a smaller note, Ward Acres received final approval for phase three at 3150 East 4150 North, Liberty. This will be for 5 lots on 18+ acres and will use Liberty water and individual septic systems.
The next Ogden Valley Planning Commission meeting will be March 27, 2007 at 4:30 PM and will be another showdown when another developer (Clark Wangsgard) will be seeking preliminary approval for the Two Rivers Subdivision located just south of Huntsville Town in what has always been known as the "river bottoms." Just like Bison Creek Ranch, this development is proposed in wetlands, hence the name "Two Rivers." It will be important to have a large, standing room only crowd for this meeting as well.
Lastly, we will offer a plug for the "Valley Residents for Responsible Growth" organization. This grass roots group meets regularly at the Ogden Valley Branch of the Weber County Library and provides valuable input (albeit unsolicited) to the planning commission. Members may join by paying a nominal fee of $10. We will try to secure more contact information, so if you are intested send an email to ogdenvalley@gmail.com and you will be put you in touch with the group.
Rebecca Palmer from the Standard Examiner did a great job of covering the meeting. To view her article, click here.
The tradition of lengthy planning commission meetings continued Wednesday to the benefit of local developers. Destination Eden (John Lewis/Barry Schwartz)received the preliminary go ahead for conditional use permits on two projects related to their monstrous Bison Creek Ranch Subdivision. Other developers received approval for their projects.
The much hyped, state of the art (membrane bio-reactor) waste water treatment facility, aka sewage treatment plant, was approved with a few restrictions. The beautiful building must be moved north of Highway 39 and away from current homes - a small win for those in the neighborhood.
Also, Destination Eden had requested conditional use approval for infrastructure relating to their Culinary water substation, which will hold water provided by Eden Waterworks (thank you Eden Waterworks for promoting the Californication of our Valley). After much discussion, the commission voted to table the storage tank due to concerns over placement. They would like it to be placed on the lower of two adjacent knolls. In typical fashion, Jim Banks and Verl Creager voted against tabling the project, while the other commissioners voted to table. Another small victory.
Destination Eden was not the only one to cash in Wednesday night as Bill Benson (Park City) of Trappers Crossing received approval for a similar culinary project which will also become part of the Eden Waterworks Company.
Trappers Crossing will be in the Huntsville area South and East of Chris' and adjacent to the old Trappers Loop road. As an aside, developers who included Eden resident Ben Toone, made an attempt to purchase Chris' Saloon and the Jackson Fork Inn nearly a year ago. They wanted the property to provide access to their proposed subdivision. When the deal ultimately fell through, they were able to purchase property from the neighbors directly to the east of the Jackson Fork Inn and will now have access to their development.
On a smaller note, Ward Acres received final approval for phase three at 3150 East 4150 North, Liberty. This will be for 5 lots on 18+ acres and will use Liberty water and individual septic systems.
The next Ogden Valley Planning Commission meeting will be March 27, 2007 at 4:30 PM and will be another showdown when another developer (Clark Wangsgard) will be seeking preliminary approval for the Two Rivers Subdivision located just south of Huntsville Town in what has always been known as the "river bottoms." Just like Bison Creek Ranch, this development is proposed in wetlands, hence the name "Two Rivers." It will be important to have a large, standing room only crowd for this meeting as well.
Lastly, we will offer a plug for the "Valley Residents for Responsible Growth" organization. This grass roots group meets regularly at the Ogden Valley Branch of the Weber County Library and provides valuable input (albeit unsolicited) to the planning commission. Members may join by paying a nominal fee of $10. We will try to secure more contact information, so if you are intested send an email to ogdenvalley@gmail.com and you will be put you in touch with the group.
Rebecca Palmer from the Standard Examiner did a great job of covering the meeting. To view her article, click here.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Ogden Valley Planning Commission meeting 3/14/07
The OVPC is meeting twice a month due to the large number of items to cover.
The next meeting is Wednesday March 14th at 4:30 at the County Building. The agenda and staff reports are at March 14th OVPC meeting
This meeting is very important as the proposed regional sewer system based at Bison Creek will be reheard, it was tabled at the February meeting due to the lack of time. This is a conditional use permit application and the technical aspects of the proposal are being looked at. Unfortunately the planing and management side of the equation is not, or cannot, be discussed and debated because that is the responsibility of the Weber County Commissioners as they agreed to be the 'body politic' for this project. If the CUP is approved then it will go forth to the County Commissioners and the planning and management issues can be hashed out there.
Plan to attend the meeting to be heard. This is a huge development for OV and South fork specifically.
Ron Gleason
The next meeting is Wednesday March 14th at 4:30 at the County Building. The agenda and staff reports are at March 14th OVPC meeting
This meeting is very important as the proposed regional sewer system based at Bison Creek will be reheard, it was tabled at the February meeting due to the lack of time. This is a conditional use permit application and the technical aspects of the proposal are being looked at. Unfortunately the planing and management side of the equation is not, or cannot, be discussed and debated because that is the responsibility of the Weber County Commissioners as they agreed to be the 'body politic' for this project. If the CUP is approved then it will go forth to the County Commissioners and the planning and management issues can be hashed out there.
Plan to attend the meeting to be heard. This is a huge development for OV and South fork specifically.
Ron Gleason
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
A PRECEDENT SETTING P & Z MEETING (aka Dark Tuesday)
A nasty, Valley life altering precedence was set by the Ogden Valley Planning Commission Tuesday night when they gave preliminary approval to the Bison Creek Ranch Subdivision in Huntsville. 150 lots on 458 acres (of which, at least 165 acres is in wetlands) with bonus density given for clustering, trails, road stubs, and excess sewage capacity. What a bunch of ... sewage! By the way, we at the Forum strongly disagree with giving developers a bonus when they will already receive a huge financial windfall by means of clustering their infrastructure (water lines, utilities, roads, etc.)
The precedence set now allows BIG builders to develop wetlands. Sadly, many citizens brought up compelling reasons for the issue to be tabled, but the Commission made the approval with a list of contingencies rather than tabling the proposal. The motion for approval was made by Greg Graves and seconded by Verl Creager, who incidentally appeared to be asleep (or at least uninterested) during much of the 5 1/2 hour meeting. The bottom line is that many real and legitimate concerns were brought up, and in true "Dog and Pony Show" fashion, the approval was rubber stamped.
Our hats go off to Commissioners Gary Allen and Keith Rounkles for asking the right questions and taking a definite stand against the travesty. We thought Commissioner Holmstrom may step up to the plate, but she grounded out by waffling to an "Aye" vote after all other votes had been cast.
Speaking of the commissioners, Jim Banks was noticeably absent. We support and agree with the Letter to the Ogden Valley News Editor published on February 15, 2007. Mr. Banks is definitely in a conflict of interest and should step down from the Commission. He works for the water companies of several Valley developers - the same developers who constantly bombard the P & Z and County Commissioners with rezoning requests and development approval.
More will be published, but it is time to wake up and get involved Ogden Valley. There are a couple of citizens groups forming and these groups would love your involvement. Members of the East Huntsville Planning Committee and the Valley Residents for Responsible Development are two such groups.
It is time to get unified and take a stand!
The precedence set now allows BIG builders to develop wetlands. Sadly, many citizens brought up compelling reasons for the issue to be tabled, but the Commission made the approval with a list of contingencies rather than tabling the proposal. The motion for approval was made by Greg Graves and seconded by Verl Creager, who incidentally appeared to be asleep (or at least uninterested) during much of the 5 1/2 hour meeting. The bottom line is that many real and legitimate concerns were brought up, and in true "Dog and Pony Show" fashion, the approval was rubber stamped.
Our hats go off to Commissioners Gary Allen and Keith Rounkles for asking the right questions and taking a definite stand against the travesty. We thought Commissioner Holmstrom may step up to the plate, but she grounded out by waffling to an "Aye" vote after all other votes had been cast.
Speaking of the commissioners, Jim Banks was noticeably absent. We support and agree with the Letter to the Ogden Valley News Editor published on February 15, 2007. Mr. Banks is definitely in a conflict of interest and should step down from the Commission. He works for the water companies of several Valley developers - the same developers who constantly bombard the P & Z and County Commissioners with rezoning requests and development approval.
More will be published, but it is time to wake up and get involved Ogden Valley. There are a couple of citizens groups forming and these groups would love your involvement. Members of the East Huntsville Planning Committee and the Valley Residents for Responsible Development are two such groups.
It is time to get unified and take a stand!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
BAIT AND SWITCH ZONING and More
The January 23, 2007 Ogden Valley Planning Commission meeting was lengthy to say the least at more than 5.5 hours. It is quite obvious there are more items taking place in the Valley than one commission can reasonably handle and it is time to petition our County Commissioners to appoint another East Huntsville Planning commission. As of late, much of the proposed development seems to be happening on the South side of the Valley.
The agenda shows many items such as the Rezone request from Lisa Karam for property on the Old Snowbasin road and Highway 39. In a classic bait and switch, she seeks a rezone from CV-2 to CV-1 so 70 Condotels can be constructed instead of a 70 room hotel. Money talks and she will surely cash in on the Condotels. The Snowbasin road traffic will be worse than it was when the road served as primary access to Snowbasin. Interestingly, Steve Roberts, the Passionate developer from Wolf Creek, spoke against the debacle. Ultimately, the Planning Commissioners tabled the request, although there is a sign on the property serving as a public notice of the request. She will be back.
There was also a request for the Two Rivers Cluster Subdivision which is being proposed just South of Huntsville. They are proposing packing in some 46 lots on ground that is usually under water. This is one of three large subdivisions proposed in the Huntsville area that all hinge on a state of the art sewage system that will produce gray water suitable to drink. Are you going to drink the gray Kool Aid?
They are also planning on having water piped from Eden and the homes will not have basements (maybe too much water in those two rivers). Thanks to the Eden Water company for our current development boom.
A councilman from Huntsville (Galt, we believe) was asked why the Town of Huntsville did not wish to annex the property and why they did not respond to a letter from the WC planning staff. His compelling response was that they had reviewed the letter from Weber County asking if they were interested, but interpreted it to mean reply only if interested, which they weren’t. He went on to say the project didn’t fit the town's Master Plan, the density didn’t fit their zoning and the property in question represented too much risk of high water. He said, "we didn’t want to be involved with law suits when homes flooded."
The next Ogden Valley Planning Commission meeting will be February 27th - it should be interesting!
It is time to wake up and get involved Ogden Valley. Where will our first stop light be?
The agenda shows many items such as the Rezone request from Lisa Karam for property on the Old Snowbasin road and Highway 39. In a classic bait and switch, she seeks a rezone from CV-2 to CV-1 so 70 Condotels can be constructed instead of a 70 room hotel. Money talks and she will surely cash in on the Condotels. The Snowbasin road traffic will be worse than it was when the road served as primary access to Snowbasin. Interestingly, Steve Roberts, the Passionate developer from Wolf Creek, spoke against the debacle. Ultimately, the Planning Commissioners tabled the request, although there is a sign on the property serving as a public notice of the request. She will be back.
There was also a request for the Two Rivers Cluster Subdivision which is being proposed just South of Huntsville. They are proposing packing in some 46 lots on ground that is usually under water. This is one of three large subdivisions proposed in the Huntsville area that all hinge on a state of the art sewage system that will produce gray water suitable to drink. Are you going to drink the gray Kool Aid?
They are also planning on having water piped from Eden and the homes will not have basements (maybe too much water in those two rivers). Thanks to the Eden Water company for our current development boom.
A councilman from Huntsville (Galt, we believe) was asked why the Town of Huntsville did not wish to annex the property and why they did not respond to a letter from the WC planning staff. His compelling response was that they had reviewed the letter from Weber County asking if they were interested, but interpreted it to mean reply only if interested, which they weren’t. He went on to say the project didn’t fit the town's Master Plan, the density didn’t fit their zoning and the property in question represented too much risk of high water. He said, "we didn’t want to be involved with law suits when homes flooded."
The next Ogden Valley Planning Commission meeting will be February 27th - it should be interesting!
It is time to wake up and get involved Ogden Valley. Where will our first stop light be?
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Septic vs. Sewer
From Larry Z
While Mr. Nelson's blog is right on in general terms, we should establish some priorities regarding growth in the Valley. We should stop all new septic tank installations and require sewer connections for all new construction. No matter what your plan idea is, new septic tank additions will lead to greater alge growth in Pineview and pollution of ground water as the valley grows.
Larry Zini
While Mr. Nelson's blog is right on in general terms, we should establish some priorities regarding growth in the Valley. We should stop all new septic tank installations and require sewer connections for all new construction. No matter what your plan idea is, new septic tank additions will lead to greater alge growth in Pineview and pollution of ground water as the valley grows.
Larry Zini
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Welcome All Ye Ogden Valley News Readers!
Welcome to the Ogden Valley Forum. We are striving to be an information center for OUR Ogden Valley. We do have the Draft versions of the Proposed ordinances and will update them as new versions become available(to view, scroll down or click on the archive). Be sure to take the mini-poll in the right column and check back often as new polls will be posted regularly. In fact, if you have an idea or special request for a poll, let us know and we will incorporate your ideas.
You may also invite others to our site by clicking on the link to the right entitled "Tell a friend to visit." The more participation in our site, the more effective and informative it will become. Directions for posting are also on the right column as is a link for archives of previous blogs and comments. Be sure to review the archives and leave your two cents.
We offer links to other sites of interest to Valley residents such as links to official sites for Weber County and Huntsville, as well as unofficial forums for Weber County, Huntsville and Wolf Creek.
The Ogden Valley News is a fabulous publication (although a bit heavy on real estate ads which pay the bills) and offers an incredible source of news, but has the limitation of being published twice a month. Some actions and reactions in OUR Valley are happening fast and we hope to fill that two week gap by offering a new place to opine. The forum is yours, Ogden Valley. What say you?
You may also invite others to our site by clicking on the link to the right entitled "Tell a friend to visit." The more participation in our site, the more effective and informative it will become. Directions for posting are also on the right column as is a link for archives of previous blogs and comments. Be sure to review the archives and leave your two cents.
We offer links to other sites of interest to Valley residents such as links to official sites for Weber County and Huntsville, as well as unofficial forums for Weber County, Huntsville and Wolf Creek.
The Ogden Valley News is a fabulous publication (although a bit heavy on real estate ads which pay the bills) and offers an incredible source of news, but has the limitation of being published twice a month. Some actions and reactions in OUR Valley are happening fast and we hope to fill that two week gap by offering a new place to opine. The forum is yours, Ogden Valley. What say you?
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Letter Submitted to Ogden Valley News
Here is a letter I submitted to the Ogden Valley News a few days ago:
Dear Editor,
The Valley as we know it is changing forever right before our very eyes. Whether you are a long term and full time resident, or a more recent part time transplant, these changes and issues will affect us all.
The rural atmosphere many moved here for is under attack and the county is in the process of approving new land use ordinances with a recreational slant. While some are “passionate about developing recreational resorts,” others are concerned about preserving their property rights. Still others want to do whatever is possible to maintain the status quo.
Growth, traffic, sewage and water issues are a huge concern and these issues have been limited largely to the north side of the valley, but there are now several developments proposed on the South side. These are large developments that are in various stages of planning and approval from the County and they will impact us all.
Additionally, property prices have skyrocketed to heights unimaginable just two years ago. With rising property values, our taxes have followed and will continue to escalate. The very real possibility exists that many will be taxed out of our utopia sooner, rather than later. Many have already left.
With all the differing opinions, the majority shares one common trait: WE LOVE OUR VALLEY! The major difference is how we want the valley to turn out (or build out). Unfortunately, the majority is typically silent, but IT IS NOW TIME TO SPEAK OUT!
A web forum has been created to address these issues in hopes of bringing ALL residents together so we can effectively tackle these tough issues and more.
Go to:
www.ogden-valley.blogspot.com
Be sure to bookmark the site, visit often and post your comments.
Sincerely,
D. Nelson
Eden
Dear Editor,
The Valley as we know it is changing forever right before our very eyes. Whether you are a long term and full time resident, or a more recent part time transplant, these changes and issues will affect us all.
The rural atmosphere many moved here for is under attack and the county is in the process of approving new land use ordinances with a recreational slant. While some are “passionate about developing recreational resorts,” others are concerned about preserving their property rights. Still others want to do whatever is possible to maintain the status quo.
Growth, traffic, sewage and water issues are a huge concern and these issues have been limited largely to the north side of the valley, but there are now several developments proposed on the South side. These are large developments that are in various stages of planning and approval from the County and they will impact us all.
Additionally, property prices have skyrocketed to heights unimaginable just two years ago. With rising property values, our taxes have followed and will continue to escalate. The very real possibility exists that many will be taxed out of our utopia sooner, rather than later. Many have already left.
With all the differing opinions, the majority shares one common trait: WE LOVE OUR VALLEY! The major difference is how we want the valley to turn out (or build out). Unfortunately, the majority is typically silent, but IT IS NOW TIME TO SPEAK OUT!
A web forum has been created to address these issues in hopes of bringing ALL residents together so we can effectively tackle these tough issues and more.
Go to:
www.ogden-valley.blogspot.com
Be sure to bookmark the site, visit often and post your comments.
Sincerely,
D. Nelson
Eden
Monday, January 08, 2007
Ogden Valley News January 1st Issue
Kudos to Mr. Rasmussen and his recent letter to the editor of the OVN. He had the courage to speak out about our infamous local developers who have a "Passion" for developing resorts, AKA Wolf Creek. Yes it's true, they are giving Californians free skiing at Nordic Valley, now Wolf Mountain. It sounds kind of like a Mickey Mouse deal. Show your California Drivers license at Disneyland and get a huge discount. Can you say Californication?
While we are offering Kudos, thanks to newly elected state representative Gage Froerer for taking a proactive role in hosting an open house to hear the concerns of residents. That is a step in the right direction for open government. The open house will be January 10, 2007 at 6:30 PM at the Weber County Branch Library in Huntsville.
While we are offering Kudos, thanks to newly elected state representative Gage Froerer for taking a proactive role in hosting an open house to hear the concerns of residents. That is a step in the right direction for open government. The open house will be January 10, 2007 at 6:30 PM at the Weber County Branch Library in Huntsville.
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