Board rezones Nellis-area lot, approves use permit and design review with modified landscaping

The Sunrise Manor Town Advisory Board approved a zone change Jan. 30 to reclassify a 2.11-acre parcel from RS 20 (residential single-family) to IL (industrial light) and approved a use permit and design review to allow outdoor storage at the site along Nellis Boulevard south of Cheyenne (ZC240758; UC240759).

Marissa Furman, representing the property owners (Evans Robert M and Norma J family trust), told the board the project would convert an existing on-site house into office space and use the rear portion of the lot for storage and equipment for a construction company. "The intent here is to have somebody come in and do construction equipment storage outside just as you see all along Nellis," Furman said.

The application sought three waivers of development standards: elimination of street landscaping along Nellis, elimination of parking-lot landscaping, and elimination of a 15-foot landscape buffer and screening along the western property line. Staff recommended approval of the zone change and use permit but recommended denial of the landscaping waivers. Several board members expressed concern about visibility and security because the storage area backs up to Nellis Meadows Park and a BMX area, which draws children and park users.

After debate the board took separate actions: members approved the zone change (ZC240758). For the waivers, the board denied requests to eliminate street landscaping and parking-lot landscaping but approved a modified approach for the required buffer: the board required a 15-foot buffer along the rear property line with at least one row of trees and a screen wall at the required height (the transcript records the board agreed the screen wall must remain). The board then approved the use permit and the design review with those modifications. The motions carried on voice votes.

Furman said the site currently contains an existing metal carport and chain-link fencing; the house will be used as an office and four parking spaces will be provided near the right-of-way. She told the board that some material previously stored on site would be removed and the applicant seeks to bring the parcel into conformity with surrounding industrial uses. Board members said landscaping in the buffer would both reduce heat-island effects and create security between stored equipment and the park.

The board did not record a roll-call vote in the public transcript. Specific planting species, installation timing and maintenance responsibilities will be set in the planning department conditions and final decision paperwork.