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Concept overview:  updated: 01/24/2007

This project has been proposed by developer Chris Peterson in conjunction with the building of the
Proposed Malan Basin Development & Mountain Gondola and with the Urban Gondola link that would
connect Weber State University to the downtown area.

The piece of the proposal would require the city to sell the Mt. Ogden Golf Course to the developer of
the project, for a mutually agreed value.  The developer would then use the golf course property, his
own property along the west side of the mountain and a piece of property currently owned by Weber
State University to redesign and rebuild Mt. Ogden golf course.  

The conceptual plan also includes the building of approximately 400 homes surrounding the
redesigned golf course.  The proposed homes will be marketed to high end customers as 2nd homes
and are proposed, along with additional private investment, to be the funding mechanism for the golf
course redesign, the Mountain Gondola and the Malan’s Basin Resort.

The proposed Mountain Gondola is anticipated to stop along the south end of the proposed Mt
Ogden Golf Course Development and then continue up the mountain to the year round Malan’s Basin
Resort.

Note - The following is a list of important information that is related to this issue or project and are
accurate to the best of my knowledge.  I will add to this list as new information becomes available.

Important Information:
  • This proposal also includes two other components (I will be addressing these separately) that
    are touted by the developer as critical components of the project’s success because they would
    create a unique connection between downtown, a world-class golf course and the mountain
    resort.  The other components are:
  1. The Malan’s Basin & Mountain Gondola Development which includes the development of
    a Mountain Gondola from Weber State University to a new all-year, auto free recreational
    resort in Malan’s Basin.
  2. The Urban Gondola connection, which will connect the Inter-Modal Hub to Weber State
    University and the Mountain Gondola.

  • The details of Chris Peterson’s proposal have not yet been formalized with the city.  The
    proposal is currently only a conceptual plan.  (NEW - 01/02/2007)  The Council staff has
    prepared a gondola comparison of several cities as a part of our due diligence process.

  • The City Council & Administrative staff are currently working on a comprehensive education,
    input and action project plan.  Currently the project plan includes a general process outline and
    a more detailed stake holder's process chart.  The project plan is being called Discovery Ogden.

  • The City Council will need to go through a legal public process and approve the following
    actions at sometime in the future before this project can become a reality:
  1. Re-zone the property appropriately for a golf course and housing development.
  2. Amend Ogden City’s general plan
  3. Sell the Mt Ogden Golf Course at an agreed price.

  • The Mt Ogden Golf Course is proposed to be completely redesigned with the goal to make it
    more playable.  The larger, redesigned golf course will facilitate considerably more green space
    in the development but cover over natural foliage in the development.

  • Under the proposal, the new Mt. Ogden Golf Course would be owned and operated completely
    by the developer.

  • The current Mt. Ogden Golf Course property is proposed to be sold to the developer for current
    market value.

  • Mayor Godfrey has proposed that the proceeds from the sale of the Mt. Ogden Golf Course be
    used to build the Urban Gondola.

  • Many new trails are proposed to be created throughout the entire development and then
    connected to the surrounding trail network.

  • The Ogden Trails Committee has made several recommendations regarding the improvements
    to the trails throughout the development.

  • Mt Ogden and Marquardt Parks, which would remain under the city’s ownership and control, are
    proposed to be improved as a part of the project at the expense of the developer.

  • Weber State University will need to agree to sell a piece of land just east of the University for
    the project to move forward as proposed.  This parcel of property is proposed to be the south
    end of the redesigned golf course and a stopping point for the Mountain Gondola.

  • The housing portion of the proposed development will be gated to car traffic.  Pedestrian traffic
    will be allowed and encouraged along the trail system in and through the project.

  • The sewer and water for the housing portion of the development will require the developer to
    upgrade the current infrastructure, which will include building higher retention basins to improve
    the water pressure of the development and the surrounding area.  These upgrades would be at
    the developer's expense.


  • The following local organizations have come out in opposition of the proposal:  The Sierra Club


Proposed Benefits:

The Malan Basin Project is expected to...
  1. Assist in re-establishing Ogden’s economic base – In order to strengthen the city’s economic
    base, we must be able to attract industry into Ogden City.  “The Ski Hub Concept” is bringing
    ski industry companies into Ogden and the proposed Malan’s Basin and Mountain Gondola
    project has been a big part of projecting that concept to potential companies.  So far 8 ski
    companies have moved to Ogden with the 8th company, Amer Sports, bringing the corporate
    offices for brands such as Atomic and Solomon.
  2. Increase net property tax – Since the area will be marketed as a “2nd home” development,
    fewer services are anticipated to be used because many residents will not take full time
    residence.  If this is a correct assumption, the property tax revenue  will have a net positive
    effect on Ogden.
  3. Increased benefit to our schools – Since the housing development portion is proposed to be
    primarily a 2nd home development, proportionally fewer school age children will live in the
    development than in other city neighborhoods, but the area will generate the full amount of
    property tax.  Approximately 50% of the total tax generated will go to the school district.
  4. Increase tourist activity in Ogden City – The proposed improvements to the Mt. Ogden Golf
    Course will increase local tourist traffic through Ogden City.  The increased number of tourists
    will shop, dine and spend money and time in Ogden City.  Since tourists consume very few city
    services and generally inject all new money into our local economy, they will have many positive
    economic impacts.
  5. The playability of the golf course will be improved – The new proposed design of the Mt. Ogden
    Golf Course purports to make the course more playable and thus improve the quality of the
    course.
  6. The golf course will no longer be a financial drain to Ogden tax payers – Since 1999 the Mt.
    Ogden Golf Course has been subsidized by the general tax funds of the city for a total of
    $1,651,274.  The private developer has proposed to own and operate the Mt. Ogden Golf
    Course and would reap the loss or gain of the endeavor.
  7. The Mt Ogden and Marquart Parks are anticipated to be improved – The developer has
    proposed certain improvements to the city parks at no cost to the taxpayer, and will remain
    under the city’s ownership and control.
  8. The trail network will be improved at no cost to the tax payer – The trails are proposed to go all
    throughout the golf course and housing development.


Anticipated Costs and Impacts:

  1. Additional traffic through the Mt. Ogden neighborhood – The development of new homes above
    the current Mt Ogden community will create additional traffic through the neighborhoods and
    community.
  2. Additional water and sewer infrastructure will be required to support the newly developed
    homes in the golf course development.
  3. Some current open space will be developed – The proposed golf course and housing
    development would utilize open space that is above current neighborhoods and below the
    current build line.
  4. There will be a visual impact of a new housing development – The new development will
    obscure some neighborhood's view of the hillside.



I believe the potential economic benefits of re-establishing Ogden’s economic base (The Ski Hub
Concept) and bringing new money into the community through tourism are extremely appealing.  
However, there are still many pieces of this project that are yet unknown and more information
required before decisions can be made.

It is also very appealing to sell a golf course that has lost $1,651,274 total since 1999, so that the
Ogden tax payer does not continue to subsidize "golf" with our tax dollars.  

To offer feedback please click here.


Other Information Sources:
Council’s Fact Sheet (not yet available)
Ogden City Administration’s On-line Presentation
Ogden City Administration's Frequently Asked Questions
www.liftogden.com (Pro-Gondola Citizen Group)
www.smartgrowthogden.org (Citizen Group Apposed to the Development)
Weber Pathways Position Paper
Current Projects
Malan's Basin Development - Mt Ogden Golf Course & Housing Development
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