Commissioners request plan B for Hooper Canal trail alignment after split planning commission recommendation

Weber County commissioners on May 12 discussed a developer request to rezone roughly 30 acres in the Western River area to allow residential development. Staff said the planning commission forwarded the application with a conditional recommendation requiring a trail along the southern boundary adjacent to the Hooper Canal or an alternative alignment if canal permission could not be obtained.

Staff presented the applicant’s concept plan and explained the planning commission vote was 4–3 in favor of approval with an explicit requirement for a trail along the southernmost subdivision boundary connecting to 4100 West. Commissioners said canal-company permission has been slow or uncertain historically and asked staff and the developer to present a plan B that would provide pedestrian connectivity if the canal company declines permission.

County staff said the developer must provide off-site pathway and roadway improvements as part of the development agreement and that staff recommends working with neighboring developers to coordinate an alignment. Commissioners requested the developer and staff return with more detail on (1) the dissenting planning commissioners’ concerns, (2) alternatives that ensure pedestrian connectivity if canal access is denied, and (3) whether off-site trail funding from per-door open-space contributions could be used for external trail improvements.

No final action was taken during the work session; commissioners asked staff to bring the rezone back after canal easement discussions and to coordinate a planning commission follow-up so the planning commission, not the commission, helps finalize the trail alignment before a county hearing.