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Monday, July 30, 2007

Powder Mountain Meeting

Update at 11 PM

The rezone request was TABLED! You voice does count and together we make a difference. More to come Thursday!


This is to remind you that there will be a Ogden Valley
Planning Commission meeting On Wednesday August 1st at 5:00 PM.
There will be public input so come to the meeting and support the VCRD position.

We want the OVPC to table or deny the Powder Mountain Rezone
request until the 3 new ordinances are approved and in force.

Remember: "Speak up for what you want, or Take what you get"

Your VCRD Staff

Friday, July 27, 2007

Powder Mountain Rezone Letter To OVPC


Click above to sign the petition opposing Powder Mountain's rezone request

Ogden Valley Planning Commission
Weber County Planning Office

Re: Powder Mountain Request for Rezoning

Dear Commissioners,

After reviewing the unit density proposed by Powder Mountain (PM) rezone request, I urge you to deny their petition because they want to double (at least) their existing density. Section 7 of the Ogden Valley General Plan concludes the “carrying capacity” of the Valley is around 6200 units and the Recreation Element (RE) estimates current zoning allows 2-3 times that many. It is simply irresponsible to allow our 17,500 unit problem (RE existing zoning estimate) to become an 18,800+ unit problem...

Click here to read more of Kimbal Wheatley's excellent letter

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Powder Mountain's Request for Rezone Hearing


Click above to sign the petition
The Ogden Valley Planning Commission has scheduled a hearing, August 1st at 4:30PM regarding the Powder Mountain developer’s petition for rezoning.

As noted on a prior post on this blog, the key issue here is the timing for the approval of the rezoning request at Powder Mountain, and the delayed status of the Recreation Resort Zone Ordinance and Transfer of Development Rights ordinances that were specifically written to address this type of resort development.

Click here to read more...

Ogden Valley Planning Commission meeting today!

UPDATE AT 1:30 pm

We were finally able to get ahold of the planning commission agenda and it is a BIGGIE - 8 subdivisions with 170 lots are seeking approval TONIGHT! Time is running short, so be there in force!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

4:30 PM

Weber County Commission Chambers
2380 Washington Blvd.
Ogden, UT

Click here for the July 25, 2007 OVPC agenda



A huge agenda that once again did not have adequate posting and is still not available on the County's web site.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead

Petition Center Now Live

The Petition center is now available with two petitions:

Ogden Valley Residents Opposition To Powder Mountain's Request For Rezone Petition - deadline July 27, 2007



Ogden Valley Residents Opposition To Rock Crusher / Cement Plant Petition - deadline August 3, 2007


The deadline for the first petition is July 27th, so please sign ASAP. Also, please include both your first and last names.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Web Upgrades

We are instituting many of your suggestions to make the site more powerful and easy to navigate. Watch for more changes over the next couple of weeks, but we have just made a few changes:

*New "Action Alert" area - One problem with a blog format is that the most recent post typically appears at the top of the page. Therefore many important posts may end up "buried." The new "Action Alert" area will have links to upcoming, very important issues that need your action listed in chronological order. Keep in mind, the date listed will typically be the date of the hearing or meeting, so your action may be necessary several days or weeks in advance.

*Commissioner and Planning Commission contact information is now listed permanently on the right column in one easy to find location.

*The Ogden Valley Draft Ordinances are now available on the lower right column.

More improvements to come, so check back often. In fact, a new petition area will be added very soon.

And remember, "SPEAK UP FOR WHAT YOU WANT, OR TAKE WHAT YOU GET!"

UPDATE July 24, 2007:

Petition Center Added to right side of web page. Two petitions are posted, with more to come.

Friday, July 20, 2007

County Web problems

At last evening's VCRD meeting one of our members mentioned that they were having a problem sending e-mails to the Weber County Commissioners and their clerk. The messages came back "no such address." Even after verifying with the clerk, Shelly Halacy, that they were using the correct e-mail addresses they could not send their e-mails. Other members indicated they are having a problem with the County's web site.

I spoke with Ms. Halacy this morning about the e-mail problem. She assured me that the e-mail addresses we have are the correct ones for each of the three Weber County Commissioners and herself, and that the procedure for sending e-mails to them has not changed. Ms. Halacy did refer me to the County's information management department to discuss the problem further. I am waiting for a call back from the gentleman who handles e-mail addresses for county employees. I will let you know if and when I learn of a problem from him.

Jody in the County Information Management department told me they are experiencing a problem with the server for the County web site. Not all of the web site is down, but the portion dedicated to the Weber County Commissioners and the Planning Commission is down. Per Joy they have no idea when the problem will be fixed, it may be days or weeks! Since we will not be notified by anyone that the problem has been corrected please keep checking both web sites for access to the information you want.

Sharon Zini
VCRD Secretary

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Powder Mountain Rezone


Click above to sign the petition

At the July 11 Odgen Valley Planning Commission (OVPC) meeting, time was allotted for a discussion on the Powder Mountain development.

A representative from the developer addressed the commission reminding them that Powder Mountain had been told in 2005 to wait for the new OV Master-Planned Recreation Resort Zone RR-1 Ordinance before requesting preliminary approval of their development plans.

The developer met numerous times with the Planning Department staff and worked with the people who were drafting the ordinance toward a Powder Mountain development plan that would comply with the new ordinance.

The developer is now asking the OVPC to act on their rezone request BEFORE the new Resort Zone ordinance is approved! Their plan includes 2 golf courses not permitted in the current forest zone.

Some members of the commission wanted the developer to wait until the new ordinances were approved, but legal did not think this was reasonable since it may be another 6 months before the ordinances are finalized and Powder Mountain has waited 2 years already. The OVPC will hear Powder Mountain’s request for a rezone on August 1 at a special 4 hour meeting.

Could it be that the Powder Mountain developer is concerned that the Resort Zone Ordinance they had significant input on may be changed after the Commission work sessions and the pubic hearings?

We want to know What’s the Rush on this request?

If you believe the OVPC should NOT grant a rezone for Powder Mountain pending the adoption of the new Resort Zone ordinance:


1. Write or e-mail your OVPC commissioners and state your reasons. Do this before the August 1 hearing date.

2. Attend the August 1 hearing and voice your opinion.

Contact Information to the OVPC

Ogden Valley Planning Commission (OVPC)

E-Mail:

You must write your e-mails to the planning clerk e-mail address and instruct her to give each Commission member a copy. The e-mail is: ssillito@co.weber.ut.us

Remember to include your Name, and Address so they know who you are and to eliminate the possibilty that your e-mail would be discarded.

Regular Mail:

Your comments may also be mailed to the Ogden Valley Township Planning Commission Office, 2380 Washington Blvd. Ogden, UT 84401. They should be addressed to Sherri Sillito the planning department clerk with instructions to distribute the letter to all Ogden Valley Planning Commission members.

Telephone:

Sherri Sillito 801-399-8791


Click above to sign the petition

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Other communities with growth issues

We are certainly not alone with regard to growing pains. Here are links for two communities with similar issues to Ogden Valley's.

Heber Valley

Teton Valley, Idaho

VCRD Meeting This Thursday

This post is being posted again as a reminder of the meeting.

Also, be sure to read the last few posts to become informed on the issues.



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

Kim Wheatley will be our guest speaker at the VCRD Meeting. Kim will give us an overview of the GEM group and their goals. Kim will also explain the Bonus Density TDR ordinace.


All Ogden Valley Residents

Keep informed on Ogden Valley Issues:

Continue to visit the Ogden Valley Forum Blog,

Join the VCRD e-mail list at our meeting

Friday, July 13, 2007

Ogden Valley Ordinances

Ogden Valley Residents:

The Ogden Valley Planning Commission is currently holding work sessions to evaluate the three new ordinances for Ogden Valley. If you have any concerns regarding these ordinances and wish to support or oppose them, now is the time to let the Ogden Valley Planning Commission know how you feel.

You must write your e-mails to the planning clerk and instruct her to give each Commission member a copy. The e-mail is ssillito@co.weber.ut.us

Don't forget to include your Name, and Address so they know who you are.

As with all issues regarding our Valley, "Speak up for what you want, or take what you get".

Larry and Sharon Zini

The proposed ordinances are available at the Weber County Planning commission site By clicking here

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

No Rock Crushing or Cement Plants in OV

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

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

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