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Show THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS May Another World By Drienie Hattingh WOLF CREEK made an appointment to see the apartmentsat Union Square above the shops on 2sth Street. I was surprised; the apartment was charming and much bigger than I thought it would be. It had two huge bedrooms with walk-in closets and bathrooms, and a dining room area and large sitting room with French doors opening onto the street revealing a remarkable view of the Union Station and oe s historic street with its unique shops. Looking up the street— above the quaint buildings, the snow covered Wasatch Mountains towered above it all. ow, four months later, we have gown accustomed to living in downtown Ogden, our apartment is finally furnishedand decorated the way we want it. But we are, more than ever, ” in love with our Valley ne we’re greeted yy coba It blue skies and fresh clean air as we cont. from page 1 year. It is also common for one or more investors to purchase a single family home together as an investment for nightly or weekly rentals. Even though illegal, if they can get away with it, it becomes an economic win-win for the investors. In the mean time, property values and sells continue to escalate. Violations also occur when single family residents are rented to groups consisting of up to 16 or more members when party members are not part of a single family unit. Single family homes are built under single family occupancy codes and approved for single family occupancy only. When I g tl . rock formations along ru hing Ogden River until, eventually, our beautifull Valley opens to view surrounded by its own snow covered peaks. Though Eden’s only twenty minutes from our apartment, it’s another world—a world surrounded by majestic mountains and the habitat they sustain—deer, elk, and moose; and soaring eagles above. dential development to some degree or another, the property can remain in private ownership with or without pubic access. The goal of a conservation easement is to protect the conservation values of the land. A gift of a conservation easement frequently benefits a landowner by creating immediate tax beneits and by permanently protecting important conservation qualities of the property without the landowner having to give up ownership. A growing complex of private lands that have already been protected in this manner are carefully stewarded by the land trust in peretuity. The Ogden Valley Land Trust is a local organization with local people acting as its cont. on page 10 ee OWNERS attorney’s office can then proceed with legal action against the homeowner if the illegal activity has not ceased. One realtor in Ogden Valley stated that about 90% of the clients that contact her are looking at purchasing a second or third home in the Valley as a real estate investment and/or recreational property that they can rent out when they are not using it themselves. They hope to finance the purchase of the home by renting it out at the higher weekend or weekly rate over the traditional long term lease rate, and then using the home themselves for only a few weeks out of the Valley available for nightly rentals,” an employee with the company managing the properties told me that there were no restrictions governing party members—they do not have to be related. The agency’s only concern: if there will be more than four cars between group members renting the home, the excess cars must be parked at the business’ office parking lot since only four cars can fit in the homes’ garages and driveways. They’re concerned about violating neighborhood restrictive covenants that don’t allow parking on the street. Property owners who rent their nee family homes on a nightly or weekly bas may also be committing insurance fraud. A different type of policy is required to cover bed and breakfasts, inns, or nightly/weekly rental type properties. An agent with ble organization like the Ogden Valley Land Trust in which the owner places permanent restrictions on the future uses of some or all of the property in order to protect scenic, wildlife, or agricultural resources. While the restrictions usually limit commercial or resi- UNDER PROPERTY devoid of the hustle and bustle from daytime shoppers, then slows as a man crosses and waves at the policeman. He rolls down the window and the two exchange a few words. They wave again and continue on to their respective destinations. The pedestrian pushes a grocery cart full of his worldly belongings. It is obvious that he is part of the local color. I fervently send up a prayer asking that the man will have a safe place to lay his head through the night. It’s a different world—a totally different world from where we live in Eden in Ogden Valley. When Johan first suggested buying an apartment at Union Square on Historic asth Set I thought he’d gone crazy. We? Us? . Living on 25™ Street? You must be caine It’s quaint and all. . . but live there? Then Johan added, “Won't it be great to walk out the front door, literally, and walk to stores, restaurants, the library, and the bank without getting into a car?” A light went on... . Of course it would! We A forlorn train whistle echoes through the night and the sound seems to bounce off Mount Ogden. The calli interruptsmy thoughts where rm Sitting in my favorite ch: favorite throw, reading Susan hl 3 Mrs. = Winter, the sequel to Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebec The melancholy sound “of the train whistle enhances the subtle mood of the fictional world in which I’m absorbed. In my minds eye, I see the young Mrs. De Winter as she walks the English moors at Manderley marveling at the thought of Maxim De Winter’s love for her. In the final scenes of Rebecca, the handsome Maxim and his young bride come through a forest and see the stately Manderley mansion going up in flames. For a couple of seconds I feel like I’m transported to that fictional, hapless tale when red _ {much like flames) flicker through my w: I’m back in the: eal world when I realize that it is 10:00 p.m. and the red flashing lights aren’t flames. but lights from the city’s garbage truck. The train whistle blows again—reminding me that I’m now living right up the street from the Union Station. my book down that I checked out earlier in the evening from the county library located a few blocks away. I walk over to the French doors and open them. With my arms resting on the balcony’s black iron rail, I breathe in the cool spring air that mingles with the smell of baking bread from Wonder Bread s bakery one block from our apartment. Soon, in the early morning hours, the bread trucks will pull out of the parking lot and start delivering bread all over Weber Count I take in the late night scene in front of me. The old time street lamps flanking 2sth Street are almost unnecessary because of the glow from the Flower Moon above—so named by early settlers for the abundance of flowers in May. The historic Union Station looks almost surreal from the hypnotic illumination. Beyond the street and above the historic buildings and homes looms majestic snow covered Mount Ogden with the full Flower Moon glowing right above her. A police car crawls up the quiet street, now “= 15, 2006 Blackburn Jones Insurance Company stated that their company doesn’t even have an underwriter that is willing to insure properties that allow nightly rentals due to liability An insurance policy purchased under false pretenses may become null and void if ever needed to cover a personal liability or homeowner’s claim—especially if the liability a while the home was being rented illegal Weekly and ely rentals—legal or not—have become big business in Ogden Valley. In large measure, this is contributing to real estate rates that continue to escalate along with property taxes. The investment environment is being fed by recreation and resort community stakeholders who have a valid interest in seeing a higher return on their investment dollars. By marketing their resort community and exploiting the amenities Ogden Valley has to offer, it isn’t difficult to sell real estate—especially with the easy payment plan option—buy now, rent tomorrow, come enjoy it yourself next month, and then flip the property next year and make a whole lot of money. How much easier can it be? Valley Lodging—Wolf Creek Resort, advertises a seven bedroom home they rent out in three night increments at about $865 a night. It is ae . booked through August 1. In a year, wha d of return will they receive on their cae No wonder real estate investors have an interest in changing the Weber County ordinance to allow for nightly/weekly rentals. And with 90% of clients interested in purchasing single family homes to turn around and rent out, you can be assured that your local realtors will be interested in a zone change also. If and/or until then, if you know of a single family property that is being rented illegally, residents are being asked by the county to contact Iris, the Weber County Zoning Enforcement Officer. She can be reached at 399-8762. For more information, contact the Weber County Planning office at 399-8791, or visit their web site a <www!.co.weber.ut.us/planning_commission/> Trustees. Although it can operate anywhere in the state of Utah, the Ogden Valley Land Trust is primarily focused on the preservation of oe space in Ogden Valley and Weber Count For. more information about the Ogden Land Trust, contact Chairman James Hasenyager at 745-2048 sa Page 10 NEW CONTRACT LISTING 3 rami 5263 aig Circle 3364 ‘ a 162 4972 E. Aspen Lane Eden, UT log Cabin on 1.24 3946 North 5384 “ Mountain Green, Builder’s own home, el home with maiecie Mt. Views 3615 N Wolf Creek Dr #104, ; a ~ 1 ‘bedroom Wolf lodge aca Only Minutes from Snowbasin, Powder mi and Gourmet granite kitchen, hand troweled plaster walls, up grades throughout. Turn k d in. Or ch i ! flo r ol swimming pool, tennis courts, hot tubs & exercise room. This i isa spring, summer & fall. $469,000 in same area scheduled to be completed Sept. 2006. $499,000 Salt Lake City or SLC International Airport. $149,000 ‘a Fay a ll roe Ras in fi, 41/2 pa Sfi ae On Shoe golf gees, duck, wild turkey, moose, hele Mountain, Snowbasin, Wolf Mountain Ski Resorts & Monte Cristo Pass . $1,950,000 or fish a own al $1,200,000 10.28 acres. Gamesestate in aa 4834 E.N a _ Drive Beautiful ia a = upgrades throughout.4 bath, 3,075sq. fi. teeta e less kitchen. Hardwood floors, gudins Wells Pact 9658 Kelly Drive Huntsville, UT This approved building lot with water and sewer has unblockable views of the lake and Snowbasin plus access to private hiking, biking, horse trails, and pond. Salk: mcinentadl 064 $395,000 b. 2nd RV garage for the toys. Convenient location. $500,000 UNDER CONTRACT si Becdontin!Int rink yourself. $1,600,000 8827 Mountain vier Drive Huntsville, U “H r. 24 ac 3634 N. Huntsmans Path Eden, Wolf Crek residential bldng lot close to dom. town Huntsville, country living and easy access to the city. Bridal path and river behind this wooded lot ~ _ pine, — Build ur dream home on this great i of land in “ipla Valley. 298,0 ot 5 bed, 5 bath, 2740 sq. ft., a fireplaces, deck, 2 car ige. European finishes, solid ale doors & trim, high ceilings, generous windows. Clubhouse with pool, spas, etc. Overlooks the golf course. Views of Pineview and Snowbasin. $575,000 Wooded | / Pineview lake. Flat lot with 360° mountain views. Amazing views of Snowbasin resort. Quiet dead-end street on the Eden peninsula. Perk test approved. Horse property Best vell 3 shares of water. $1,500,000 1950 Bs E, Sky Drive 1545 North 5900 East Eden, UT a4 Valley area. Springs, seasonal creeks and adjacent to US Forest Service property. Secluded, unique 2970 Nordic vt Incradihle Drive y Vall Thic of Wolf Mountain Ski Resort, Pine View Res. and mountains all 4143 East 4325 North E len, | UT lot i create their “Dream Home" with wide-open spaces. Prime location in Phe 1 of Sh p Creek Crek. Y sa e e: = = = = Veen Ht sville, ‘erases 17. si acres. Stunning views of Redrocks in South Fork Canyon. Approx. 1500 Ft of Road Frontage, Fully Fenced, and borders National Forest F5- Residential Zoning- Develop this if * $459, 000 Greg Jensen REALTOR® eel 801.791.9104 801.791.2114 office 801.745.2456 greg@Move20gdenValley.com www.Move20gdenValley.com office 801.745.2456 shauna@buy-utah.com www.buy-utah.com CH Prudential | Utah Real Estate \ 2 and Ogden Valley. No one can build in your views to Southwest. dean house. 4 bed, isa 1,824 cell 801.791.7383 office 801.745.2456 addie@buyogdenvalley.c www.buy alley.com |