Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

OGDEN — A lawsuit that underscored the strong sentiments about development in western Weber County has been settled.

New houses in the area off 2200 South and 4300 West, meanwhile, continue to sprout. Dirt is even moving on part of the piece of property that had been at the center of the lawsuit filed by area resident Shae Bitton, upset over placement of the designated open space within the new subdivision.

Bitton filed the suit in 2nd District Court in Ogden in July 2020 against the Weber County Commission and Tremonton-based Heritage, the developer. She charged that commissioners acted beyond their authority in allowing Heritage’s plans, which call for 156 homes spread over 45 or so acres, to go forward. More specifically, she said the location of the planned open space in the development, some 64 acres, didn’t comply with county guidelines because it didn’t sit on the best agricultural land within the 109-acre development area.

The sides were apparently able to find middle ground, however, though development is a hot point of contention in the area as more and more homes in the traditionally rural area take shape. Bitton filed a motion to dismiss the case last month and Judge Camille Neider officially dismissed it last week, on Jan. 11.

Matt Wilson from the Weber County Attorney’s Office said a settlement in the matter calls on Heritage to donate land to the Western Weber Park District for a park. He didn’t have additional details and Bitton’s attorney, Kenyon Dove, wouldn’t delve into the matter, at least at this stage.

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

“There has been a settlement, but we’re trying to sort out some details,” Dove said. More information may be forthcoming when the wrinkles are ironed out. Reps from Heritage didn’t respond to queries seeking comment.

The Jan. 5 meeting agenda for the Western Weber Park District calls for consideration of a “donation agreement” with Heritage. Park officials, however, didn’t respond to queries seeking comment.

At any rate, work is moving ahead on the Heritage development, called Taylor Landing and surrounded by other housing developments. A new street has been placed in part of the Taylor Landing area, among other construction activity. The first phase of the plans, which received the green light from county commissioners last May, calls for 28 homes.