Planning commission recommends annexation of Cold Springs area, applies R‑1‑10 zone

The North Ogden City Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council annex about 19.71 acres near 1050 East and 2400 North and apply the single‑family R‑1‑10 zone, commissioners said at a public meeting. The commission attached three conditions including two dedicated asphalt connections to Oak Lawn Park, required subdivision or escrow before building permits, and relocation of the Cold Springs Trout Farm sign under a development agreement.

Planning staff presenter Scott Hess, Community and Economic Development Director, told the commission the annexation petition covers “approximately 19.71 acres” north of the trout farm and east of Fruitland Drive and is owned by the Lyman Barker family. Hess said the applicant submitted a conceptual plan that staff interpreted as conforming to the general plan and R‑1‑10 requirements. He said the application includes a proposed private access configuration and noted an adjacent parcel (the NNC Johnson Family Trust) would remain unincorporated unless that owner elects to join the petition or the city council requires its inclusion.

Hess described access and development elements and recommended conditions. He said the proposal calls for a 30‑foot private access drive that would improve the existing 20‑foot lane to the Cold Springs Trout Farm and that staff recommends two dedicated asphalt connections to Oak Lawn Park and an improved trail inside Oak Lawn Park to provide walkable access from the new subdivision. Hess also noted the applicant had requested flexibility on lot sizes and that there is no R‑1‑10 requirement to provide on‑site open space, so the park connections were suggested as an alternative.

Mark Hansen, the applicant’s representative who identified himself as "from Far West, Citi," clarified the park access would be walking access only. Neil Barker, owner of Cold Springs Trout Farm, said the proposed 30‑foot access would “alleviate a ton of problems” caused by the existing narrow lane and asked that the farm’s off‑premise sign be moved to a city‑approved location north of the church along Fruitland Drive. “Signage and access is really the most important,” Barker said, adding the farm hopes to remain partly in agricultural use while portions are developed.

Commissioners discussed the trail connection length and location and whether the access should be a public street or a private drive; staff told commissioners that city council could require a public road as part of later approvals. The planning commission’s motion recommended approval to city council with the three conditions read into the record. Commissioners Gardner, Webb, Watson and Neighbor voted yes, the motion was seconded and the commission chair also voted yes, resulting in a unanimous recommendation.

The commission’s action is a recommendation; final annexation and any required subdivision approvals and public hearings will occur before the City Council under state annexation procedures. The city recorder will send formal notices ahead of the council public hearing, and county notices have already been distributed to some property owners, staff said.