Weber County planning commission recommends denying county's water-wise landscaping text amendment tied to Weber Basin incentives

The Weber County Planning Commission voted unanimously at a July work session to recommend denial of a county-initiated zoning-text amendment (ZTA 2023-04) that would have implemented Weber Basin Water Conservancy District's recommended "water-wise" landscaping standards across the county to enable residents in unincorporated areas to qualify for certain Weber Basin financial incentives.

The amendment proposed new landscaping limits and standards for new development: for single-family lots, no more than 35% of the front and side yard (or, in the draft, no more than 3,000 square feet) could be irrigated turfgrass; for commercial, industrial, institutional and multifamily developments, irrigated turfgrass would be limited to no more than 15% of total landscape area; park strips and any landscaped area under 8 feet in width would be prohibited from irrigated turfgrass. The draft also included requirements for low-flow drip irrigation for park-strip trees and a recommended park-strip cross section made of angular rock for some commercial settings. Planning staff emphasized that the proposed ordinance was county-initiated to allow residents access to Weber Basin incentives but was not a state mandate.

During the public hearing multiple residents and commissioners expressed concern that the draft did not reflect climate and lot-size differences across Weber County, particularly in Ogden Valley where parcels are larger, the growing season is different and abundant green corridors help moderate local microclimates. Public comments cited studies and speakers' health, environmental and urban-heat concerns, arguing that turfgrass and trees provide cooling, wildlife habitat and groundwater recharge. Some commissioners said the draft would be an overly prescriptive change to residential landscaping in areas that historically have more irrigated green space.

After public comment, a commissioner moved to recommend denial of ZTA 2023-04, stating that the amendment would be inconsistent with the county's general plan and would not serve the public benefit in the county's more rural and higher-elevation areas; the motion included a request that the county seek a mechanism to allow residents to participate in Weber Basin's incentive programs without adopting the proposed restrictive landscaping code changes. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote (6-0 present).

Why it matters: The proposal tied county code changes to a regional water-provider incentive program. Planning commissioners framed their denial as an attempt to preserve local discretion and avoid an ordinance that would treat Ogden Valley's climate and lot patterns the same as suburban parts of western Weber County. Commissioners did not block the county or staff from continuing to negotiate with Weber Basin about whether and how residents can receive incentives without a countywide code change.

Next steps: Planning staff said they will continue dialog with Weber Basin and return any revised approach to the planning commission and county commission for further review.