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Commission denies petition to vacate Knollwood Road right-of-way, citing need for secondary access
Summary
Laramie County commissioners denied a request to vacate a portion of the 80-foot right-of-way for Knollwood Road after staff and the county viewer warned the easement could be needed as secondary access for subdivision lots; the vote was unanimous.
The Laramie County Board of County Commissioners voted Jan. 20 to deny a petition to vacate a portion of the existing 80-foot public right-of-way for Knollwood Road.
Public Works staff and the county’s viewer recommended denying the petition, saying the platted right-of-way may be needed as a secondary access route for a subdivision with multiple lots and because there is active interest from developers to build the road in the future.
“Land use regulations require that when you have a subdivision with 12 or more lots, you have to have a secondary access for emergencies,” said Scott Larson of Benchmark Engineers, the viewer who prepared the report recommending denial. Larson told the commission that some lots in the plat remain undeveloped, that a pre-application meeting with a prospective developer had occurred, and that local topography and floodplain constraints add uncertainty about where safe access could be constructed.
Curtis Mack, who identified himself as the applicant for the vacation and a property owner in the area, said constructing a road in the location shown would be expensive and problematic because of steep grades and a large floodplain. Mack urged the commission to grant the vacation, saying building the road would require substantial engineering work and major earthmoving.
Residents who spoke in opposition said removing the right-of-way could permanently eliminate a potential second access and might increase safety risks for existing homes. Levi Martin, who said he owns property at 10300 Knollwood, told commissioners that maintaining the public right-of-way preserves a legally enforceable access option and argued the topography provides easier approach from Horse Creek Road than from other directions.
Staff clarified that if development occurs, state transportation authorities (WYDOT) would review any intersection with Horse Creek Road and that any road construction would be the developer’s expense. Commissioners emphasized the difficulty of restoring a vacated right-of-way once recorded and voted to deny the petition by roll call.
