Kayla Landing rezone, development agreement returned to commission after planning commission approval; park acreage, water and density discussed

Rick Gerber, county planner, and representatives from Heritage Land Development presented the Kayla Landing rezone and draft development agreement to the Weber County Commission at the Feb. 3, 2025 work session. Gerber said the item previously went back to the planning commission and that the planning commission reviewed and approved it.

"We sent that back to the planning commission, and they reviewed it. They approved it," Gerber said, noting the planning commission added conditions related primarily to trail connectivity. Gerber added that developers had addressed those conditions and that a few minor items in the development agreement remained under review with county staff.

Developers told commissioners they had altered the project plan so a portion of land originally designated as open space and parkland will be conveyed to the park district, while another portion of that area will be developed for housing. Gerber and developer representatives said the park district had provided a letter supporting the arrangement and that the parties continue to finalize the development agreement.

Commissioners pressed for clarity on density, park acreage and water. A developer representative said the project as now proposed was approved originally under the county's cluster ordinance and that the revised plan results in additional units compared with that earlier approval; staff said the net increase was effectively 70 more units than under the prior cluster calculation, while remaining below density that would be allowed under the county's newer zone. The developer also said it is funding additional road and trail work, including widening along 3639 West to create a boulevard and improve connectivity to a nearby high school.

Commissioners and park-district board members had asked whether the park acreage changed from an original expectation of about 50 acres. Presenters said earlier transfers had already conveyed roughly 10 acres and that the current conveyance adds roughly another 22 to 24 acres, leaving the total park acreage somewhat under the originally stated 50 acres.

Developers and staff discussed water conveyance for the park. Staff said two existing wells on site will yield about 5.12 acre-feet that would go to the park district; they said a water attorney is working on final conveyance language and that previous owners had not fully conveyed water rights during prior probate matters.

Gerber said the planning commission's vote was unanimous and that staff expects the development agreement to be ready for placement on the county commission agenda within a week or two. Public comment at the planning commission hearing included a few speakers, but Gerber said none raised substantive objections and the park district letter echoed similar acceptance of the proposed tradeoffs.

Commissioners did not take final action at the work session; staff and the developer will return once outstanding development agreement details and minor edits are finalized.