Planning commission backs Sand Hill subdivision, recommends Love’s sign variance to county commissioners

The Natrona County Planning and Zoning Commission on June 10 recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Sand Hill No. 1 major subdivision and separately forwarded a recommendation to approve a related sign variance requested by Love’s Travel stops.

The commission unanimously recommended approval of the subdivision staff described as a two-lot plat on roughly 32.47 acres in the Light Industrial zoning district at the Wardwell/Bar Nunn interchange east of I‑25. "Staff finds the application to be complete and in compliance with zoning and subdivision codes and recommends a due pass recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners," interim planner Sean Gustafson said during his staff presentation.

The applicant proposes Lot 1 for a convenience-store fueling center (Love’s) and Lot 2 as a future parcel. Gustafson told commissioners the subdivision meets the county’s subdivision criteria including lot size, provision of water and sewer via the Town of Bar Nunn (will-serve letter provided), and conformity with the Natrona County 2013 subdivision regulations. He noted Wyoming DEQ guidance that subdivisions of fewer than six lots remain under county purview for chapter‑23 review but that WDEQ permitting for connections may still be required. Public agencies raised technical items: YDOT indicated access modifications and potential traffic improvements will be required and a traffic study had been forwarded for YDOT review; the health department asked for study of whether Wardwell Water and Sewer District can handle additional flow; county road and fire officials raised no prohibitive concerns.

Love’s representatives told the commission the company wants taller and larger signs to improve interstate visibility and safety for high‑speed traffic approaching the Wardwell exit. The variance request sought an 80‑foot pole sign (county code allows 40 feet), a pole‑sign face of 989.5 square feet (code: 100 sq ft), larger freestanding directional signage, and a total site sign area of about 1,882 square feet (county frontage rules illustrated a 620‑sq‑ft allotment under current code). Sean Gustafson summarized staff’s analysis: "The justification of the increase in height and size of the pole sign is justifiable from an interstate highway visibility and speed reaction time standpoint," and staff recommended forwarding a do‑pass recommendation to the BOCC.

Love’s sign consultant and company representatives said they superimposed proposed signs on aerial views and expected that an 80‑foot pole is consistent with interstate travel‑center signage elsewhere and would provide earlier driver recognition on ramps and rolling terrain. No written public comments were recorded in staff files; a handful of residents spoke at the public hearing but raised no formal objection specific to these two items. Following discussion, the commission voted to recommend approval of both the major subdivision (MS24‑09) and the sign variance (VC25‑01) to the Board of County Commissioners.

Both items will next appear on the county commission agenda for final action. If approved by the BOCC, Love’s will still be required to submit site plans and building permits showing compliance with county development standards, and YDOT approval will be required for any highway access modifications.