At last City Council meeting two new Planning Commission Members were added. The two people are Jennifer Bunker and Jonathan Wright. They are finishing two terms vacated by Nancy Litchford and Donald Fulton. Jennifer Bunker will finish the four years left on Donald Fulton's term and Jonathan Wright will finish the one year left on Nancy Litchford's term.
South Ogden City ran a brief article in the newspaper soliciting applicants for the two positions. We were pleased to see that numerous people were interested in filling the positions. The Mayor interviewed interested candidates and appointed two of them to the Planning Commission. The City Council gave their advice and consent to the appointments in council meeting making the action official.
We welcome our new Planning Commission members and look forward getting them trained and geared up for future land-use issues in South Ogden.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Riverdale Road Project
It has been in the plans for quite a few years, but Riverdale Road will start getting it's upgrade this year. The funding this year is to widen the road to three lanes on each side from I-84 to the Weber River (viaduct). Funding for future widening from the viaduct to Washington Blvd. is still not committed to the project. Until it is committed this part of the project is essentially on hold.
Riverdale Road is a state highway and therefore is funded through the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). Riverdale Road from the Mattress Furniture Outlet Store and Cafe Rio to 36th Street is in South Ogden City limits. Because it is funded by UDOT we are at their mercy as to when they will complete this project. The best we can do at this point is to keep our citizens updated and wait and see if funding becomes available.
UDOT has set up website, email, and phone number for information.
Website: http://udot.utah.gov/vineyard
Email: vineyard@ppbh.com
Phone Number: 801-753-7343
Riverdale Road is a state highway and therefore is funded through the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). Riverdale Road from the Mattress Furniture Outlet Store and Cafe Rio to 36th Street is in South Ogden City limits. Because it is funded by UDOT we are at their mercy as to when they will complete this project. The best we can do at this point is to keep our citizens updated and wait and see if funding becomes available.
UDOT has set up website, email, and phone number for information.
Website: http://udot.utah.gov/vineyard
Email: vineyard@ppbh.com
Phone Number: 801-753-7343
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Easter Egg Stuffing- Volunteers Needed
It's that time of year to prepare for the South Ogden City Easter Egg Hunt. In order to successfully pull this off we need your help. Various businesses have donated plastic eggs, candy, and coupons for the Easter Egg Hunt. Actually 20,000 eggs in all. We need help stuffing them.
We have three days set up at City Hall (3950 Adams Avenue) for volunteers to help us stuff eggs. We will provide pizza and a family movie to those that want to come and join us.
Thursday, March 13th 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Friday, March 14th 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 15th 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
You can stay for one hour or all three if you can. If you are interested contact Special Events Coordinator Christy Love at 622-2705 or email her at clove@southogdencity.com.
In case you were wondering our Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, March 22nd at 9:00 a.m. Sharp! Don't be late. The Hunt is over in less than 5 minutes.
The Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Friendship Park (655 E. 5500 S.) in South Ogden. Children 12 and younger are invited to participate. The Easter Bunny will be available at 8:00 a.m. as well as after the event for pictures.
We hope to see you there!
Friday, February 15, 2008
RAMP
You may have heard of RAMP, but have always wondered what it is. RAMP is an acronym for Recreation Arts Museums and Parks. RAMP is a tax that was passed a couple years ago by Weber County voters to add an additional 1/10 of 1 cent on the sales tax. This money is specifically earmarked for RAMP activities.
RAMP generates roughly $3 million dollars a year. Since it is a county-wide tax it is distributed to various entities throughout the county. Cities are one of the main recipients of these funds. For more information on RAMP you can click here.
RAMP generates roughly $3 million dollars a year. Since it is a county-wide tax it is distributed to various entities throughout the county. Cities are one of the main recipients of these funds. For more information on RAMP you can click here.
Every city in Weber County receives a minimum of $5,000 for parks and recreation projects. If your city is over 5,000 people then you receive $1 per resident. The last couple of years South Ogden City has received roughly $15,000 each year. We have used this money to upgrade two baseball fields at Friendship Park. The money we will receive this year is earmarked to upgrade our baseball field at Club Heights Park.
In 2006 South Ogden received over $150,000 that went towards Phase 1 of the South Ogden Nature Park. Below are some pictures as to what that money was used for:
South Ogden Nature Park Small Tot-Lot and Bowery
South Ogden Nature Park Large Tot-Lot
The city also used some of this money for a restroom as well. Because of RAMP funds the city was able to move the project up a whole year which saved us money because of the ever rising costs of construction.
South Ogden City has applied for $275,000 of 2008 RAMP monies for Phase 2 of the Nature Park. The total cost of this phase is $550,000. The city already has the $275,000 match ready to go.
Phase 2 of the Nature Park is mainly a 12' asphalt trail that extends just south of the "traditional" aspects of the park. It will also allow for some trees and other things to be added to Phase 1. This trail will give residents a paved surface in which they can walk, jog, or bike. The trail will wind up through the gully just north of Brier Pointe subdivision.
The city should know by mid-March whether we have received the funding or not. We are keeping our fingers crossed that we'll be able to complete Phase 2 this summer.
Friday, February 8, 2008
The Planning Commission
Thanks to BenJoe Markland for posting a comment and asking "What does the Planning Commission discuss?" So with that introduction I'll do my best to explain the Planning Commission and what they do.
Who serves on the Planning Commission?
The South Ogden Planning Commission consists of seven members who are all appointed by the Mayor with advice and consent of the City Council. It is important to understand this distinction because they are not elected officials. Therefore their role is substantially different than the City Council.
What issues do the Planning Commission discuss?
The Planning Commission mainly deals with land use issues. This ranges from subdivision approvals, amendments to the General Plan or Zoning Ordinance, annexations, non-conforming uses, etc.
How are they different from the City Council?
Their main function is to be an advisory body to the City Council. Most decisions that the Planning Commission make are sent to the City Council as a "recommendation". The City Council then has final say as the legislative body of the city. If the issue is minor in nature i.e. a conditional use permit then the issue does not go before the City Council.
When do they meet?
Our Planning Commission meets on the second Thursday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in the South Ogden Council Chambers at City Hall.
Is the public invited to attend?
YES. This is an open government meeting. Their agendas are posted at City Hall and in the Standard-Examiner.
Can the public participate?
Often times agenda items require a public hearing. The public is allowed to speak at that time.
Does the Planning Commission have an advisor?
The Planning Commission is advised by a professional city planner. The planner for South Ogden is Ken Jones. Ken will put all the information together including his recommendation to the Planning Commission on each agenda item.
Can you walk us through a typical Planning Commission issue?
Let's say a developer wants to put in a commercial building. They make application with the city and then the plans are sent to the City Planner. The Planner reviews the plans and makes his recommendations of changes that might be needed. The plans are also reviewed by other city departments as needed.
The City Planner makes a recommendation to the Planning Commission on the site plan. The Planning Commission will review the site plan and possibly make additional changes as they think necessary. This could include the look of building, the parking requirements, ingress and egress, landscaping etc. They can grant preliminary approval to the developer pending the requested changes.
Once the developer makes the changes necessary then final approval is granted and the site plan is approved for development.
I hope all this information helps as the Planning Commission is an important function of any city. If you have any further questions then post a comment or send me a email and I'll do my best to answer them.
Who serves on the Planning Commission?
The South Ogden Planning Commission consists of seven members who are all appointed by the Mayor with advice and consent of the City Council. It is important to understand this distinction because they are not elected officials. Therefore their role is substantially different than the City Council.
What issues do the Planning Commission discuss?
The Planning Commission mainly deals with land use issues. This ranges from subdivision approvals, amendments to the General Plan or Zoning Ordinance, annexations, non-conforming uses, etc.
How are they different from the City Council?
Their main function is to be an advisory body to the City Council. Most decisions that the Planning Commission make are sent to the City Council as a "recommendation". The City Council then has final say as the legislative body of the city. If the issue is minor in nature i.e. a conditional use permit then the issue does not go before the City Council.
When do they meet?
Our Planning Commission meets on the second Thursday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in the South Ogden Council Chambers at City Hall.
Is the public invited to attend?
YES. This is an open government meeting. Their agendas are posted at City Hall and in the Standard-Examiner.
Can the public participate?
Often times agenda items require a public hearing. The public is allowed to speak at that time.
Does the Planning Commission have an advisor?
The Planning Commission is advised by a professional city planner. The planner for South Ogden is Ken Jones. Ken will put all the information together including his recommendation to the Planning Commission on each agenda item.
Can you walk us through a typical Planning Commission issue?
Let's say a developer wants to put in a commercial building. They make application with the city and then the plans are sent to the City Planner. The Planner reviews the plans and makes his recommendations of changes that might be needed. The plans are also reviewed by other city departments as needed.
The City Planner makes a recommendation to the Planning Commission on the site plan. The Planning Commission will review the site plan and possibly make additional changes as they think necessary. This could include the look of building, the parking requirements, ingress and egress, landscaping etc. They can grant preliminary approval to the developer pending the requested changes.
Once the developer makes the changes necessary then final approval is granted and the site plan is approved for development.
I hope all this information helps as the Planning Commission is an important function of any city. If you have any further questions then post a comment or send me a email and I'll do my best to answer them.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
South Ogden City Council Meetings
South Ogden City Council meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at South Ogden City Hall (3950 Adams Avenue). City Council meetings are the cities doing their business in the public arena. We publish an agenda in the newspaper and on our website before every meeting. This agenda gives the public a chance to see what issues we are discussing during that particular meeting.
City Council meetings usually have pretty sparse attendance. Usually people show up if they have an issue on the agenda or if the city has a "hot-button" issue that is pending. Outside of a handful of people and the Boy Scouts we don't normally see people coming to the meeting "just to watch".
As a city we would love for our citizens to come to more meetings. We understand that they aren't always the most exciting thing to attend, but this is the citizen's business that is being conducted. Each meeting has time set aside for the public to make comments. These are times when issues can be brought before the City Council that maybe they weren't aware of. Once we're aware of the issue then we can take the steps needed to get it taken care of.
If you're not interested in a City Council meeting you can always attend a Planning Commission meeting. They meet on the second Thursday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council chambers at City Hall.
City Council meetings usually have pretty sparse attendance. Usually people show up if they have an issue on the agenda or if the city has a "hot-button" issue that is pending. Outside of a handful of people and the Boy Scouts we don't normally see people coming to the meeting "just to watch".
As a city we would love for our citizens to come to more meetings. We understand that they aren't always the most exciting thing to attend, but this is the citizen's business that is being conducted. Each meeting has time set aside for the public to make comments. These are times when issues can be brought before the City Council that maybe they weren't aware of. Once we're aware of the issue then we can take the steps needed to get it taken care of.
If you're not interested in a City Council meeting you can always attend a Planning Commission meeting. They meet on the second Thursday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council chambers at City Hall.
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