Ogden, UT – The Weber County Commission unanimously approved the final reading of an ordinance on Tuesday that adopts the project area plan and budget for the Nordic Village community reinvestment area (CRA). The approval follows a series of public concerns raised by residents regarding building density, tax increment financing (TIF), and water rights.
The proposed Nordic Village development will span 512 acres near Eden, Utah, located along Nordic Valley Road. The project is planned to include a mix of resort-oriented development, such as single- and multifamily dwelling units, hotel rooms, and commercial spaces. In total, the development will feature 428 condo units, 159 chalets, 50 employee housing units, and 230 hotel rooms. Planned amenities include new ski lifts, trails, a tubing hill, an ice skating rink, an amphitheater, and a pond with a boathouse. Additionally, the project calls for approximately 56,000 square feet of commercial building space.
During the meeting, several county officials, including Commissioners Jim Harvey and Gage Froerer, Economic Development Director Stephanie Russell, and Community Development Director Sean Wilkinson, addressed the concerns expressed by members of the public. One of the primary issues raised was related to water rights. In response, officials emphasized that the Utah Division of Water Rights oversees these matters, and the County Commission does not have authority in that area.
County representatives also sought to clarify that the Nordic Village project is still in its planning phase, with future development subject to a governing development agreement between the county and Nordic Village Venture LLC. This agreement will regulate how the project is executed, including how it aligns with county codes and other applicable regulations. “This has nothing to do with county development codes,” said Russell. “These are just projections related to potential development of that property. As it states in the general plan, developers have an opportunity to add additional density, which has been factored into the financial model, but that does not mean it will necessarily happen.”
In addition to the Nordic Village vote, the commission approved an agreement with GSBS Architects for the design and construction of a 37,000-square-foot medical and mental health facility at the Weber County Jail. This $1.8 million project is aimed at expanding the jail’s current medical capacity, which presently only includes six medical cells. The new facility will provide enhanced services for vulnerable individuals within the jail system, according to Chief Deputy Phillip Reese of the Weber County Sheriff’s Office.
The approval of these projects reflects ongoing efforts by the county to balance economic development with the necessary infrastructure to support growing communities. As the Nordic Village project moves forward, county officials will continue to address concerns and ensure the development meets regulatory standards.