The Cheyenne City Council on Aug. 4 approved on second reading a city-initiated annexation of 38 parcels located generally south of Delrange Boulevard, east of Dry Creek, west of Whitney Road and north of Charles Street, and established zoning classifications for the annexed land.
The annexation drew public comment from property owners in the affected area who said they did not want to be brought into the city. Trish Morris, a property owner at 6212 Laramie Street, said she and her neighbors worry about costs such as curb and gutter installation and the effect on property value. “If we were gonna sell it, then does the buyer then have to put in curb and gutter? That's a big concern for us,” Morris said.
The annexation ordinance was approved on second reading despite two council members voting no. Mayor Collins said city staff revised ordinances to reduce costs to property owners brought into the city; she told speakers that annexed residents would not be required to install curb, gutter or sidewalk unless they seek new development and that sanitation service would be required. “Your property taxes will go up 5%…you won't pay [fire district mills] anymore,” Collins said when describing net tax impacts.
Council member Mary Aldridge (Ward 3) said she would vote no on the annexation because some speakers opposed it, while explaining she would vote yes on the mandatory zoning that follows annexation under state law. “While it may seem dichotomous…once that decision is made, we do have to give it that zone,” Aldridge said. The council then approved on second reading the zoning map amendments assigning AR (agricultural residential), MR (medium density residential), HR (high density residential), CB (community business), and MUR (mixed use residential) for the newly annexed land.
City planning staff told the council that the annexation is part of a long-running goal to eliminate “county pockets” that are fully surrounded by city limits and to clarify emergency response and service responsibility. Council members said a delayed emergency response on Ridge Road helped prompt the policy. City staff also said nonconforming uses are grandfathered under state law, but would be lost if the use lapses for more than a year.
The annexation motion was moved by Councilman Seagrave and seconded by Dr. Emmons. Clerk-recorded votes on second reading showed Aldridge and Councilman Moody voting no; the ordinance passed.
The council also announced a related public hearing to be held Aug. 11 to determine compliance with annexation conditions for a separate 18.62-acre tract; that hearing is scheduled in City Council Chambers.