Sweetwater County planning commission recommends renewal of impound yard permit at 99 Reliance Road

The Sweetwater County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners renew a conditional use permit for LMP Towing and Recovery to operate an impound, salvage and storage yard at 99 Reliance Road in Reliance (near Rock Springs).

Staff planner Cassidy Brown told the commission the property consists of two parcels totaling about 7.16 acres in a heavy industrial zone and is within the county's growth management area. LMP was originally granted a conditional use permit in July 2023 and, Brown said, has remained in compliance since then. "The applicant is just looking to renew that conditional use permit in order to continue operating a salvage towing and recovery yard at that location," Brown said.

Brown summarized the site constraints and conditions county rules require for vehicle impound and salvage yards, including separation distances and screening. She told commissioners that the county regulation bars salvage and impound yards from being established within 600 feet of a church, school or residential zoning district, and that the parcel is about 340 feet from residential zoning but that the intervening area is primarily storage for the B & R Mobile Home Park; the nearest actual residences in that park are about 860 feet southwest of the subject parcel. Brown also said the site is fully screened along the southwest and east boundaries as required, and staff recommended a renewal with conditions including a limit on vehicle stacking and maintenance of fencing.

Applicant Troy Clark, who identified himself as owner of LMP Towing and Recovery, told the commission he purchased the property after buying the business and said he has followed the commission's recommendations while operating the facility. "I've followed every recommendation you guys have given me, doing my best to run my business and provide for my family," Clark said.

Staff noted two agency comments: Mark Berry with Lumen said Lumen has infrastructure in the area but that, because no construction is proposed, Lumen has no conflict; a senior mining engineer (transcript identifies this reviewer as a Reed) reported no abandoned mine land (AML) concerns. Brown reiterated that the business must remain licensed as a Wyoming vehicle storage and disposal facility and must conform to Wyoming DEQ disposal requirements.

After no public testimony for or against the request, a commission member moved to "accept public hearing number 1 with the staff recommendations for Troy Clark." The motion was seconded and carried. The commission's action is a recommendation; the county commissioners will consider the permit renewal at a later meeting.

Staff recommended these conditions: the permit be personal to LMP Towing and Recovery at 99 Reliance Road; the permit be approved for an indefinite period while the business remains in compliance and maintains a valid Wyoming vehicle storage and disposal license; the existing 100% permanent fencing along the southwest and east boundaries be maintained; and vehicles not be stacked higher than 6 feet. The initial conditional use permit was granted in July 2023 for a two-year term; staff recommended extending the permit indefinitely so long as compliance continues.

The commission record shows no public opposition at the hearing and no agency objections that would block the use. The recommendation now moves to the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners for final action.