[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6063710,"mediaKeyId","3264211-a836c049848a62e348760ad8bc345b3c","parentId",3264211,"title","County opens 45‑day comment period on new land‑use regulations and proposed zone‑map changes amid strong public comment","audioSeconds",1330,"startMs",1964000,"endMs",3294000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3264211-a836c049848a62e348760ad8bc345b3c&start=1964&end=3294","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3264211-a836c049848a62e348760ad8bc345b3c/thumbnail_1964000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6063710/Laramie-County/Wyoming/County-opens-45day-comment-period-on-new-landuse-regulations-and-proposed-zonemap-changes-amid-strong-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063710-6f8ab91050d44f1b048d5544ea04bb20/orig.mp4?Expires=1775792600&Signature=hAAA4D9wEgGMzC6CSra1EdLCBUSnoU1NcWFyi6iA8H-B7i7ec9PRR0VQnRsdZybwUngDVa0Lp~XIBK3bVlhhjMrPa9~uJiCc6p42PEg~FS1ueTbtqi9W2Ue9oWY~6sZ8pbZ0owrUBlHKbITxdbV33d~G52Ce~TUmgxto9Ay8QrTFUtI~FjsfNHkSIGVDu4XWZdITRqBXiCT-yoy2ASbC4ztx3PNcDaSx-alcuFBAG0S1eCdAd8AMtTOg0Z1H73fQwf7VaajbhfHB-IuPfdky14FH6D1CU89Zf0amCT9GsqbfUqmLF7k3NvgvnaS0j1hxvxN9Svp0bCnEYLY0qJBV8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Laramie County WY","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Laramie County Board of Commissioners voted to publish notice beginning a 45‑day public comment period on proposed updates to county land‑use rules, a countywide amendment to the unincorporated zone‑district map, and an updated planning and development fee schedule.

Justin Arnold, director of Laramie County Planning and Development, told the board the notices initiate statutorily required public-comment processes and identified timelines: public comments are due by 12 p.m. on June 30, 2025; the Planning Commission will meet June 26, 2025, and the Board of County Commissioners will consider adoption on July 1, 2025. The notices specify where proposed documents can be reviewed in the Clerk’s office, Planning and Development office, and on the county website.

The proposed changes would replace rural‑residential and some agricultural zoning with a unified land‑use framework governed by land‑use zone districts and conditional‑use processes. Arnold said the map amendment would eliminate “rural residential” zoning designations and return such parcels to broader land‑use districts administered under conditional permits tied to project intensity.

The board opened the meeting to public comment even though the vote before the body was only to start the 45‑day notice period. More than a dozen residents from Mountain Shadow and nearby Horse Creek repeatedly urged the board to reconsider allowing commercial uses in the subdivision, cited existing recorded covenants that prohibit commercial uses, and raised specific concerns about traffic, noise, lighting, groundwater and septic impacts, emergency‑response times, and the county’s road maintenance. Speakers included Bonnie Berlando, who said, “I just ask that you would think about people before you push this through,” and several residents who presented a petition with more than 50 signatures opposing commercial development in Mountain Shadow.

Commissioners and county staff responded to comments on process and access: Commissioner Hollingshead encouraged residents to read the latest draft of the proposed regulations and to submit written comments during the 45‑day period; Commissioner Zwanitzer noted the county would improve website access and staff would follow up with constituents. County staff emphasized that covenants are private contractual documents between landowners and are not enforced by the county, and that the land‑use notice and later hearings are the statutory mechanism for government regulation.

Why it matters: the proposed regulation changes would reshape how development and commercial activity are evaluated across large areas of unincorporated Laramie County; the public comment period and the upcoming planning‑commission and board hearings are the formal opportunities for neighbor input and for the county to refine the proposals.

Board action and next steps: The Board approved the notices (roll call recorded as aye by Commissioners Heath, Hollingshead, Thompson, Swanitzer and Chairman Maugham). The items will return to the Planning Commission and Board for public hearings in late June and July. Members of the public were urged to submit written comments and to meet with Planning and Development staff during the comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Laramie County Board of County Commissioners Meeting - 05/06/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board approved a 45‑day public comment period on a proposed 2025 update of Laramie County’s land‑use regulations, a countywide zone‑map amendment and a revised planning fee schedule, drawing strong opposition from Mountain Shadow residents.","taxTitle","Laramie County, Wyoming","taxId",4606,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063715,"County approves health department fee changes after board, department review",333,850000,1183000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3264211-a836c049848a62e348760ad8bc345b3c&start=850&end=1183","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3264211-a836c049848a62e348760ad8bc345b3c/thumbnail_850000.jpg","/articles/6063715/Laramie-County/Wyoming/County-approves-health-department-fee-changes-after-board-department-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063715-3df9b88dfd9e078a644c3df2c260abdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775792600&Signature=MJhe0bbR5z7OATkfnIgQbcYxejVQvCeUg1U6jE-F7QV9sYwBUTUK0VTDOPV~i7YcRV4po7cWwEHULuQOrwh~LnjeF56CS5ehtrvNk81D9EUZFIhagQ0fYKD~SNQUmJqOBBwcdJi8TfiSlc1EByF2BT9s46iewFA0gxKw7IXTFrOAw2VV7PDXpwqYUP2niCZv1RsVqyRLTRxLYhtPrmW-7F2xRrTZoed5CxP5NF-ROl6mLNxL4Clb5zTijve55rUM5OC-okLlcJwi21-myIO5QBhLJYoswRfYBxPu~AtjZcqXNytXFXa7humMwCeWf~nYOKjjlkUvvr29wIPJ45s~dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Laramie County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt updated service and inspection fees proposed by the City‑County Health Department after a presentation and discussion during the May 6 meeting.

Dr. Emmons, who represents the City‑County Health Department, told commissioners the department modeled fees based on estimated staff hours for each service and presented a range of fee outcomes to the health board for scenarios with varying government subsidies. Dr. Emmons said the health board settled on a 60% public cost share (leaving 40% to the fee payer) as an appropriate balance between covering operating cost and maintaining public subsidy. The board’s approval was recorded by roll call; the item passed with all commissioners voting “aye.”

Commissioner Troy Thompson, who served as the previous liaison to the health board, described the department’s approach: staff analyzed the man‑hours needed for each service, created a model showing fee levels under different subsidy percentages, and returned recommendations to the health board for review.

Why it matters: The fee adjustments reflect an attempt by the health department and board to align charges with estimated staff time and operating costs while continuing a public subsidy. The county approved the resolution as presented; no additional amendments were made by the Board.

Board action: The motion to adopt the fee changes passed on roll call (Commissioners Heath, Hollingshead, Thompson, Swanitzer and Chairman Maugham recorded as voting “aye”).","The Board approved a resolution adopting updated fees proposed by the City‑County Health Department, which used staff-time modeling and a 60% cost-share assumption for government subsidies to set new service fees.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063720,"Cheyenne MPO narrows potential passenger-rail station locations to two sites",664,138000,802000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3264211-a836c049848a62e348760ad8bc345b3c&start=138&end=802","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3264211-a836c049848a62e348760ad8bc345b3c/thumbnail_138000.jpg","/articles/6063720/Laramie-County/Wyoming/Cheyenne-MPO-narrows-potential-passenger-rail-station-locations-to-two-sites","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063720-23db1ac7f8a4d4b5e787de8730a888db/orig.mp4?Expires=1775792600&Signature=OpqYuuKO2r7wp61gDSZvPKt68PPA1w2woF6jE89az6yy32tUadqgjy8VDP80tGhpz3QcKr~gWqI-gK8BzCFlcZKVqf~FEfqH9ee8sh5jBBRnZ85E4I5W0IskV5K5Sf0U2uTVBGc0tcetQnx1msXZlZF9eUhCe1f5L3-nLQpkfnlr3KUHMfxZoZdt~M3tnfJv1G5SG1-C0G9q4519zkqj~sS5gb5ufjWwfKh2q0xq7yhCvWlg7FU8kTKvrdfNBaER3HZ~04aZIDWc0Hcd~mEpNFzt9b531GN8YYyjknbpLdHOQJSd5NgwzDHqZl5~uO3EuFwXHutUQmsvJ6tIhKhICw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christopher Yaney, director of the Cheyenne Metropolitan Planning Organization, presented a station site-selection study for potential passenger-rail service to Cheyenne, saying his office evaluated six locations and narrowed them to two finalists: a “Happy Jack” site near Happy Jack and Missile Drive and a Reed Avenue/steam-plant corridor option. No action was required of the Laramie County Board of Commissioners during the presentation.

The study estimated construction costs at roughly $30.9 million for the Happy Jack option and between about $24.1 million and $28.2 million for Reed Avenue alternatives; the lower figures for Reed Avenue exclude any costs to stabilize or rehabilitate the steam plant, which the study flagged as an uncertain but potentially substantial additional expense. Yaney said both sites would include pick-up/drop-off and parking elements and could serve regional bus routes and Cheyenne Transit.

The study scored risks, capital costs and stakeholder impacts. Yaney said the Happy Jack option showed the lowest budget risk and would shave roughly five to 10 minutes off travel time compared with the Reed Avenue routing. He said operational job creation during construction and operations would be in the low hundreds. The Reed Avenue alternatives require either a new spur through or a stub track adjacent to the steam plant; both raise higher uncertainty around structural work at the plant.

The MPO official described the next steps as dependent on decisions by regional passenger-rail sponsors. Front Range Passenger Rail must first secure public funding in a November 2026 vote before study work could extend to Cheyenne; if that vote passes, the MPO would negotiate a memorandum of understanding to extend service across the state line and work with rail operators and freight owners. Yaney said Amtrak also runs multiple routes that could make Cheyenne a hub if operators pursue service restoration.

Why it matters: the study gives a technical foundation to discuss station location, cost, and impacts, but it does not commit the county to any expenditures or construction. The Cheyenne MPO will wait for regional funding outcomes and rail-operator interest before advancing design or site commitments.

What commissioners asked and said: Commissioners asked about the county’s role and Yaney said the MPO would handle studies and the county would contribute through the MPO’s normal cost-share structure; the study itself would stop at the state line and Front Range Passenger Rail would be expected to pick up engineering and construction north of that line if funded. No formal motion or county vote was taken on the study.

Next steps: public materials are available on the Cheyenne MPO website (search “Plan Cheyenne”); the timeline depends on the Front Range Passenger Rail district vote in November 2026 and subsequent interagency agreements.","The Cheyenne Metropolitan Planning Organization presented a site-selection study that identified two preferred locations for a future passenger-rail station — near Happy Jack and the Reed Avenue/steam-plant corridor — and outlined cost estimates, risks and next steps tied to regional funding decisions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063699,"Board approves routine contracts, software subscription and permits; shares funding for Safe Routes to School plan",685,1175000,1860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3264211-a836c049848a62e348760ad8bc345b3c&start=1175&end=1860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3264211-a836c049848a62e348760ad8bc345b3c/thumbnail_1175000.jpg","/articles/6063699/Laramie-County/Wyoming/Board-approves-routine-contracts-software-subscription-and-permits-shares-funding-for-Safe-Routes-to-School-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063699-081f5bf39bf0f3d67d4f7d2f894e86ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1775792600&Signature=OCy3XobEtPZfCVlnoxZTYppN0CcJ6Jdw5GVjl~XYrUyLK2VTWtlofyKlXjhgfyHp0TmrnoElBBeKouiN217Bu8eK8yTixip3lIJ9sQ9j-0QSY7JCY9v-T7ZGEOO09x2O3U7O7~2asvlG5FoHDJ5I~-n9U98hY2KdGSrmMuSV~JESE-suwQnRBQZhBam31CmYPrPY8yXpq9NVHLObdwZZpIPrFJ5e8bLRrhx9GIh1QAN41ugO7jeVxYFKWW1Oty2wWZdHCMTR4TMTkMBh3OpPDMVqB-o6ARZBL6KgCaYo9MZoq6wcXUMJX~~VUN5Nj2H8g6OcwLkSLINroI9drrdCpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board approved multiple consent and regular‑agenda items during the May 6 meeting that county staff described as routine county business.

Notable approvals included:
- A memorandum of understanding with the City of Cheyenne to reimburse the city for half of an approximately $40,000 contract modification to add a number of schools to the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Safe Routes to School Plan; Molly Bennett, Laramie County Public Works, said the county’s share is roughly $20,000.
- An agreement with Top Flight Maintenance for mowing, trimming and landscaping at county grounds and parks; staff said bids were solicited and Top Flight met experience and equipment requirements.
- An addendum to an existing services agreement with Motorola Solutions in the amount of $236,026.20 to provide services at the Combined Communications Center through June 30, 2030; Mark Voss, County Attorney’s Office, said the addendum continues a long‑running relationship and standard contract provisions.
- An addendum/service order with ClearGov Inc. for setup and subscription services in the amount of $79,988.33 for budgeting, capital project and personnel‑budgeting modules; Stanley Walker, finance director, said the software will modernize capital‑project tracking, personnel budgeting and produce an online budget book for transparency.
- Three fireworks‑permit public hearings (seasonal and yearly permits for businesses at I‑25 Service Road and West College Drive); Matt Butler, Laramie County Fire Warden, confirmed inspections and conditions and the board approved the permits with conditions.

Each item was approved by roll call with unanimous \"aye\" votes unless noted otherwise in the record. The board also approved consideration of warrants in the amount of $2,416,817.62 for April 2025 as part of the consent agenda.

Why it matters: These approvals authorize contracted services, software to support county budgeting and shared local funding for school‑safety planning. The ClearGov subscription is a multi‑year agreement intended to streamline county budgeting and increase public transparency. The Safe Routes MOU extends a planning effort to additional schools with county and city cost sharing for the contract modification.

Administrative follow‑up: Departments noted next steps — implementation of ClearGov modules, execution of contracts and agency coordination to address contract and permit conditions.","The board approved a set of routine items including a grounds‑maintenance contract, a Motorola service addendum, a ClearGov budgeting software agreement, a cost‑share memorandum for Safe Routes to School plan additions, and three fireworks permits; several items passed by unanimous roll call.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6063705,"Board approves White Antelope Barn site plan with conditions after residents oppose venue in Mountain Shadow",4011,4439000,8450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3264211-a836c049848a62e348760ad8bc345b3c&start=4439&end=8450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3264211-a836c049848a62e348760ad8bc345b3c/thumbnail_4439000.jpg","/articles/6063705/Laramie-County/Wyoming/Board-approves-White-Antelope-Barn-site-plan-with-conditions-after-residents-oppose-venue-in-Mountain-Shadow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063705-a8709d99f698a9d42fe1a41004f1fa56/orig.mp4?Expires=1775792600&Signature=F9k4R-G-3tQZqm-vNiyIBOngRxEQkoMgTdHOljFfwRjuOLonHfL1kmMTufhcqddh2FhArYGR3GCev7ASG8FFvtUypZI1-Uszpt2XDMwLAjaRkclEZrRo6j73nFfA6BKcue74J11i9OHofcyfphCdLzeNeuO2vSSJGJl0BDUXT8sXTZlisj1IatA-kue0zSMtpgFGixUZsfKD84ZYfxu~otWLImUmjpx20Bn2qiMjNj4vJBnOliACXhxZS8D7sAJITpHOfknH085Fj3RerZfiKMZHTPj0dqf8RSLpFeDGL80xTaKkR~l5SahNGdArGOOMnBvxhcjPCGgfRDj8KPZT2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Laramie County Board of Commissioners approved the White Antelope Barn site plan for a proposed event venue on Tract 33, Mountain Shadow, subject to conditions after an extended public hearing that drew numerous residents who opposed the project.

Justin Arnold, director of Laramie County Planning and Development, described the application: the proposal calls for a barn‑style event structure, phased cabins and a parking area on a 7.13‑acre parcel in the land‑use zone district. Staff recommended approval conditioned on resolution of agency comments and corrections to the site plan prior to issuance of a Certificate of Review.

More than a dozen residents from Mountain Shadow and surrounding subdivisions testified against the venue during a public hearing. Speakers said the proposal conflicts with recorded subdivision covenants (which they said prohibit commercial uses), and expressed concerns about increased traffic on Horse Creek/Happy Jack and local subdivision roads, lighting and light pollution from a 90‑space parking area, noise, emergency‑response times in a remote subdivision, water demand and septic impacts, and on‑site drainage. Several residents reported petitions and signatures from more than 50 property owners opposing the use.

After public comment and discussion, the board approved the site plan subject to the staff‑recommended condition that agency comments be addressed and corrections made to the plan before a certificate of review is issued. The board also adopted additional conditions in an amendment: a fence along the site’s north boundary, a traffic study, and a detailed planting/screening map and counts to show proposed containment of lights and views. Full‑cutoff (downward) lighting for parking areas was affirmed as a site‑plan requirement enforced at permitting.

Vote and viewpoints: The amended motion passed on roll call (Commissioners Heath, Hollingshead, Thompson and Chairman Maugham voted “aye”; Commissioner Zwanitzer recorded “no” on the amendment vote but the main motion as amended carried). Commissioner Zwanitzer explained he believed the project would “significantly impact surrounding residential uses”; Commissioner Thompson said the county’s current land‑use regulations treat the proposed use as allowable and his vote supported mitigation conditions rather than denial.

Why it matters: The approval authorizes the land‑use change embodied in the site plan with conditions intended to reduce neighbor impacts. Residents were urged to pursue covenant enforcement or other private remedies if deed‑restrictive covenants apply; county staff reiterated covenants are private agreements not enforced by the county.

Next steps: Applicants must address agency comments, complete required engineering and revise the site plan consistent with conditions before the county will issue a Certificate of Review and building/permitting approvals. The county also requires DEQ and City‑County Health reviews for septic and other environmental approvals.","After an hour of public testimony from Mountain Shadow neighbors who cited traffic, lighting, wells, septic, noise and covenant concerns, the board approved the White Antelope Barn event‑venue site plan with conditions including agency comments, a required north‑boundary fence, a traffic study and a detailed landscape/screening plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County opens 45‑day comment period on new land‑use regulations and proposed zone‑map changes amid strong public comment

County approves health department fee changes after board, department review

Cheyenne MPO narrows potential passenger-rail station locations to two sites

Board approves routine contracts, software subscription and permits; shares funding for Safe Routes to School plan

Board approves White Antelope Barn site plan with conditions after residents oppose venue in Mountain Shadow