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Ogden Valley planning commission recommends denial of Liberty rezone request
Summary
The commission voted to recommend denial of ZNA2025-07, a request to rezone ~28.65 acres in Liberty from AV-3 to A-1, after staff and residents raised concerns about water, septic constraints, lack of transferable development rights (TDRs) and inconsistency with the 2016 Ogden Valley General Plan.
The Ogden Valley Planning Commission voted Nov. 24 to recommend denial of ZNA2025-07, a petition to rezone roughly 28.65 acres in Liberty from Agricultural-AV-3 (three-acre minimum) to A-1 (one-acre lots).
The applicant, Jason Boren, told commissioners the land has been in his family since 1971 and that one-acre zoning would allow descendants to build homes on family lots. “This is not something that’s going to put a strain on any infrastructure,” Boren said during his presentation, arguing the property is flat, adjacent to other one-acre lots and suitable for modest development.
Staff and several commissioners raised technical and policy objections. Planning staff noted the parcel may fall inside drinking-water source protection rings that could prohibit septic systems in zones 1 and 2 and said the applicant did not propose transferable development rights (TDRs) that staff would expect for a density increase. “If the benefits outweigh the risks, then feel free to make a recommendation for approval,” staff said, but also warned that without TDRs the application would conflict with the general plan.
Residents who live near the parcel urged denial. Kevin De Harsell said the general plan’s intent was to avoid net increases in valley density except where TDRs moved density from other places, adding, “Not to wave a magic wand and increase density.” Other neighbors warned that new wells and additional septic systems could reduce water availability and harm existing wells.
Commissioners framed the vote in land‑use policy terms. Several said up‑zoning the valley floor would contradict the adopted 2016 Ogden Valley General Plan’s preference for concentrating higher intensity development in designated village centers. After discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend denial; the motion carried by voice vote.
Next steps: The planning commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Weber County Commission, which has final land‑use authority on the rezoning request.
