Urgent: Valley Residents Say No to Rock Crushing in Ogden Valley!
Petitioner taking this issue to the County Commission
On June 26, 2007, two zoning petition requests were brought before the Ogden Valley Planning Commission.
Zoning petition #ZP05-07 to add uses to the manufacturing MV-1 zone as a conditional use. Uses proposed in this petition were specifically for a small cement batch plant. The Planning Department has already drafted the changes to this ordinance. This change can be viewed on the Weber County Commission's web site under pending ordinances.
Zoning petition #ZP06-07 to add a MV-2 zone. The use proposed in this new zone would include a rock crusher. The Planning Department has already drafted this new ordinance which can also be viewed on the Weber County Commission's web site under pending ordinances.
The Ogden Valley Township Planning Commission denied these two petitions last month. However, the petitioner, Tom Summers is now going to the Weber County Commission for approval.
Over the last year there have been petitions to allow manufacturing uses, rock crushing, and gravel operations in various areas of the valley. One was to be located on Highway 39 near the state road buildings was also surrounded on all sides by residences. The other was for the old Stoker pit, a site also adjacent to residential. Both of these requests were denied.
There are currently only two manufacturing zones in Ogden Valley. One is the Wilson auto repair shop and the other is along the riverbed just behind Snowcrest Junior High. Weber County Planning Department Staff indicated these changes are not site specific, but when there are only two such sites in the valley it seems that this use is targeted toward those spots.
Cement batch plants are known to produce toxic waste, dust and noise.
Rock crushers create noise which can be heard for long distances and which cannot be contained. They also produce dust. Both uses create increased volume in large truck traffic.
Noise, dust, pollution and heavy truck traffic could affect the health and safety of our school children, destroy the ambiance of the intended commercial uses (restaurants, shops, hotel) at Valley Junction and affect property values of existing and soon to be built homes.
You need to weigh in now on this issue. Contact your Weber County Commissioners now! Ask them to please consider:
NO ROCK CRUSHERS in Ogden Valley
NO CEMENT PLANTS in Ogden Valley
When contacting the commissioners and their clerk, please reference the petition numbers,
Zoning petition #ZP05-07 and Zoning petition #ZP06-07, and always include your name and home mailing address.
Weber County Commissioners and Clerk
Bischoff,Ken 801-399-8401 kbischof@co.weber.ut.us
Dearden,Craig 801-399-8401 cdearden@co.weber.ut.us
Zogmaister, Jan 801-399-8401 jzogmaister@co.weber.ut.us
Halacy, Shelly (clerk) 801-399-8401 shalacy@co.weber.ut.us
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
OV Ordinances Work Sessions & Public Hearing Dates
The Ogden Valley Township Planning Commission has scheduled work sessions for their members to review the three draft Ogden Valley ordinances. The public may attend these work sessions, but MAY NOT provide input to the committee at the time. However, this does not preclude Valley citizens from expressing their feelings to the Ogden Valley Planning Commission via e-mail, US mail or telephone!
Per the Planning Department, the sessions will be on Wednesdays, at 5PM in the County Commission Chambers in Ogden; dates and topics for these work sessions are as follows:
July 11 - Draft Sensitive Lands Ordinance
Aug. 8 - Draft Sensitive Lands & Draft Planned Recreation Resort Zone Ordinances
Sept. 12 - Draft Recreation Resort Zone & Transfer of Development Rights Ordinances
Oct. 10 - Draft Transfer of Development Rights Ordinance
Public Hearing dates have been set on these draft ordinances. However, these dates are predicated on no major rewrites of the ordinances resulting from the work sessions. The hearings will be held at 4:30PM in the County Commission Chambers in Ogden on the dates below:
Aug. 28 - Draft Sensitive Lands Ordinance
Sept. 25 - Draft Recreation Resort Zone Ordinance
Oct. 23 - Draft Transfer of Development Rights Ordinance
Please make your opinions known to the Ogden Valley Township Planning Commission about these ordinances. Let them know if you are for the ordinance(s), against them, or have recommended changes to portions of an ordinance.
Send your comments to:
ssillito@co.weber.ut.us
Be sure to reference Proposed Ogden Valley Ordinances in the subject line, and include your name and valley mailing address.
Copies of your comments can also be sent to the Weber County Commissions and their clerk at:
kbischof@co.weber.ut.us
cdearden@co.weber.ut.us
jzogmaister@co.weber.ut.us
shalacy@co.weber.ut.us
Your comments may also be mailed to the Planning Commission Office, 2380 Washington Blvd., Suite 240. Ogden, UT 84401.
The VCRD will have Kim Wheatley from GEM as a guest speaker for our next Public Awareness meeting, July 19 at 7PM in the Huntsville Library. Kim will speak and answer questions on the draft ordinances.
Sharon and Larry Zini
Per the Planning Department, the sessions will be on Wednesdays, at 5PM in the County Commission Chambers in Ogden; dates and topics for these work sessions are as follows:
July 11 - Draft Sensitive Lands Ordinance
Aug. 8 - Draft Sensitive Lands & Draft Planned Recreation Resort Zone Ordinances
Sept. 12 - Draft Recreation Resort Zone & Transfer of Development Rights Ordinances
Oct. 10 - Draft Transfer of Development Rights Ordinance
Public Hearing dates have been set on these draft ordinances. However, these dates are predicated on no major rewrites of the ordinances resulting from the work sessions. The hearings will be held at 4:30PM in the County Commission Chambers in Ogden on the dates below:
Aug. 28 - Draft Sensitive Lands Ordinance
Sept. 25 - Draft Recreation Resort Zone Ordinance
Oct. 23 - Draft Transfer of Development Rights Ordinance
Please make your opinions known to the Ogden Valley Township Planning Commission about these ordinances. Let them know if you are for the ordinance(s), against them, or have recommended changes to portions of an ordinance.
Send your comments to:
ssillito@co.weber.ut.us
Be sure to reference Proposed Ogden Valley Ordinances in the subject line, and include your name and valley mailing address.
Copies of your comments can also be sent to the Weber County Commissions and their clerk at:
kbischof@co.weber.ut.us
cdearden@co.weber.ut.us
jzogmaister@co.weber.ut.us
shalacy@co.weber.ut.us
Your comments may also be mailed to the Planning Commission Office, 2380 Washington Blvd., Suite 240. Ogden, UT 84401.
The VCRD will have Kim Wheatley from GEM as a guest speaker for our next Public Awareness meeting, July 19 at 7PM in the Huntsville Library. Kim will speak and answer questions on the draft ordinances.
Sharon and Larry Zini
Monday, July 02, 2007
VCRD Meeting Notice
VCRD
(Valley Citizens for Responsible Development)
Next Public Awareness Meeting
July 19th 7:00 PM Huntsville Library
Discussion and Information about:
1. Possible appeal by petitioner to the Weber County Commission on denial of rezoning to add uses for a rock crushing and cement business in Ogden Valley.
2. Status of 3 pending draft ordinances regarding Transfer of Development Rights and bonus density, Sensitive Lands and Recreation Resort Zoning.
3. City of Huntsville’s concern on culinary water flow.
4. Bison Creek Ranch status
5. Other business and information - open discussion
All Ogden Valley Residents
Keep informed on Ogden Valley Issues:
Continue to visi the Ogden Valley Forum Blog,
Join the VCRD e-mail list at our meeting
(Valley Citizens for Responsible Development)
Next Public Awareness Meeting
July 19th 7:00 PM Huntsville Library
Discussion and Information about:
1. Possible appeal by petitioner to the Weber County Commission on denial of rezoning to add uses for a rock crushing and cement business in Ogden Valley.
2. Status of 3 pending draft ordinances regarding Transfer of Development Rights and bonus density, Sensitive Lands and Recreation Resort Zoning.
3. City of Huntsville’s concern on culinary water flow.
4. Bison Creek Ranch status
5. Other business and information - open discussion
All Ogden Valley Residents
Keep informed on Ogden Valley Issues:
Continue to visi the Ogden Valley Forum Blog,
Join the VCRD e-mail list at our meeting
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Update on Bison Creek Ranch
When the VCRD Trustees learned late last week of Bison Creek's Stream Alteration request, a letter was sent from the VCRD to the Utah Division of Water Rights (UDWR). That letter, and the concerns expressed by several nearby landowners to the UDWR, resulted in an on site meeting scheduled by the UDWR yesterday morning. At the meeting were representatives from the UDWR, the Utah Division of Wildlife, the developer, his engineering company, the VCRD and several landowners. Although invited by the UDWR, the Corps of Engineers chose not to attend.
The purpose of the meeting as stated in a letter from the UDWR was for Barry Swartz of Bison Creek "to clarify certain points regarding the various drainages involved and their relationship to the development." And that "this may be a good time for adjacent property owners to have their concerns addressed."
Mr. Swartz and Gardner Engineering reviewed the project using maps which included among other things the location of streams, springs, irrigation ditches, bridges, culverts, boardwalks and trailways. There were many questions asked and answered concerning the following: location of the streams and springs to be altered, the percent of wetlands impacted by the project & how calculated, why the boardwalks through the wetlands aren't included in that calculation, whether all bridges will be outside the wetlands, the approach to be taken to prohibit trucks from driving through wetlands during project construction, precautions taken so lot owners do not impact wildlife, mosquito abatement, ownership & responsibility for the roads, lakes, wetlands & sewer treatment facility, source of water for homes, lawns, lakes, wetlands & to replace lake water lost to evaporation.
The answers provided were not always ones we wanted to hear. The developer referred back to being given approval from the Corps of Engineers on many items. One such item is the exclusion of the boardwalks in calculating the percent of wetlands disturbed by the project. Per the developer the boardwalks are designed within the Corps's accepted parameters so as to be excluded from the measurement.
The developer did say that because of concerns received by the Corps late last year from Valley residents on the overall percentage of wetlands included on Bison Creek property the acreage was recalculated and more wetlands added to the project. (A minor win for our side.)
The representative from Division of Wildlife commented that they had asked for those lots in the upper portion of the development to be pulled back because of an endangered species of bird in the vicinity. This reduction of lot sizes was agreed to by the developer. (Another minor victory.)
Some attendees made recommendations based on personal experience to increase the size of the culverts to be used. The UDWR representative mentioned they would also like to see the culverts enlarged and half piped. At first Mr. Swartz agreed to enlarge the pipes, but then backpedalled and said he would do "whatever the State and Corps wants."
When the meeting was adjourned the UDWR rep asked the developer to show him certain areas of the project. We were not included in this discussion.
Sharon Zini
VCRD Secretary
The purpose of the meeting as stated in a letter from the UDWR was for Barry Swartz of Bison Creek "to clarify certain points regarding the various drainages involved and their relationship to the development." And that "this may be a good time for adjacent property owners to have their concerns addressed."
Mr. Swartz and Gardner Engineering reviewed the project using maps which included among other things the location of streams, springs, irrigation ditches, bridges, culverts, boardwalks and trailways. There were many questions asked and answered concerning the following: location of the streams and springs to be altered, the percent of wetlands impacted by the project & how calculated, why the boardwalks through the wetlands aren't included in that calculation, whether all bridges will be outside the wetlands, the approach to be taken to prohibit trucks from driving through wetlands during project construction, precautions taken so lot owners do not impact wildlife, mosquito abatement, ownership & responsibility for the roads, lakes, wetlands & sewer treatment facility, source of water for homes, lawns, lakes, wetlands & to replace lake water lost to evaporation.
The answers provided were not always ones we wanted to hear. The developer referred back to being given approval from the Corps of Engineers on many items. One such item is the exclusion of the boardwalks in calculating the percent of wetlands disturbed by the project. Per the developer the boardwalks are designed within the Corps's accepted parameters so as to be excluded from the measurement.
The developer did say that because of concerns received by the Corps late last year from Valley residents on the overall percentage of wetlands included on Bison Creek property the acreage was recalculated and more wetlands added to the project. (A minor win for our side.)
The representative from Division of Wildlife commented that they had asked for those lots in the upper portion of the development to be pulled back because of an endangered species of bird in the vicinity. This reduction of lot sizes was agreed to by the developer. (Another minor victory.)
Some attendees made recommendations based on personal experience to increase the size of the culverts to be used. The UDWR representative mentioned they would also like to see the culverts enlarged and half piped. At first Mr. Swartz agreed to enlarge the pipes, but then backpedalled and said he would do "whatever the State and Corps wants."
When the meeting was adjourned the UDWR rep asked the developer to show him certain areas of the project. We were not included in this discussion.
Sharon Zini
VCRD Secretary
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
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
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
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
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
June 26, 2007
4:30 Pm
Weber County Commission Chambers
Click Here for the agenda
Thursday, June 21, 2007
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
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
Sunday, June 10, 2007
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
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
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, June 04, 2007
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
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
Saturday, May 26, 2007
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
Be there:
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
10:00 AM
Weber County commision chambers
Be there and inform your neighbors
Sunday, May 20, 2007
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.
May 24th, 2007
at the Huntsville Library,
7:00 pm.
Your attendance and support is appreciated.
Please invite your neighbors.
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