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Show Volume XXX Issue XII The Ogden Valley News Page 7 April 1, 2023 Dedication to Ag Land Spurs Request for Eden TDR Proposal Sunnyfield, LLC (aka Sunnyfield Farm) has been dedicated to the preservation of agriculture and agricultural land here in Ogden Valley. As part of this effort, Sunnyfield has worked diligently and spent a lot of resources to restore existing structures at Sunnyfield Farm, including the restoration of the farm shop (old milk barn) and the continued restoration of the large barns located west of Eden Park. Sunnyfield has devoted 36 developable acres to agricultural uses, and continues to work alongside a fifth-generation local farmer to help facilitate the operation of a working farm that is becoming a destination and also a source of local farm-raised product for Ogden Valley families. Representatives say that the dream of Sunnyfield LLC is to continue to reinvigorate a long-standing working farm that has been a part of the community since 1868 so it can be here for the community to enjoy for many generations to come. Sunnyfield requests to transfer eight development rights from 2103 N. 5500 E. in Eden. This would leave a remaining three development rights on that described property for a farmhouse(s) for a future farmer and his or her future family or farm workers. The eight development rights are to be transferred to Weber County Parcel # 220500017, which is approx. 22.94 acres. Under current land use code, the 22.94 acres carries seven current development rights. The eight TDR’s, along with the existing seven development rights, would then allow for a total of fifteen development rights on Weber County Parcel #220500017. This TDR will help Sunnyfield to continue using its current land for agricultural uses. Additionally, removing density in this area provides an excellent agricultural gateway into the Old Town Eden village node and moves the density into an area that is already developed on all sides including an existing subdivision (Eden Acres), which consists of higher density 1-acre lots. Sec 104-22-11 Form-Based Zone Transferrable Development Rights discusses the ability to transfer development rights as provided in the Ogden Valley General Plan. The eight TDRs would be transferring within the village node to an area that is designated for higher density and would be contiguous with and connected to an existing subdivision (Eden Acres) that consists of 1 acre lots. Land Use Principle 1.4 in the general plan states the general plan should “Employ mechanisms such as TDRs to reallocate existing authorized development units from less suitable to more suitable locations.” This TDR accomplishes that as it takes density out of the gateway into Old Town Eden additionally preserving viewsheds of Pineview Reservoir and transfers that density to be contiguous with an established 1-acre subdivision (Eden Acres). The Ogden Valley General plan discusses Gateways and Viewsheds as follows: “Ogden Valley’s natural setting provides opportunities for spectacular views of local agriculture, the mountains, Pineview Reservoir, and the stars in the night sky. The visual values of the Valley are most evident at major entry points, or gateways, and from roadways extending through the community. Residents feel that an important aspect of preserving the Valley’s rural character includes maintaining the sense of arrival at Ogden Valley gateways and preserving open view corridors at key points within the Valley. Snowcrest’s National Junior Honor Society is hosting a food drive through May 12. Canned/ boxed items can be dropped off at Snowcrest Jr. High’s front office. If you would like a pick-up from your home, please contact Celeste McKinney at 801-682-6390 or email cemckinney@wsd.net. Thank you for your support! pmp-utah.com For More Information Contact Rex 801-391-9272 Residents do not want development to be obtrusive or to unduly compromise these views.” The plan goes on to state that “integral elements of the character of the Ogden Valley plan area are the open farm fields, grasslands, and pastures of the Ogden Valley. In much of the rural west, agriculture areas provide for well-managed open spaces that are enjoyed by residents and visitors to the area. The presence of livestock, farm machinery and isolated farmhouses [and historic barns] contribute to the rural character of Ogden Valley.” The owner is currently going through the process of getting the larger barn on the farm on to the national register of historic places, just as was successfully done with Eden’s historic blacksmith shop—currently the only building in the valley with this designation. Additionally, Land Use Goal 2 in the general plan states that “a goal of Weber County is to support continued agricultural operations in Ogden Valley.” The transfer of TDRs is not adding any overall density to the village node. Rather, it transfers existing development rights to an already established higher density area, preserves open agricultural open space in the gateway to Old Town Eden, and helps support the viability of keeping an agricultural farm in Ogden Valley. The transfer of TDR’s fits within the guidelines and goals of the Ogden Valley General plan and would be beneficial to the community. Sunnyfield representatives say they believe that the Ogden Valley General Plan supports Sunnyfield’s transfer of TDR’s and the plan supports the goals of the Ogden Valley General plan. Keeping Sunnyfield a farm is a huge benefit to the community. Farming is difficult both physically and financially, however, this TDR will go a long way in helping the farm to stay a farm. “If the general plan’s TDR program does not work for this project, the what is it for?” Brine Shrimp Officially Named Utah’s State Crustacean The brine shrimp has official- brine shrimp, which has an economic impact ly joined the ranks of Utah state symbols after Gov. Spencer Cox signed H.B. 137 on Friday, March 17, formally designating the brine shrimp as the state crustacean. Brine shrimp are small crustaceans that inhabit salty waters around the world, both inland and on the coast. Ranging from ⅓ of an inch to a ½ inch, these shrimp are much smaller than the ones you eat. In Utah, they are only found in the Great Salt Lake. The brine shrimp produce eggs (called cysts), which are harvested by private companies and used as food for fish and commercially grown shrimp. The harvest of the brine shrimp cysts contributes to a multi-million dollar industry in Utah, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources manages the brine shrimp population and regulates harvest to help balance a unique ecosystem. The commercial brine shrimp fishery at the Great Salt Lake supplies over 40% of the worldwide demand for globally, as well. The Great Salt Lake and its associated wetlands provide an invaluable food source to around 10 million migratory birds, including about 330 different species. A variety of these birds feed on the brine shrimp in the Great Salt Lake, either exclusively or opportunistically, to fuel their long migrations. Eared grebes, in particular, molt while they are migrating through Utah in the fall, which means they are flightless and completely dependent on the brine shrimp in the Great Salt Lake for food. They will eat between 25,000 to 30,000 brine shrimp a day. The brine shrimp play another important role in the Great Salt Lake ecosystem by eating the algae in the lake. The adult shrimp typically freeze and die each December, while the cysts will survive and hatch in March. “The importance of the brine shrimp in the Great Salt Lake ecosystem can’t be overstated,” DWR Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program Manager John Luft said. “We are thrilled about the designation of the brine shrimp as the state crustacean and the attention they are getting for their role at the Great Salt Lake.” Low lake levels can result in higher salinity (salt concentrations) of the water, which would subsequently decrease the algae that are consumed by the brine shrimp and brine flies. Decreases in algae will ultimately impact the brine shrimp and brine flies, which would then have impacts on the birds that rely on them for food. Additionally, high salinities can directly impact brine shrimp by increasing the osmoregulation demands, which reduces their reproductive capacity and limits their growth. The brine shrimp isn’t the only wildlife to recently be recognized as a new state symbol. The golden eagle was named the state bird of A picture of two small brine shrimp. Photo prey last year, and in 2019, the Gila monster courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resourcecs. was designated the official state reptile. |