Town Hall Style Meeting with Mayor Jo and David Larsen

The South Weber Preservation & Conservation Advocates (SWPCA) put together a fantastic town hall style meeting with our mayor and city manager.  I was so happy to be able to be a part of this and am very grateful to Mayor Jo and David for coming.

We compiled questions from members of the South Weber Citizen's United group and chose 4 of the most often asked questions.  This was then stream lived on our Facebook page.  Each question was given approximately 15 minutes of discussion.   The questions were submitted to the mayor and the city before hand so they could come prepared and ready.  We had a great discussion.

Realizing we have lots of residents not on the facebook page we recorded it and uploaded it youtube so everyone could watch and view it.  While it is a bit long, it is worth your while.  However, realizing time is not something easy to come by for most, I have broken down the video into minute segments to better help you find what you are looking for.

Scroll down to see video:

First Question starting at minute 2:55 -18:35

1-     We have heard the statement “there is nothing we can do” in reference to The Lofts Developments more than once. We understand the zoning can’t be changed but that sentiment in the wake of so many citizens gathering to express concerns feels like a dismissal of said concerns. Robert Osborne referenced having a conditional use permit specified for any development on these parcels of land back in 2017 when the rezone was approved (see planning commission work meeting minutes for exact details) Has that conditional use been establish with the PC and CC along with city ordinance requirements for green space percentages, parking, setbacks, asthetic requirments, total number of allowable units for the 2.74 acres they have available to build, etc. If yes, please share what the city is doing to ensure this project doesn’t become the blight and eyesore everyone is suspecting. If no, how do we go about getting the conditions for a responsible development established now?  

Discussion/answers for question one:

•Once plans for The Lofts is submitted we will go through city code with a fine tooth comb to ensure the well-being and safety of all resident.

•The difference between about conditional use and permitted use

•Agreement for the Lofts length and when it starts 

Second question starting a minute 18:40-35:45

2-     Canyon Meadows initial investment was $1.5 million and the city currently has itemized improvements of 3 future phases totaling an additional $3.15 Million to be spent on Canyon Meadows (sources received this week from City Manager Larson). While the greatest percentage of citizens currently live in the central and east side of the city, the majority of the other parks are grass only detention basin parks, or several are old and dilapidated in need of significant improvements.  So why has the city budgeted items putting such a huge percentage into one single park impact fees have been used?  

Discussion/answers for question two:

•Impact fees are all we really have for park budget

•Wetland issues for Canyon Meadows

•Impact fees - what are they are and how they are used

•Grants and funding

•Trails

•Dog Park

Third question starting at minute 35:50-1:07:45

3-     Even though South Bench Drive was not formally adopted to the general plan by the public, the city has already begun financial Investments for it including buying property, diverting traffic to it with a median on 475 and starting on phase 1. In light of the 99.9% tax increase to address the desperate need our city has for improvements to our current infastrucutre and our safety why are you spending tax payer dollars speculating on future develpment in our city by funding a Road the public has never approved?   If the public opposes this road in all its phases, what then will be done?

Discussion/answers for question three:

•Road was approved in 2014 general plan but changed in 2018 and renamed South Bench Drive

•New plan for road (South Bench Drive) is a better alignment

•Why they are doing South Bench Drive

•What if the majority oppose it?

•'Sweeping T' on 475 E

•Lack of public involvement/comment

Fourth question starting at minute 1:07:46-1:44:00

4- Water increase, transportation fee, 100% tax increase, The Soccer Complex, The Lofts, Rays HDH Re-Zone, South Bench Drive... So far the public has pushed back on everyone of these issues and our elected reps and their appointees have ignored us every time. What is the most effective way for us as citizens to get our voice heard, and ensure the city government is working toward our goals and making decisions based on our wants and needs without us needing to become a citizen watchdog group?  How can we implement citizen groups who would be able to represent their immediate neighborhood during meetings?

Discussion/answers for question four:

•We are listening - changes have been made

•City needs to be proactive with information

•Discussion on citizen's committee, getting public more involved

•Give us time to prove ourselves.

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