February 23, 2001 Junkyards still exist, but progress is being made By RANDY PHIPPS_ Guest Commentary I understand this writer's concerns about pollution in the Weber River. Most of our neighbors have those same concerns and we are doing something about them. The sewage dumping was an unfortunate problem that should not happen again. Most of the cities in Weber County are working to ensure that it doesn't. I live for the day that we have a pathway around and through our city, but it won't happen if we just give up. There are a few auto junkyards along the Ogden River. All but one small one are in Ogden City. I agree that they are a problem and Ogden City is working to remedy that problem. Marriott-Slaterville has already taken steps to eliminate that problem. Our manufacturing zones do not allow for auto-salvaging operations. This change to the zoning ordinance was passed within the last year. We successfully stopped an auto-auctioning facility from establishing itself on 17th Street. A collection of junked cars is presently being removed from 17th Street and that land is being developed as a business park by an individual who is providing some of his own property for a trail to assist in tying our proposed trail along the Weber River to proposed trails connecting with the Ogden Nature Center. We are working with our neighbor to the south, West Haven, to connect our trail system with theirs. This includes putting trail bridges over the Weber River. Once paths have been established and become used on a regular basis, the blighted areas become more visible and the paths' users more concerned about improving the area around them. Improvement comes with involvement. If we wait until we have a perfect spot for a path we may never have one. The 26 acres next to this writer's property has been zoned "manufac Phipps turing" for many years. The untimely death of the owner at the time most of the surrounding properties were changed back to agriculture is unfortunate, but property owners still have rights. It is the responsibility of the city to ensure that any development that goes onto this property will be an asset and not a detriment. That is one of the reasons we became a city. Our new neighbor cannot build a junkyard, cannot build anything that will increase pollution in the area, and must meet local, county, state and federal guidelines. When this property is actually purchased, I will be first in line to contact the new owner to encourage involvement in our city, including possible access through either the east or the west boundary with an easement to provide a link with some of our proposed trails. No one's resources are too small. We need everyone's involvement, especially the involvement of all of our neighbors. Progress has been made. A great deal of the property along 17th Street has been rezoned to agriculture. This is only a small step but it is a step in the right direction. In the near future, when we walk along the rivers with our children and grandchildren, we can enjoy the beauty that has returned and know that we took part in its restoration. Randy Phipps has lived in Marriott-Slaterville for over 28 years and serves as chairman of the Marriott-Slaterville Planning Commission. He is also a trustee for Weber County Pathways with committee assignments involving both Ogden and Weber Rivers. He and his wife have six children and seven grandchildren. 44