District 2 Council Member Peggy Dooling-Baker

The Planning Commission Deserves the Community's Thanks
By District 2 Council Member Peggy Dooling-Baker - 23 May 2026
 
The members of the planning commission were handed what many would consider an almost impossible assignment: review the city's land use codes, including the General Plan and valley zoning, to update the titles and chapters needed for a new city to move forward. They were also asked to complete this enormous task in time for the moratorium to be lifted by July 2.

They met that challenge with determination. Commission members immersed themselves in the work, studied the codes in depth, consulted resources such as Ground Rules, and spent countless hours both individually and in small groups preparing the codes for public review. Many weeks, they held two public meetings and conducted multiple public hearings to gather community input. They invited code specific experts to get better informed, the Agriculture Advisory Committee Co-chair, the Watershed Action Group Coordinator, and a prominent land use attorney. They gave up time with their families and stepped away from their professional lives in order to finish this work in just four months.

That effort was a tremendous service to the community. The planning commission did more than review outdated rules—they helped shape a better foundation for the city's future. Some of the Weber County codes dated back to the 1950s and 1960s and no longer reflected the realities of a growing valley. Taking this responsibility seriously, the commission helped move the community toward stronger local governance and a more modern land use framework.

For that, the planning commission deserves sincere thanks. Their hard work, persistence, and commitment to the future of the city helped bring these changes to the council for review and laid the groundwork for lifting the moratorium. Public service of this kind often goes unnoticed, but in this case, it should be recognized and appreciated.

Peggy Dooling-Baker, Councilmember District 2, [email protected], 801-348-0028