Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize
By Kim Wheatley - 16 August 2026
A couple of years ago we voted to create Ogden Valley City to pursue a vision for the Valley different from where county commissioners were taking us. We voted to take on the burden of forming and running a town primarily so our city council could pursue the future we want. The mantra was “Our Valley, Our Voice.”
Our City Council is now in place so you may be wondering what vision of the future our Ogden Valley City Council is going for. In short, it hasn’t changed much since we wrote it down thirty years ago in our first General Plan for the Valley. In 1996 it read:
“Ogden Valley is a place that,
Ten years later (2006) we updated the General plan and affirmed what we said the first time:
“The two guiding principles from the OVGP Vision Statement are:
Then we updated the General Plan again in 2016 with a more detailed vision of what we want and our new city council affirmed it when they adopted a General Plan for Ogden Valley City in March…they did not change a word. Following is a set of descriptions (vision) of the future our city council is chasing.
Vision of a preserved rural character: The rural character of Ogden Valley is defined by its open fields, agricultural lands, stands of trees, peace and quiet, dark skies, clean air and water, abundant wildlife, and small villages; by Pineview Reservoir; by historic Ogden Canyon and by the long views of the surrounding foothills and mountain background. The Ogden Valley community desires physical development to complement, not overwhelm or compete with, the rural character of the Valley in the Ogden Valley planning area, Ogden Valley City will promote and encourage unique and functional design in new developments, public spaces, and streetscapes to create a visible character distinct to Ogden Valley that enhances the Valley’s character.
Vision for land use: The Ogden Valley community desires a place where land uses support healthy physical, social, and economic interactions. Land uses in Ogden Valley should complement, not overwhelm or compete with, the rural character of the Valley Community Character element vision statement.
Vision for housing development: The Ogden Valley community desires a variety of housing types to meet the needs of a diverse population of various income levels, ages and stages of life. Neighborhoods should have convenient access to community amenities and are designed in a manner that protects the Valley’s character. Residential development should be centered around villages and town centers and designed to provide open spaces and efficient uses of the land.
Vision for commercial development: The Ogden Valley community desires sustainable and thriving local businesses in Ogden Valley. Ogden Valley capitalizes on recreational tourism to support its economic base. New commercial development should be focused in and near existing commercial areas and resorts. New commercial development should be designed to be compatible with the rural character of Ogden Valley.
Vision for transportation: The Ogden Valley community desires a transportation system that enhances mobility, reduces congestion, and meets air quality standards without disturbing existing land uses. The transportation system will have an active transportation component that connects and enhances bike and pedestrian facilities.
Vision for utilities and public services: The Ogden Valley community desires adequate utilities and public services that provide for the current and long-term needs of the community. Weber County and other governmental agencies will provide infrastructure and services to support local roads and streets, paths and trails, and schools and parks.
Vision for parks and recreation: The Ogden Valley community desires a park system that can host a variety of recreational and educational opportunities for all ages. A trail network that cohesively connects parks to other recreational, educational, or commercial areas is important. Facilities that enhance the user experience of Pineview Reservoir are desired.
Vision for resource management: The Ogden Valley community desires responsible and sustainable growth while conserving the natural and social character of Ogden Valley. With this vision, Weber County in Ogden Valley is prepared to shape its future by preserving character; promoting sustainability; supporting agriculture, wildlife, habitat, and scenic vistas; and recognizing the importance of management of public lands.
You may be surprised that our City Council adopted a General Plan for our city continuing with the same vision our county commission was supposed to be pursuing. Our Council (and the many volunteers working on our General Plan) concluded that it wasn't the vision of the future that was wrong, it was the decisions county commissioners were making that were not faithful to the vision. We elected a City Council committed to doing better and they are creating a government that will be working far into the future, well beyond their terms, to preserve what we all enjoy about the Valley we love.
After almost a year of work, our City Council recently adopted their vision of the Ogden Valley City government itself. It will be their legacy and our vehicle for pursuing the future for the Valley we want. Here is the vision for an Ogden Valley City government that is replacing the county commission.
Our Valley is a community shaped by its land and strengthened by its people.
We honor our history, our pioneering spirit, and our agricultural heritage.
We protect our natural resources, open lands, dark skies, wildlife, clean air and water.
We guide growth that is in harmony with the valley and blends sustainability with development.
We lead ethically with transparency, accountability, uncompromising integrity, and constant respect for people.
We connect our community with user-friendly technology and personal support, making it easy for all residents to access city services and be included in the community.
We welcome all who come to the valley to experience its beauty, recreation, and warm spirit.
We preserve this legacy for generations to come.
Adopting a clear vision of the future we are pursuing is a critical first step and is a major accomplishment by our City Council. Thirty years of planning has defined the prize…the future we want for the Valley. Vision is useful because it aligns all of us, and the resources we can harness, in its pursuit; over the years, thousands of city and voter decisions will be assessed against these long-term desires, and will align with the future we intend to create.
So now you know how to answer those “where are we headed” questions. Getting there is something this city council cannot do alone and the quest will extend far beyond their terms in office. They will need community support and passionate volunteers to help the council members who will replace them. Now is a good time to become civic minded and ask what you can contribute to the future we want.
By Kim Wheatley - 16 August 2026
A couple of years ago we voted to create Ogden Valley City to pursue a vision for the Valley different from where county commissioners were taking us. We voted to take on the burden of forming and running a town primarily so our city council could pursue the future we want. The mantra was “Our Valley, Our Voice.”
Our City Council is now in place so you may be wondering what vision of the future our Ogden Valley City Council is going for. In short, it hasn’t changed much since we wrote it down thirty years ago in our first General Plan for the Valley. In 1996 it read:
“Ogden Valley is a place that,
- Values and protects its natural beauty and natural resources
- Cherishes and maintains its rural atmosphere and rural lifestyle”
Ten years later (2006) we updated the General plan and affirmed what we said the first time:
“The two guiding principles from the OVGP Vision Statement are:
- Protect the natural beauty and natural resources of the Valley.
- Maintain the Valley's rural atmosphere and rural lifestyle.”
Then we updated the General Plan again in 2016 with a more detailed vision of what we want and our new city council affirmed it when they adopted a General Plan for Ogden Valley City in March…they did not change a word. Following is a set of descriptions (vision) of the future our city council is chasing.
Vision of a preserved rural character: The rural character of Ogden Valley is defined by its open fields, agricultural lands, stands of trees, peace and quiet, dark skies, clean air and water, abundant wildlife, and small villages; by Pineview Reservoir; by historic Ogden Canyon and by the long views of the surrounding foothills and mountain background. The Ogden Valley community desires physical development to complement, not overwhelm or compete with, the rural character of the Valley in the Ogden Valley planning area, Ogden Valley City will promote and encourage unique and functional design in new developments, public spaces, and streetscapes to create a visible character distinct to Ogden Valley that enhances the Valley’s character.
Vision for land use: The Ogden Valley community desires a place where land uses support healthy physical, social, and economic interactions. Land uses in Ogden Valley should complement, not overwhelm or compete with, the rural character of the Valley Community Character element vision statement.
Vision for housing development: The Ogden Valley community desires a variety of housing types to meet the needs of a diverse population of various income levels, ages and stages of life. Neighborhoods should have convenient access to community amenities and are designed in a manner that protects the Valley’s character. Residential development should be centered around villages and town centers and designed to provide open spaces and efficient uses of the land.
Vision for commercial development: The Ogden Valley community desires sustainable and thriving local businesses in Ogden Valley. Ogden Valley capitalizes on recreational tourism to support its economic base. New commercial development should be focused in and near existing commercial areas and resorts. New commercial development should be designed to be compatible with the rural character of Ogden Valley.
Vision for transportation: The Ogden Valley community desires a transportation system that enhances mobility, reduces congestion, and meets air quality standards without disturbing existing land uses. The transportation system will have an active transportation component that connects and enhances bike and pedestrian facilities.
Vision for utilities and public services: The Ogden Valley community desires adequate utilities and public services that provide for the current and long-term needs of the community. Weber County and other governmental agencies will provide infrastructure and services to support local roads and streets, paths and trails, and schools and parks.
Vision for parks and recreation: The Ogden Valley community desires a park system that can host a variety of recreational and educational opportunities for all ages. A trail network that cohesively connects parks to other recreational, educational, or commercial areas is important. Facilities that enhance the user experience of Pineview Reservoir are desired.
Vision for resource management: The Ogden Valley community desires responsible and sustainable growth while conserving the natural and social character of Ogden Valley. With this vision, Weber County in Ogden Valley is prepared to shape its future by preserving character; promoting sustainability; supporting agriculture, wildlife, habitat, and scenic vistas; and recognizing the importance of management of public lands.
You may be surprised that our City Council adopted a General Plan for our city continuing with the same vision our county commission was supposed to be pursuing. Our Council (and the many volunteers working on our General Plan) concluded that it wasn't the vision of the future that was wrong, it was the decisions county commissioners were making that were not faithful to the vision. We elected a City Council committed to doing better and they are creating a government that will be working far into the future, well beyond their terms, to preserve what we all enjoy about the Valley we love.
After almost a year of work, our City Council recently adopted their vision of the Ogden Valley City government itself. It will be their legacy and our vehicle for pursuing the future for the Valley we want. Here is the vision for an Ogden Valley City government that is replacing the county commission.
Our Valley is a community shaped by its land and strengthened by its people.
We honor our history, our pioneering spirit, and our agricultural heritage.
We protect our natural resources, open lands, dark skies, wildlife, clean air and water.
We guide growth that is in harmony with the valley and blends sustainability with development.
We lead ethically with transparency, accountability, uncompromising integrity, and constant respect for people.
We connect our community with user-friendly technology and personal support, making it easy for all residents to access city services and be included in the community.
We welcome all who come to the valley to experience its beauty, recreation, and warm spirit.
We preserve this legacy for generations to come.
Adopting a clear vision of the future we are pursuing is a critical first step and is a major accomplishment by our City Council. Thirty years of planning has defined the prize…the future we want for the Valley. Vision is useful because it aligns all of us, and the resources we can harness, in its pursuit; over the years, thousands of city and voter decisions will be assessed against these long-term desires, and will align with the future we intend to create.
So now you know how to answer those “where are we headed” questions. Getting there is something this city council cannot do alone and the quest will extend far beyond their terms in office. They will need community support and passionate volunteers to help the council members who will replace them. Now is a good time to become civic minded and ask what you can contribute to the future we want.