Planning commission recommends Langford development agreement to preserve farm and allow up to three lots

The Ogden Valley Planning Commission voted 5-0 on Aug. 26, 2025, to recommend approval of a development agreement that would allow Kirk Langford to record up to three residential lots on his 40-acre working farm while preserving the remainder of the property for agricultural use.

Langford told commissioners his request is part of family and estate planning and said the subdivision is intended to keep the property a working farm while providing options for heirs or to generate income if needed. He described a plan that includes road upgrades, fire-department conditions, and culinary and secondary water service from Weber Basin Water Conservancy District.

The commission’s recommendation comes with detailed conditions and a draft development agreement that, according to Langford and staff, will require phased road construction and fire access upgrades. Langford said the private drive will meet fire-district widths, pullouts will be constructed every 200 feet before the first home is built, and the total length of 2300 North will be widened to 20 feet before additional homes are occupied. He said Weber Basin will provide culinary and secondary water and that county health approvals for on-site wastewater have been secured for two of the proposed lots; the third lot remains conditional pending a final soils report from the health department.

Planning staff told the commission the project aligns with the A B-3 agricultural zoning and Ogden Valley’s general plan goals to preserve agricultural lands and rural character. The staff presentation noted cross-agency review and that the applicant agreed to donate a 60-foot easement to preserve future ingress/egress and to keep a drainage corridor open across the southern portion of the property.

Commissioners emphasized the applicant’s longstanding stewardship of the land and the plan’s written commitments to fire and road improvements. Commissioner Barber made the motion to recommend approval; Commissioner Frower seconded. The commission voted unanimously to forward the recommendation to the county commission.

The planning commission’s action is a recommendation only; the county commission is the final approval authority for the development agreement. If the county approves the agreement, the conditions discussed at the planning meeting — including the road, fire-access and water conditions described by staff and the applicant — will be incorporated into the recorded development agreement and plat notes.

Langford said he has worked with the fire marshal and county engineering and expects the final development agreement to reflect the conditions spelled out in the meeting. The planning commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the county commission as the next step in the review process.