Developer May Buy Course

Plan includes Ogden Gated Community

By Scott Schwebke
Standard-Examiner Staff
sschwebke@standard.net

OGDEN - A wealthy developer is floating a proposal among community leaders to acquire Mount Ogden Golf Course and vacant land owned by Weber State University to pave the way for an upscale subdivision.

John A. Lindquist, owner of Lindquist Mortuaries, said he attended a meeting with about a dozen prominent Ogden residents on March 1, in which developer Chris Petersen unveiled a preliminary proposal to keep the golf course open amid a gated community of luxury homes.

"It would be a major benefit to the city," said Lindquist, who was impressed with the proposal. "We would end up with a more playable golf course and a lot of new residents."

Peterson proposes to acquire the Weber State property east of the campus off Lake View Drive and the golf course from the city through an outright purchase or trade, Lindquist said.

He would then redesign the golf course and use a portion of the property along with that acquired from Weber State to develop an upscale subdivision, Lindquist said.

Peterson, Weber State University President Ann Milner and Ogden Mayor Matt Godfrey could not be reached for comment Thursday regarding the proposal.

Ogden City Councilman Bill Glasmann said if it makes financial sense to sell Mount Ogden Golf Course to Chris Peterson, the municipality should consider it.

"It's a fun course. But it doesn't make money," he said. "We need to look at the ramifications to the people who use it and live around it."

Mount Ogden Golf Course is an important recreational asset for the city, despite operating at an annual loss of about $320,000, said Ogden Chief Administrator John Patterson.

City Councilman Jesse Garcia said a proposal regarding the future of the golf course, a proposed gondola system and the development of Malan's Basin may be unveiled by the city's administration next month.

Peterson purchased Malan's Basin, which consists of three parcels totaling 1,279 acres, last year. He has proposed developing a year-round resort on the property.

In the meantime, Godfrey has been meeting with key community leaders and individually with City Council members to get their ideas about the proposal that may be made public in April, Patterson said.

"He's not ready to make a public announcement because there are too many issues outstanding," Patterson said, explaining why Godfrey is meeting individually with council members. "If a quorum (of council members) is present, he would be making an announcement in a public meeting. He's not prepared to do that.

Two council members, Amy Wicks and Dorrene Jeske, said they will not meet privately with Godfrey to discuss the proposal and believe any discussions should be conducted with the full council in a public work session.

Jeske is concerned that Godfrey could pitch the proposal differently during individual meetings with council members. "How do we know he is saying the same thing to everyone," she asked.

Wicks shares Jeske's concerns, adding that it is important that any discussions between Godfrey and the City Council involving far-reaching land-use issues be conducted in the open.

"It's important that it be transparent," she said.

Glasmann said he has met with the Mayor, but he declined to discuss what issues the two talked about.

Garcia said he plans to meet privately with Godfrey next week so he can facilitate public debate.

"It's a must... to get information to honor the public process," he said.