[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74],{"_32":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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6140112,"mediaKeyId","5579560-483524f78286458c3af9d81c3cb00ed5","parentId",5579560,"title","Neighbors oppose Morris rezoning in Centennial; commissioners debate enforcement, short‑term rentals and neighborhood character","audioSeconds",447,"startMs",3073000,"endMs",2626000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579560-483524f78286458c3af9d81c3cb00ed5&start=3073&end=2626","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579560-483524f78286458c3af9d81c3cb00ed5/thumbnail_3073000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6140112/Albany-County/Wyoming/Neighbors-oppose-Morris-rezoning-in-Centennial-commissioners-debate-enforcement-shortterm-rentals-and-neighborhood-character","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140112-e318926675ef009ddb61a4251a3f9557/orig.mp4?Expires=1769716520&Signature=ZGmX-0BHBF3bx0wilxtSQLvIPkZ-1~--pkK-TBUzVjAez0C-or-LhdrX52rKnuOHoaONpU1XIrP1rWlmzwZlmm58STylLF60fZgP2OcWPbieK~3M9R5LGpKT7MRBegkIbvP7N6OFYu5HlW-Oayii2e13DTEl8JgMY0IfFyKYIu-f28NEYqoie46tzdcUGntPW1UeyZIS5hBwJqw8Nf7OKDLwtsyGdFaRMC0Z7gUHoejBgeGdkh5y5wEZURnJvgxElFEHHXF3FDx1nVKt5HLhrReGdBGl8Py5JC--RAZQrP5s0t42t2x5SZDND1EblCX41mSu~qRcAYxu-ZFjFQZ7zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Albany County WY","date","2025-08-14T14:18:58Z","article","The Albany County Planning & Zoning Commission on Aug. 13 voted to recommend denial of a zoning‑district amendment requested by Keith and Renee Morris that would have changed a roughly 4.08‑acre parcel in Centennial from Rancho/rural residential to Small Lot Residential so a second dwelling on the parcel would be permitted.

Renee Morris, an applicant and co‑owner of Mountain Valley Gate Getaway LLC, told the commission the structure began life as a permitted garage built after permit application in 2015 and that living quarters were later added. Morris said the addition was an oversight in permitting and that the owners moved quickly to engage planning staff after a June notice; a planning packet in the public record shows an enforcement file open since 2019 that referenced a wastewater complaint.

Neighbor Michelle Tilly and other Centennial residents spoke during the public hearing and submitted written comments opposing rezoning. Tilly said the garage was constructed with finished plumbing and a full kitchen and had been advertised on short‑term rental platforms beginning in 2016; she and other residents said the neighborhood deeds and covenants call for single‑residence parcels and that approving the rezoning would amount to a spot rezoning that would alter long‑standing neighborhood character.

Several commissioners said they found the Morris case difficult. Planning staff described the property as about 4.08 acres and said the county’s wastewater engineer had confirmed the system was sized for the structure as built; staff said the parcel was subject to an open enforcement matter because an additional dwelling had been established without appropriate zoning approval. Commissioners debated options: pursue enforcement (abatement, fines, or court action) or approve a zoning change to resolve the ongoing enforcement case. County Attorney Matt Ayers advised that deed restrictions and covenants are private contractual matters the county cannot directly enforce, though they may be relevant when evaluating compatibility under zoning findings.

Public commenters and several commissioners flagged short‑term rentals as a broader policy issue. Neighbors said they have experienced increased traffic, higher occupancy at times and a change in neighborhood character tied to the property’s rental history. Commissioners discussed that the county’s land‑use table already lists bed‑and‑breakfast as a conditional use in some zones, but that “short‑term rental” is not explicitly regulated in the Albany County zoning resolution; staff said other jurisdictions have reached differing conclusions and that enforcement is frequently resource intensive.

After extended discussion the commission voted to recommend denial of the Morris rezoning, instructing staff to prepare denial findings tied to the Albany County comprehensive plan and to document compatibility concerns raised in public comment. Commissioners asked staff to include the enforcement record and relevant wastewater and building‑permit documentation in the packet the Board of County Commissioners will receive.

Why it matters: The decision affects one Centennial property immediately and raises broader questions about how the county handles accessory dwellings, enforcement of zoning rules and the degree to which short‑term rentals alter rural neighborhood character. Commissioners also flagged the need for clearer rules or a local study of short‑term rental policy, enforcement costs and potential local options (for example, overlay rules or conditional use requirements) if the county wants to regulate such uses.

Next steps: Staff will prepare findings of fact and conclusions of law to accompany the denial recommendation and forward the packet to the Board of County Commissioners for final action. The commission asked staff to report back with any legal or practical options for addressing short‑term rentals and to summarize what peer jurisdictions do.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Albany County Government - Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - 8/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission voted Aug. 13 to recommend denial of a Morris zoning‑district amendment in Centennial after neighbors said a second dwelling had been operated as a short‑term rental and raised compatibility concerns.","taxTitle","Albany County, Wyoming","taxId",52001,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6140117,"Albany County planning commission recommends Mitchell variance, denies Morris rezoning and backs industrial zoning for Pete Lean; adopts bylaw change for public",1031,6575000,7606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579560-483524f78286458c3af9d81c3cb00ed5&start=6575&end=7606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579560-483524f78286458c3af9d81c3cb00ed5/thumbnail_6575000.jpg","/articles/6140117/Albany-County/Wyoming/Albany-County-planning-commission-recommends-Mitchell-variance-denies-Morris-rezoning-and-backs-industrial-zoning-for-Pete-Lean-adopts-bylaw-change-for-public","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140117-0bd2399231ce456c4feeff8302deadde/orig.mp4?Expires=1769716520&Signature=VKhIU~s1Dx9d345GpfCP6mDJ0DL7KjVc26lhtOfxqtQxRjknJP7mZFgl9ySZpNQwOAnxEQnF5yfGJvfTSzeKcLUafuXnqa07Dz19Mf35uxSvXWUENrfkdzqQ9UErp~Q8YaHWpMHJkX6gISRWFCe2oV3pY0y4gZiQE~UsOcsucJ1aNq93o3eRmfA5aD9pHugP-Bfeo2scDfmGuomVGUE2EtFmJ11i6uwYQxgMzqby8KbAqM-JHnsp7EBzyQKp4hq7YJ1XS51umaHwQeQC2A4VpITN6rq~CEJuaJSitxB0JfgqctbBCwCrdtCsDrHKSsPVFXI81XAdI-o1KgmJfxGyNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albany County Planning & Zoning Commission on Aug. 13 recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve a variance for a Mitchell property, voted to recommend denial of a zoning-district amendment sought by Keith and Renee Morris, and recommended approval of an industrial zoning amendment for Pete Lean & Sons. The commission also approved a procedural amendment to its rules of practice for public review.

The commission moved most consequential items by formal motions after staff presentations and public comment. In each contested case the commission recorded reasons on the record and asked staff to include findings and conclusions to accompany the recommendation sent to the Board of County Commissioners.

Mitchell variance: The commission voted to recommend approval of a variance (BAR‑01‑25) to allow subdivision of a parcel that staff said measures just under 10 acres. Staff told commissioners the parcel did not meet the standard lot-size threshold for a standard subdivision and recommended denial; the commission voted to forward an approval recommendation, identifying an assessor/platting discrepancy as an exceptional circumstance supporting a variance.

Morris zoning amendment (ZDA‑06‑25): The commission recommended denial of a requested rezoning that would have changed roughly 4.08 acres in Centennial from agricultural/rural residential (Ranchette/Rancho) to Small Lot Residential to accommodate a second dwelling on the property. The item drew lengthy public comment from neighbors who said the property had been operated as a short‑term rental and that the rezoning would alter long‑standing neighborhood character. Commissioners debated enforcement options and whether rezoning would set an undesirable precedent; the commission voted to recommend denial and instructed staff to include findings referencing compatibility with the comprehensive plan.

Pete Lean & Sons zoning amendment (ZDA‑07‑25): The commission recommended approval of an amendment to rezone a portion of property identified for a rail loading/unloading and transfer area from agricultural to industrial. Staff said the parcel lies alongside existing industrially used property, that the work supports an existing processing operation, and that required agency reviews (including Wyoming Department of Transportation and Laramie Rivers Conservation District) had been routed. Public comment was not offered during the hearing and the commission voted to forward a recommendation to approve.

Rules of practice/procedure update: Commissioners approved language to clarify handling of tie votes in commission actions and sent the amendment forward for publication and public comment.

Votes at a glance
- Mitchell variance (BAR‑01‑25): Motion to recommend approval adopted; vote recorded on the public record as ayes by multiple commissioners; motion carried. Staff recommendation: deny. Outcome (commission recommendation to BOCC): approve (recommendation).
- Morris zoning district amendment (ZDA‑06‑25): Motion to recommend denial adopted after public comment and discussion of compatibility and enforcement; commission instructed staff to include findings supporting denial. Outcome (commission recommendation to BOCC): deny (recommendation).
- Pete Lean & Sons zoning district amendment (ZDA‑07‑25): Motion to recommend approval adopted. Outcome (commission recommendation to BOCC): approve (recommendation).
- Rules of practice/procedure (amendment for public comment): Motion to publish amendment for public comment adopted. Outcome: approved for public comment.

Next steps: The commission’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action where applicable. Staff will prepare the required findings of fact and conclusions of law to accompany each recommendation.

Nothing in this summary asserts decisions beyond what appears in the public transcript and the motions the commission recorded.","The Albany County Planning & Zoning Commission on Aug. 13 recommended approval of a variance for a Mitchell parcel, recommended denial of a rezoning request in Centennial by Keith and Renee Morris, and recommended approval of an industrial zoning amendment for Pete Lean & Sons; it also approved a procedural amendment for public comment.","actionData","errors"]

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Neighbors oppose Morris rezoning in Centennial; commissioners debate enforcement, short‑term rentals and neighborhood character

Albany County planning commission recommends Mitchell variance, denies Morris rezoning and backs industrial zoning for Pete Lean; adopts bylaw change for public