Planning commission recommends approval for 7‑lodge project on Highway 39 with conditions

The Ogden Valley Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for a proposed recreation‑lodge development at 10909 East Highway 39 in Huntsville.

Staff told commissioners the application proposes seven recreation lodges on a roughly 35‑acre parcel in the F‑5 zone, with up to 16 sleeping rooms per lodge, a 50‑seat restaurant limited to guests, and on‑site amenities such as trails, a pool and pickleball courts. Planning staff recommended approval subject to the findings and conditions in the staff report and additional conditions the commission added: the 84 parking stalls shown on the applicant’s site plan must be installed; if trailer parking is allowed it must be depicted with a turnaround; and snow‑storage and refuse collection locations must be shown and approved by staff before permits are issued.

Staff and multiple commissioners flagged several technical issues the applicant must resolve before final permits can be issued. Weber Morgan Health Department review, county engineering and the fire district all raised concerns about wastewater, culinary water and access. A key remaining question is wastewater: staff said the project likely will require an advanced or public wastewater treatment system that must meet state review and Weber Morgan Health standards.

A staff reading of a Division of Drinking Water letter was included in the packet: “The division has no concerns with the proposed plan as presented,” staff said during the presentation, noting that formal state approvals are still required before construction permits would be issued.

County reviewers also noted that the bridge at the site entrance will likely need to be upgraded to bear heavy equipment for system installation and that the fire district requires on‑site water capacity and sprinklers in each lodge building. County engineering asked for a traffic study and possible UDOT approval for modifications to access onto Highway 39. Planning staff told commissioners that, under county practice, the CUP is not issued until all review‑agency conditions are satisfied and before building permits or a business license can be issued.

Commission discussion focused on technical compliance rather than policy; commissioners asked the applicant and staff to ensure adequate plans for wastewater, culinary well capacity, emergency access, refuse collection turnarounds and viable trailer parking to prevent roadside parking. No members of the public spoke in opposition during the meeting.

The commission’s motion requires that site plans reflect the approved 84 stalls and any trailer parking/turnaround, and that snow‑storage and refuse arrangements be finalized with staff. Following the recommendation, the county commission (the legislative body) will consider the application and any final permit issuance will be contingent on the outstanding agency approvals.