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Show THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume IX Issue I Page 3 October 15, 2003 Guest Commentary Thoughts on the Future of Eden The current question before the citizens of Eden is whether or not to look at the incorporation of Eden. The first step in this process is to determine the financial viability of such an endeavor. A petition requesting the County to conduct such a study is currently in progress. This has resulted in two groups who are either for or against such a study taking place, with underlying question being whether or not we should consider incorporation. Those opposed to incorporation want to protect the current lifestyle and rural atmosphere where we have chosen to live, work, do business, and enjoy the Valley and all that it offers. Those in favor of incorporation want to protect the current lifestyle and rural atmosphere where we have chosen to live, work, do business, and enjoy the Valley and all that it offers. In other words both groups want the same thing. The question is which is the best approach. In either case some basic facts need to be brought before the public. our schools, parks, roads, lakes, fire department, police and all other community resources. Already there exist about 15 commercial lots available in the Valley Junction Area for sale and immediate construction. There does not cur rently exist sufficient planning to ensure that what is built there will reflect the values we desire for Eden. In other words the current Eden which we all live it and enjoy has already been dramatically altered by current and past events. So the question before us is who you want to be your voice in guiding the future growth and development of our infrastructure. The choice really is simple, we can continue with the Weber County Commissioners making these decisions for us or we can elect local officials to make the decision for us. The Current Planning Process I have been a member of the “Eden Over 2,000 Building Lots Approved in Planning Committee” for about ten years, have been its chairman on four different Eden Currently there are over 2,000 approved building lots in the immediate Eden area, and possibly as high as 3,000 in the entire valley. These lots will continue to exist whether “Eden” is a city or remains part of unincorporated Weber County. When these lots are built out, assuming an average of three people per family, we have the potential of an additional 6,000 people in Eden. This is without any additional lots being approved. When added to our current population we will have a potential of 8,000 citizens living, working, and enjoying “Eden.” Remember this growth has already been approved by our county and cannot be changed. Additional Commercial Development This increased population will attract additional commercial development, increased requirements and burdens on occasions, and have had the opportunity to represent you at numerous planning commission and county commissioners meetings. This is the current planning process: The Weber County Planning Staff works closely with developers to make sure that they meet county requirements. They develop and implement new ordinances for all of unincorporated Weber County. They have to prepare for and attend all Township and Commissioner Meetings. In Ogden Valley alone they prepare for and support the Weber County Township, the Liberty/Nordic Valley Township, and the East Huntsville Township meetings. In my opinion they are overworked and understaffed to keep up with all of their responsibilities. They are very good at working with large scale developments, perhaps not so good at working with your personal problems, and virtually unable to do long term planning for all Subscriptions available for out of area residents at $18.00 annually. Send payment with mailing address to: THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS P O BOX 130 EDEN UT 84310 Carpet, Upholstery, Drapery, Tile & Grout Cleaning Call 801-731-8079 100% Guaranteed FASHION & FOOD HOLIDAY GALA!! Mark Your Calendar Thursday, October 23rd Set Your Watch 2:00 — 8:30 p.m. Where am I Going??? 2602 E 5100 N., Liberty 801.391.2350 www.umedesigns.com You are invited to celebrate the imagination of the holiday season with a shopping experience you won’t forget! Designer and vintage-inspired bags, jewelry and clothing from Ume’ Designs Scrumptious food treats from Tastefully Simple. Please bring your friends and share time with us. Don’t miss out onfashion, food & fun! Shop happy. Leave happy. (First 5 people to purchase a handbag will receive 15% off entire handbag purchase!) of the different townships they work with. The “Eden Planning Committee” is elected in an annual public election held in October. The seven members volunteer to serve for four years. This committee reports areas of concern to the “Weber County Township Planning Commission.” The committee is not allowed to make recommendations, but only bring areas of concern to the attention of the commission. The “Weber County Township Planning Commission” is appointed by the county commissioners. It is composed of 7 members, currently 3 are from the Eden area. They are able to make recommendations to the County Commissioners. They have responsibility for all of unincorporated Weber County not in another township. Both the Weber County Planning Commission and Eden Planning Committee have only four or five days to review and prepare to consider a new subdivision or ordinance change. The Planning Commission meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month and typically the proposed agenda is not available for review until the afternoon of the preceding Thursday. The “Weber County Commissioners” are elected by the entire county. They con sider the recommendations of the Planning Commission; however they can do whatever they want. They do not have to follow the planning commission recommendations. There are several sub divisions in Eden where the commissioners approved the project after the Weber County Township Planning Commission recommended disapproval or modification. The Commissioners responsibility is to the entire county not just Eden. Their decisions therefore represent what they personally feel would benefit Weber County. The bottom line is that you as a citizen of Eden do not have enough votes to elect the Weber County Commissioners who will make the decision on how Eden will look in the Future. Advantages of Incorporation If Eden were incorporated you would have an opportunity to elect your fellow neighbors to represent you. If you did not like the way they led the city you will have the power to elect someone else the next election. Would your elected Eden Officials always do what you want? Of course not, but they would be from the community and would have responsibility to only Eden. Who would be the community leaders? To my knowledge no one has stepped forward and officially stated they wanted to run for Mayor or town councilmen. The process of incorporation will probably take at least a year so it is premature to speculate on who they will be. If you have strong interest in the direction that Eden should and will take then you have the opportunity to step up and run for office. You Are Deciding Eden’s Future I would rather have you providing the leadership and guidance for our future than someone who does not even live in Eden. This may be the last time for many years when you actually will have a voice in the future direction of Eden. If you don’t get involved now and Eden doesn’t turn out the way you want it to you are going to have to look in the mirror and say to yourself “I had an opportunity to get involved and make a difference and I didn’t take it. Do I have the right to complain now that Eden did not turn out the way I wanted?” The bottom line is who is going to make the decisions for the future of Eden. Local leaders who are elected by the citizens of Eden and are responsive to your needs and concerns or Weber County Commissioners who are elected county wide and have to represent the entire county. If you would like local government to lead us into the future the first step toward self determination is to sign the feasibility petition to determine if incorporation is financially feasible at this time. Your choice! Dick Manley, FLU SHOTS & PNEUMONIA SHOTS will be available beginning October 13, 2003 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the Ogden Valley Clinic (located in the Eats of Eden Plaza). Call 745-3574 for an appointment. Saturday October 18 the Ogden Valley Clinic will hold a flu clinic from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Walk-in visits accepted - appointments preferred. |