Commission recommends approval of Barnhart zoning change to permit two 20‑acre parcels; moves to county commissioners

The Albany County Planning and Zoning Commission on April 2025 recommended approval of a zoning‑district amendment for Roy and Tammy Barnhart (ZDA‑0225) that would change a 40.11‑acre parcel at 91 Twin Buttes Vista Drive from Agricultural to Agricultural‑Residential. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners, which makes the final decision.

Planning staff presented the application and its supporting materials, noting that staff believes the proposal follows the Albany County Comprehensive Plan and that the applicant provided a complete application packet. The staff report incorporated comments from county GIS and the Laramie Rivers Conservation District regarding soils and potential impacts; staff recommended approval, adopting the staff analysis and findings.

Applicant Tammy Barnhart spoke at the hearing and said the Barnharts sought to split their 40.11‑acre lot roughly into two 20‑acre parcels for a residential division; she said the subdivision level had HOA approval and referenced similar splits in the subdivision. Several neighbors spoke at the hearing. Public commenters were split: some supported the Barnharts’ request and noted deed‑restriction/HOA provisions that allow splits to 10 acres if other conditions are met; others said they bought 40‑acre parcels for lower density and worried about incremental fragmentation and septic/water impacts.

Commissioners asked staff questions about prior consideration of the parcel, wildlife and Game and Fish comments, and how the agricultural‑residential zoning interacts with HOA covenants and county subdivision rules. Staff said an earlier, prior version of the proposal was previously denied at a different stage because of wildlife concerns; following follow‑up staff had engaged Wyoming Game and Fish and received no objection on the current record. Commissioners noted the agricultural‑residential designation limits potential density to two parcels for a 40‑acre parent parcel (minimum lot size and average requirements apply) and therefore does not enable the higher‑density small‑lot subdivision raised in other hearings.

The commission voted to recommend approval of ZDA‑0225 adopting staff analysis and findings. Commissioners recorded ayes and the motion carried; the planning commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of County Commissioners for final action. The record notes that this action is a recommendation only — the county commissioners will make the ultimate determination.

Ending: The Barnharts’ request will move forward to the county commissioners with the planning commission’s recommendation of approval; the county’s final decision will be scheduled on a future Board of County Commissioners agenda.