The rezoning by ordinance clears the way for the development of Harper Haven, a 74-lot subdivision by the Holland Group, featuring single-family homes and community amenities, including a 10-foot-wide multi-use trail, tree-lined sidewalks, dark-sky-compliant lighting and water-efficient landscaping. Approval of the related development agreement was recommended by the Western Weber Planning Commission.

Tammy Aydelotte of Weber County Planning said the developer has been responsive to concerns about connectivity in the proposed development. The developer will also donate $7,500 per lot, adjusted annually for inflation, to support parks and open space as a benefit exchange for rezoning approval.

“What they’re proposing fits right in with the general plan for this medium-sized lot density,” Aydelotte added.

A clause in the development agreement states that if the project is not developed within 10 years, the zoning will automatically revert to its previous agricultural designation.

Commissioners also approved a grant agreement between the county and the Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management for improvements to the Weber County Sports Complex and the Ice Sheet, which is slated to host the 2026 World Men’s Curling Championship.

“For our local curling community, this is huge. It’s second only to getting the Olympics here, really,” Burke Baker of the Ogden Curling Club told the Standard-Examiner following the World Men’s Curling Championship announcement. “It’s the best in the world coming here, and you’re able to see them without having to travel to Italy and pay Olympic prices. You get to see them right in your own backyard.”

The county has been awarded $3.8 million through the Olympic and Paralympic Venues Grant Fund for renovations. The Ice Sheet previously served as a venue for curling events during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Commissioner Jim Harvey praised Marty Smith and Todd Ferrario of the Weber County Culture, Parks & Recreation Department for the ongoing work to prepare the Ice Sheet for the curling championship, which he referred to as an “Olympic test event.”

Also approved during the meeting was the first reading of an ordinance increasing the fines for parking violations in the vicinity of Pineview and Causey reservoirs, specifically targeting violations occurring during the summer months. Those areas include the road to Causey Reservoir and all branching roads east of the entrance to the Weber Memorial Park campground, as well as all locations within a quarter mile of Pineview Reservoir’s high-water mark.

The county commission’s decision to increase parking violation fines in those areas followed consultations with key stakeholders, including the Utah Department of Transportation, Weber County Roads & Engineering and the Sheriff’s Office.

“Everyone came to the agreement that something needed to be done to solve this problem,” said Weber County Community Development Director Wilkinson, citing safety concerns related to pedestrians walking to their vehicles.

Currently, parking violations in these areas result in fines of $50 if the ticket is paid within 14 days of issuance and $100 if paid after 14 days. The adjusted fines, applicable between May 15 and Sept. 15, will be $150 if paid within 14 days and $300 if paid after 14 days for first-time offenders only.

Vehicle owners who have received previous citations within the year prior to being ticketed for a repeat violation will be subject to fines of $300 and $600, respectively. These fines will remain in place until the newly incorporated Ogden Valley City approves a new fee schedule.

The Weber County Commission meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Commission meetings are viewable online via the county’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@webercountyutah/.