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Council approves annexation and R‑1 zoning for 15.79‑acre Hilltop parcel
Summary
The council voted unanimously to annex approximately 15.79 acres known as the Hill/Hilltop property and to zone the parcel R‑1 (single‑family residential); staff said no development proposal has been submitted and that up to 29 lots would be allowed under fire‑access rules.
The Laramie City Council on April 15 unanimously approved two ordinances to annex and zone about 15.79 acres of land known as The Hill or the Hilltop property. The council voted 9-0 to annex the parcel (ordinance No. 2100) and 9-0 to establish R‑1 single‑family residential zoning for the property (ordinance No. 2101).
Planning staff told the council the parcel, owned by Wilco Land LLC, is entirely surrounded by the city and annexation will allow the city to apply its development standards and oversee future land use. Staff said no formal development plan has been submitted; the owner’s representative, Tom Willis, said the owners do not have firm plans but have engaged a local engineering firm for future work.
Staff said the annexation complies with the applicable state statute cited in the staff report and resolves a county “island” condition cited as state statute 15 1 section 4 0 6 d in the transcript. Planners told the council that because the parcel has a single access point, the local fire code limits the maximum number of lots to 29 unless additional access is provided. If an additional public access were later secured, staff said that would change the feasible density and require additional studies — stormwater, infrastructure design and potential retention areas — during the preliminary and final plat process.
Councilors asked about infrastructure costs; planning staff said detailed cost estimates would be provided during final planning and the developer would be responsible for constructing and bonding public infrastructure (roads, sewer, water, curb and gutter). Staff noted the International Building Code and fire code requirements would apply to future construction.
Public comments included neighbors urging minimal environmental and wildlife impacts and asking for neighborhood input on open‑space decisions. Staff said city code allows either dedication of open space or a park‑in‑lieu fee and that staff would recommend an approach during the plat review; the council indicated preference for protecting open space where feasible.
Both ordinances passed on second reading as presented. Planning staff said future steps include preliminary plat review and final plat and that all infrastructure and design details will be handled in those subsequent proceedings.
