Committee recommends approval of outside-user agreement for Thunder Basin Land Company; annexation date and city standards required

The committee voted to recommend approval of a resolution authorizing water and sanitary sewer service by an outside user agreement for Thunder Basin Land Company LLC for property south of High Plains Road and west of South Greeley Highway.

Planning staff described the request as an outside user agreement to allow water and sewer connections while the parcel, or portions of it, remain in the county. "They are requesting the water and sewer," said Connor White of the Planning and Development Department. Staff noted the closest sewer main is at the intersection of High Plains and South Greeley and that connection would require coordination with the South Cheyenne Water and Sewer District.

Staff said the agreement includes a date‑certain requirement to apply for annexation by Sept. 1, 2026, and a condition that construction meet city standards because the developer intends to annex later. "That date certain ... is in there so that they can get the funding and do the improvements constructed in the county. And then they will annex into the city," White said.

Developer Casey Palma, agent for the owner, said one building on the property is already occupied, other tenants are imminent and that the project is pursuing a USDA rural development loan/grant. Palma said the developer is prepared to build approximately $1,500,000 of infrastructure, including about a half mile of water main and a half mile of sewer main, paving and sidewalk connections; those improvements, he said, are contingent on execution of the outside user agreement and coordination with utility districts.

The committee moved to recommend adoption of the outside user agreement; the motion passed on a verbal "aye" and the item will be forwarded to the city council with staff conditions requiring annexation application by Sept. 1, 2026 and compliance with city standards for improvements.