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Show Volume XXIII Issue XVIII The Ogden Valley news Page 3 March 1, 2016 Letters to the Editor Weber County Commissioners Support Mixed Use Development in Huntsville Town In mid-January, I received this letter of support from our three Weber County Commissioners regarding the proposed mixeduse development in Huntsville, and would like to share their thoughts. Dear Mayor, The Weber County Commissioners are working hard to promote prosperity for their citizens through organized economic development and managed growth. We are excited to see the vision that Mayor Truett and his staff have in their new mixed use zone. Clustering growth through zoning will enhance Huntsville Town’s vitality and bring in much needed sale tax revenue while creating a sense of community. We support this new development that will be located in the one acre parcel of the former Valley School property. In addition, the architecture of this rustic and charming mixed use village will not only help to preserve the Huntsville Town heritage, but also beautify the area. We believe that Weber County is truly where economic opportunity and outdoor recreation meet. With forward-thinking developers, diverse employment opportunities and authentic cities and towns, we know that Huntsville Town will find success in their developments as they manage their town wisely. Sincerely, Jim Truett, Huntsville Mayor Proposed Huntsville Development Would Help Foster Values Many Town Residents Hold So Dear Huntsville Town is facing a major decision as it grows along with the rest of Ogden Valley. According to Weber County Planning, the population of the Valley will double by 2032, there will be more houses than permanent residents, and even fewer, than now, will house children under the age of 18. Thanks to a grant and loan, Huntsville Town was able to acquire the land used by the old Valley Elementary School in October 2011. Weber County demolished the school, leaving a non-landscaped, vacant lot. One of the stated goals in Huntsville Town’s General Plan (March 2011) is, “Huntsville Town will continue to encourage suitable public and commercial development in the traditional commercial center of town, in hopes of maintaining its unique character. The demolition of the elementary school made a significant negative impact on this area….” The Huntsville Town Council/Planning Commission has spent the past four years investigating numerous ways to revitalize this property, finally electing to sell a .99-acre parcel to a local developer who has done excellent work on other parcels in the same area. The developer’s plan is to construct a mixed-use commercial-residential project, which has been described in other articles carried by this paper. A group of residents has decided to challenge the Town Council’s decision and are circulating a petition to force the decision to a special election. I urge residents to carefully So Disappointed with Biased Reporting For as long as The Ogden Valley news has been in publication, I have enjoyed the local articles and support of our small community. Over the last five years or so, I have been increasingly disturbed over the negative bias that has been spun by the owner and editor towards Powder Mountain. Whether reporting on snow conditions, the motocross event or the new ownership and proposed development of the Powder Mountain area and the use of Powder Mountain’s own water rights, Mrs. Francis has reflected negatively on every article involving Powder Mountain. Summit Mountain Holding Group, LLC had a large hurdle to overcome when it purchased Powder Mountain from the previous development company that underhandedly attempted to create “Powder Mountain Town.” Since Summit purchased Powder Mountain, the owners have been transparent in their plans for development. You may not be aware that Summit’s proposal for their village limits the size of homes to be under a certain square-footage rather than encouraging huge, monstrosities slope-side. They will experience growing pains, but their intentions are in the right place. The water dilemma was handled up front and Summit has gone to great lengths to cooperate with the requirements placed on them to utilize their own water rights. The “Summit Sucks Water” signs sicken me and border on slander because Summit has not robbed anyone of their water. Summit has taken this slanderous advertising with dignity and has not lashed out publicly to dispute the claims of stealing water from the rest of the community. My husband and I moved to this valley many years ago—why? To be close to Powder Mountain, my second family. Many of the loudest complainants are newcomers who came to Eden for the same reason. We don’t want to see the valley change, but it is inevitable and we will move forward gracefully. Powder Mountain is an indisputable asset to the valley; it offers unmatched backcountry skiing, sponsors national snowboarding competitions, has created a fantastic mountain-bike trail system and will again be hosting the national championship snow-bike finals. These are just a few of the positive contributions that I would like to see reported on in The Ogden Valley news. Kim Arave, Eden Baby moose in Huntsville. Photo by Becky Wood. review the facts that have been presented in making their decision on whether to support this project or not. The Huntsville Town Council/Planning Commission unanimously feels that this project perfectly meets the noted goal in the General Plan and would help to foster a continuation of the values many town residents hold so dear. While not risk free, the project offers major support to the revitalization of the historic center of town by providing housing that young families would be able to afford, and bringing in desirable businesses that may provide jobs for local residents and tax revenue for the town. Ron Gault, Chairman, Huntsville Planning Commission Condos Will Transform Huntsville into a Resort Destination A poison apple—no matter how attractive it appears—will be deadly once you take a bite. The beginning of condo development in Huntsville will transform the town from a community into a resort destination. Just as Summit developers lobbied Weber County Commissioners, Ski Town Venture, LLC (Jeff Hyde) has been lobbying to begin condo development in Huntsville. A lobbying packet from was sent to Huntsville voters, which included a letter with the Weber County Commissioners’ endorsement to begin condo development in Huntsville Town. The County Commissioners would love nothing better than to begin the transformation of our Huntsville community into a “Ski Town” or, more accurately, a resort destination like Park City or Aspen. If the development of condos begins, it will then make future exceptions for condo development easier. It also makes it easier for future exceptions to the current rental ordinance to be passed. The minute you take the poison, the affects of the poison begin. Ruston McKay, Huntsville Not Another Drinking Fountain If Huntsville Town were simply installing another drinking fountain in the park, I doubt anyone would be too concerned. A drinking fountain does not have the same impact on a town like a decision to change a zoning ordinance and approval of a condo/retail development. With such a decision, one would think Huntsville Town would most definitely want to know the majority position of the community on something with such far-reaching effects. It should be very clear that the opposition to the ordinance change is not about additional tax revenue for the town. It is not against having a beautiful gathering place. It is not against people having a thriving business and source of income. However, this seems to be the picture supporters of the project and Ski Town Venture, LLC are painting. The real issue is the introduc- tion of condos into Huntsville Town proper, and the precedent it will set for future developments. As interested residents of Huntsville, we should be jumping at the opportunity to have the final say in this matter. When Huntsville residents sign the official petition to put this zoning change up for a vote, the people win— plain and simple. Those seeing the danger of this condo development do not have the money to lobby and campaign like the Summit Group or Ski Town Venture, LLC. Consequently, every Huntsville resident should sign the petition to insure a vote by the people. Visit huntsvilleunited.blog.com for more information. Chris Stevenson, Huntsville Inspirational Thought “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” --Aesop |