Rock Crushing in the Valley

I did not attend the OVPC meeting on Tuesday 6/26 I have been informed that the proposed zoning change to allow rock crushing in MV-1 zones was denied.

We can expect this decision to be appealed to the County Commissioners. You are encouraged to write to your the Commissioners and voice your opinion concerning this issue.

Ron

Ogden Valley Planning Commission Meeting tonight!

The Ogden Valley Planning Commission Meeting will be held tonight:

June 26, 2007

4:30 Pm

Weber County Commission Chambers
Click Here for the agenda

Letter to Sen Hatch, Bennett and Rep Bishop

This is a copy of the letter Sharon and I sent to our Federal Representatives
about the Bison Creek Ranch development and their recent request for Alteration of
the streams on their development property. They all received indivdual letters.and we felt
that since the US Army Corps of Engineers was involved in the original permit process at Bison
Creek, our Federal leaders may be able to assist with any review.


June 22, 2007

Dear Senator Hatch, Bennett and Rep Bishop

The purpose of this letter is to draw your attention to an issue in the Ogden Valley that is of major concern to ourselves and other local residents.

Approval has been granted by the Weber County Planning Commission for the development of Bison Creek Ranch, including a sewer treatment facility adjacent to Highway 39. While the initial application for the Bison Creek development involved a permit approval by the US Army Corps of Engineers, it appears that the Bison Creek developer did not identify three streams on the property in their initial application.

The Bison Creek developer initially denied the existence of these springs, but has recently filed an application for an alteration permit for these now acknowledged streams and tributaries with the Utah Department of Natural Resources -Division of Water Rights.

This omission would make the initial Bison Creek Ranch request incomplete since their Joint Application stated that only 0.48 acres of watercourse and wetlands will be affected by this project. We request that the Army Corps of Engineers do a complete reanalysis of this application as it may now exceed 0.50 acres. If this is the case, a different Army Corps of Engineers permit would be required.



Your assistance is requested to insure that the US Army Corps of Engineers review and recalculate the percent of watercourse and wetlands now affected by this development.


Sincerely,


Lawrence J. Zini Sharon A. Zini

Public Hearing for Rezone in Huntsville

A public hearing is being held on June 19, 2007 at the Weber County Commission Chambers to discuss a rezone request that was denied by the Weber County Planning Commission in April.

The County Planning department is also against the rezone, but the petitioners have appealed to the County Commission.

This is of particular interest to those in Huntsville since the property is in very close proximity to Huntsville's water source and the resultant increased density could have a very negative impact on the water source. It would also be precedent setting for adjacent properties.

Be sure to attend this important meeting.

Richard Sorensen
Huntsville

Here is the information from the Counties web site:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the Weber County Commission will hold a public hearing on
June 19,2007,
at 10:00 a.m, in the
Commission Chambers, 1st Floor, Weber Center, 2380 Washington Blvd.,Ogden, Utah,
to consider rezoning property in Section 2 Township 5 North Range 2 East from Forest F-40 to a Forest F-5.

Copies of the proposal may be reviewed prior to the hearing in the Weber County Planning Commission Office, Suite 240, in the Weber Center.

By Board of Commissioners of Weber County Jan M. Zogmaister, Vice Chair

ATTEST: Alan D. McEwan, CPA Weber County Clerk/Auditor

Bison Creek Files To Alter Spring Creek

Bison Creek has filed with the office of the Utah Division of Water Rights to Alter tributaries to Spring Creek.

The Camel got his nose in the tent - what next?

Comments must be made before June 18, 2007.

Here are some details:

Application to Alter a Natural Stream No. 07-35-0022 (SPRING CREEK
TRIBUTARIES (3)) has been filed in the office of the Utah Division of Water
Rights. Your comments are requested so we can evaluate any impacts caused
by the project.Click Here to see the application and documentation

If we do not receive comments by that date, the department will assume you
have no input on the proposal outlined in the application. If you have any
questions or comments, contact: Judy Mattson
or phone Judy at (801) 538-7414.

Bonus Density Awards

Letter to the Weber County Commission From Larry and Sharon Zini


We request that the Weber County Commission give serious consideration to removing all Bonus Density Awards for future development in the Ogden Valley. These Bonus Density Awards are a significant factor in the accelerated growth in the valley.

We are not advocating abandoning the Transfer Development Rights (TDR) concept in the Valley. We feel TDRs are an important component for the open space development concept.

If Bonus Density Awards are retained by the Weber County Commission, we recommend that:

1. The Weber County Commission reject the proposed TDR ordinance that provides additional bonus density units for TDRs purchased by developers. This ordinance would, in effect, increase the total Bonus Density Awards to 40%.

2. Maximize bonus density units at 20%, based on the original developer plan, exclusive of any TDRs purchased.

3. Consider reducing, and eventually eliminating Bonus Density Awards over the period of the next five years within the Ogden Valley.



Larry & Sharon Zini

Bison Creek Ranch Appeal Tuesday

The Valley Citizens for Responsible Development have filed a second appeal regarding the sewer system at Bison Creek ranch and will present their case to the county commissioners on Tuesday. Certainly the commissioners have already made up their mind to support the developers, so we can expect another rubber stamping session. We can only hope they will provide the opportunity for community input, and further hope they will listen.

Be there:

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

10:00 AM

Weber County commision chambers

Be there and inform your neighbors

Valley Citizens for Responsible Development (VCRD) Meeting May 24th

The next Valley Citizens for Responsible Development Meeting will be held:

May 24th, 2007

at the Huntsville Library,

7:00 pm.

Your attendance and support is appreciated.

Please invite your neighbors.

No Incentives Necessary to Attract Developers to Ogden Valley

When we contemplate the beauty of our valley and the year around recreational opportunities it provides, one must wonder why we find it necessary to provide bonus incentives for land developers.

In other areas of the country where we have lived, an area with the advantages of the Ogden Valley would have land developers standing in line to present their development proposals and what they could contribute to the community. It has been our experience that land developers have agreed to build schools and recreational parks—at their own expense—just for the opportunity to have their plans approved!

In our valley, we offer bonus density incentives for land developers, and with the new proposed ordinances under current consideration, the writers have proposed that we should increase these bonus density provisions. The most egregious of these provisions is in the proposed ordinance relating to TDRs. If passed, it would double the bonus units from 20% to 40%, and will significantly increase density to the original plan for each development. While the TDRs may be a good option for some local landowners, the Weber County Commission should remove bonus density provisions attached to the proposed TDR ordinance (See Title 37, 37-3A, Ogden Valley Transfer of Development Rights).

In addition, we believe there is no reason to provide for any bonus density awards to make our valley an attractive investment for developers. The Weber County Planning Commission should consider changing the current ordinances, i.e., Chapter 22B, Cluster Subdivision Special Provisions, to reduce, and ultimately, remove all of the bonus density incentives for Ogden Valley.

We encourage everyone in the Valley to read the new ordinance proposals and contact their Weber County Commissioner to let them know how you feel on this issue. They will vote on these ordinances soon.

We should all assist in managing the growth in the Valley with active participation and oversight of both the Ogden Valley Planning Commission and the people who appoint them—the voter elected Weber County Commission.

Larry and Sharon Zini,
Huntsville

Valley Citizens for Responsible Development (VCRD) Meeting May 10th

VALLEY CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC MEETING

THURSDAY, MAY 10TH, 2007

7:00 PM

HUNTSVILLE LIBRARY.

PLEASE ATTEND AND INVITE YOUR NEIGHBORS.

Here's a summary of the discussion from the last meeting of VCRD:

Explained the results of the Board of Adjustment decision regarding calculation of home ensity in wet land areas. The Board supported the developer. The Army Corp of Engineers still needs to make a final determination.

Report on the status of our membership and finances.

Discussion included:

l. A need to have more visibility in Ogden Valley by having Eden, Liberty
and Huntsville Town form alliances with VCRD. Also a need for more publication in local and Salt Lake City newspapers.

2. We all should make contact with the County Commissioners via mail, email and telephone calls to voice our concerns. The County Commissioners have the final say in the decisions.

3. Discussion on the "Truth In Taxation" law of l985. More information will be provided in the future.

4. Discussion on the proposed Valley Ordinances.

5. A need to have the county provide notices to the citizens impacted by
development. Currently it isn't the best.

6. Discussion on Middlefork Canyon and plans by the Fish and Game.

7. Other business and discussion.

Leon Fielding and Dennis Shaw met with the Huntsville Town Council last week and requested an alliance with the Town. A motion was submitted and passed approving this alliance.

THE NEXT PUBLIC MEETING IS THURSDAY, MAY 10TH, 2007, 7:00 PM, AT THE HUNTSVILLE LIBRARY. PLEASE ATTEND AND INVITE YOUR NEIGHBORS.

Disclaimer: The Ogden Valley Forum is not officially affiliated with VCRD, but serves as a sounding board for all and fully supports VCRD in their efforts for Responsible Development.

Huntsville Town Approves Cooperative Alliance with Valley Citizens For Responsible Development

Taking a positive stand in support of Responsible Growth in Ogden Valley, the Huntsville Town Council approved this motion during the May 1, 2007 meeting:

I move that Huntsville Town form a cooperative alliance with the Valley Citizens for Responsible Development (VCRD) with the intent of assisting and working with VCRD in their efforts to insure responsible growth and development in Ogden Valley.

The council voted 4-1 in favor of the Alliance.

We look forward to working with VCRD.

Richard L. Sorensen
Huntsville Town Council

RUBBER STAMP-ARAMA!

TWICE UPDATED - SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW

More to come later, but we just wanted our humble readers to know that the County Commission reversed the Planning Commission's DENIAL of The Rivers Cluster Subdivision. It is a done deal and the developers have officially received Preliminary approval despite the recommendations of the Appointed Planning Commission.

Check back for more details.

UPDATE 5-2-07

Comments promoted to front page for readability:

During it's meeting yesterday the Weber County Commissioners appointed two new OVPC members to replace two incumbents who's terms have expired. Effective today Jamie Lythgoe and William Siegel replace Sharon Holstrom and Verl Creager.

There were 12 candidates for the positions plus the two incumbents who had also submitted their names for consideration. Seven of the candidates were real estate agents (Big Surprise!). As some of you may know Ms. Lythgoe is a real estate agent herself and her grandfather is the developer of Powder Mountain.

As was explained earlier in this blog, the Rivers Cluster Subdivision was given preliminary approval for their development. The WCC said that since the developer had met all current ordinances for the preliminary approval process and they had to approve his appeal request. However, they emphasized this is only preliminary approval and in no way guarantees final approval. So our work is cut out for us!

Public comments were allowed at the conclusion of the WCC meeting and public hearing section of their agenda. During this time several OV residents voiced their concern about the Rivers approval by the Weber County commissioners without any further public input. The commissioners said the time for public input was during the OVPC hearing meetings, not at an appeal hearing, and that the Weber County Commissioners had reviewed the records from those earlier meetings. The OVPC had the option of asking the developer to come back with a "cookie cutter" approach to the Rivers VS. the cluster subdivision and they didn't. The Rivers had met the current ordinances necessary for preliminary approval of a cluster development.

The commissioners were asked when OV residents could expect to have public hearings on the three pending ordinances affecting our valley. As you may remember, these hearings were originally scheduled for April 24. The commissioners actually seemed surprised that there had been any hearings scheduled in April on the drafts! The WC Planning department was asked to explain what was going on and their representative stated they had postponed the hearings as the draft ordinance were returned to Bio West for corrections. No future date was given for the hearings, the commissioners saying it would be sooner, rather than later....whatever that means.

Once the revised drafts are available for public review and input it is important for all of us to review them carefully and provide our input to the Weber County Commissioners on our thoughts and concerns.

Sharon and Larry Zini


UPDATE 5-3-07 12:50 MT

As usual the Weber County Commissioners rubber stamped the request without ANY input from the audience pro or con. Only the developer and planning staff were allowed to speak.

When questioned later as to how they could make a decision without any input they stated that they had read the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting.

So their decision to allow the 40 some houses adjacent to Huntsville are based solely on having read minutes from a meeting that have not been voted on or approved by that Planning Committee.
And unless I'm mistaken they are not valid or something until that has happened. Seems that some laws or procedures may have been broken or skipped in this process by the County Commissioners. Nothing new there.

Anyone a lawyer?

Regards

W Armstrong
Huntsville