Eden residents protest proposed Powder Mountain incorporation

Courtney Orton reporting Today a group of Ogden Valley residents protested Powder Mountain developers' plans to incorporate and transform the area into a massive resort with thousands of houses, condos, and hotel rooms.

To seek incorporation, Utah law requires at least 100 residents in the boundaries and support from more than 50 percent of the land owners. It's some of those residents who stood in protest this morning.

"So they just came down here and grabbed just the area that you see right here, 100 citizens, to be in their little town. We have no right to vote on whether we want to be part of the incorporation, and we have no right to elect our first city council or mayor," Eden resident Jim Halay said.

Last month, the Ogden Valley Planning Commission voted in favor of Powder Mountain's rezoning proposal but attached conditions that limited the density of the development. Some residents think that is the reason developers filed for incorporation.

If Powder Mountain is incorporated, it would have its own planning commission--which could help it rezone the 4,400 acre area to build more condos, houses, and hotels.

"They are talking about a large scale, that it will be a large city on top of the mountain with one access road; and most of these roads there's only one main artery to get in and out,' Eden resident Deja Mitchell said.

Lisa Davis, spokeswoman for Powder Mountain, said, "They're residents and they want to protect their homes, and we absolutely understand that; and incorporating will actually give them more of a say and more of a voice in how the development needs. The people who have come to understand that are really excited about having that kind of input."

Powder Mountain is holding a meeting for residents this Thursday to discuss development plans.

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