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

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.