Planning Roles and Responsibilities in our Community
Lisa Arbogast, Chair Ogden Valley Planning Commission - 16 June 2026
The Planning Commission was appointed by City Council to be the representative citizen planners, tasked with developing independent advisory recommendations that are put forth to the mayor and council for review and thoughtful consideration before the council makes final decisions that will become our operational law.
We take this responsibility and honor seriously. We have received education and training on land use regulation as required per state statute. We have carefully reviewed the Ogden Valley General Plan and examined the transition documents, including public comments, in detail. We consider information presented to us by experts in our community. (For example, Ogden Valley Watershed Action Group, Weber Co. Health Department, and our newly formed Agriculture Committee). Our recommendations are crafted in coordination with, and supported by, city planning staff and legal council to ensure that they meet best practices in land use decisions, reflect current state statutes and are legally defensible.
The Planning Commission ensures that you, the Ogden Valley public, are heard in the process. With substantial research, the Planning Commission is charged with developing independent recommendations that are posted for public review, and to receive public comment in writing and in person through public hearings. The Planning Commission is following the process with fidelity.
You, the public are able to see the Planning Commission’s recommendations, word for word because these documents are posted for your review. The Planning Commission strongly encourages everyone to review these documents and provide your input. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!
Through the public hearing process, the planning commission considers public input and may make changes based on public input, before sending our recommendations forward for the City Council.
The process is NOT finished when the Planning Commission forwards recommendations on to the City Council. The Planning Commission is an administrative and advisory body. The ultimate decisions are made by the City Council, sometimes including the Mayor. If you want to understand the changes made by the City Council, you need to attend their meetings. City Council is not required to hold public hearings but may choose to accept public comments in accordance with the requirements of the law. They may accept, modify, or deny the proposals from the Planning Commission. This means that the final versions of adopted ordinances may be very different from what you have seen posted for public comment through the Planning Commission. Since the final decision lies with the City Council as your elected representatives, it is up to you to stay informed throughout this process and contact council members to let them know your thoughts. The Council, Commission, and public are on the same team, but with valuable and distinct roles.
Please get to know your planning commissioners.
Please attend our meetings and hear our discussions and rationale.
Please review our recommendations and comment during the public hearing process. We are volunteers - dedicated and working for you, the people of Ogden Valley.
Our Valley Our Voice!!
Lisa Arbogast, Chair Ogden Valley Planning Commission - 16 June 2026
The Planning Commission was appointed by City Council to be the representative citizen planners, tasked with developing independent advisory recommendations that are put forth to the mayor and council for review and thoughtful consideration before the council makes final decisions that will become our operational law.
We take this responsibility and honor seriously. We have received education and training on land use regulation as required per state statute. We have carefully reviewed the Ogden Valley General Plan and examined the transition documents, including public comments, in detail. We consider information presented to us by experts in our community. (For example, Ogden Valley Watershed Action Group, Weber Co. Health Department, and our newly formed Agriculture Committee). Our recommendations are crafted in coordination with, and supported by, city planning staff and legal council to ensure that they meet best practices in land use decisions, reflect current state statutes and are legally defensible.
The Planning Commission ensures that you, the Ogden Valley public, are heard in the process. With substantial research, the Planning Commission is charged with developing independent recommendations that are posted for public review, and to receive public comment in writing and in person through public hearings. The Planning Commission is following the process with fidelity.
- The Planning Commission meets in a public forum according to the requirements of the Public Meetings Act. Anyone and everyone is invited to attend our meetings in person or via zoom.
- Meetings are legally noticed and posted
- on the OV city website ogdenvalley.gov and
- on the Utah Public Meetings website,
- posted at the City’s office in Huntsville and
- included in articles in the Ogden Valley News
- “Public Hearings” are noticed at least 10 days in advance
- Draft documents are posted so that anyone is able to read the recommended draft and provide input for consideration.
- Postcards are mailed to each property owner with information about the topics that will be considered
- Every property owner whose property is subject to a change in zoning receives an additional letter of notification, with an additional 10 days to respond, so that they have sufficient time and ability to respond with concerns or support.
You, the public are able to see the Planning Commission’s recommendations, word for word because these documents are posted for your review. The Planning Commission strongly encourages everyone to review these documents and provide your input. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!
Through the public hearing process, the planning commission considers public input and may make changes based on public input, before sending our recommendations forward for the City Council.
The process is NOT finished when the Planning Commission forwards recommendations on to the City Council. The Planning Commission is an administrative and advisory body. The ultimate decisions are made by the City Council, sometimes including the Mayor. If you want to understand the changes made by the City Council, you need to attend their meetings. City Council is not required to hold public hearings but may choose to accept public comments in accordance with the requirements of the law. They may accept, modify, or deny the proposals from the Planning Commission. This means that the final versions of adopted ordinances may be very different from what you have seen posted for public comment through the Planning Commission. Since the final decision lies with the City Council as your elected representatives, it is up to you to stay informed throughout this process and contact council members to let them know your thoughts. The Council, Commission, and public are on the same team, but with valuable and distinct roles.
Please get to know your planning commissioners.
Please attend our meetings and hear our discussions and rationale.
Please review our recommendations and comment during the public hearing process. We are volunteers - dedicated and working for you, the people of Ogden Valley.
Our Valley Our Voice!!