Planning commission approves partial vacation, zone change and final plat for Maverick Sweetwater subdivision

The Sweetwater County Planning and Zoning Commission approved three related land-use actions to allow a Maverick convenience-store development near the Love's Truck Stop: a partial vacation of the Covered Wagon Park subdivision, a zone map amendment from manufactured-home and rural residential to commercial, and the final plat for the Maverick Sweetwater Subdivision.

The approvals matter because they clear title, zoning and platting obstacles on an 8.55-acre site north of the original Covered Wagon Park plat so Maverick can move forward with a store and associated infrastructure. Staff recommended approval for each item but attached conditions related to engineering review, drainage, financial assurance and coordination on water and sewer access.

Eric (county planning staff) told the commission the 8.55-acre portion lies in the northwest quarter of Section 7, Township 18 North, and is in an area where commercial development already exists. He said the southern portion of the original 1981 Covered Wagon Park plat was never built and that the parcel is currently within Jamestown Water and the Rio Vista Water and Sewer Districts. Eric said Maverick intends a septic system until a sewer trunk line is available and that access was proposed off Highway 30. He also asked that Maverick continue to work with Project West and the property owners identified in staff materials to complete a water-pipeline easement across the subdivision.

Applicant Stuart L. Grow Jr. of Corner Properties and Todd Myers of Maverick Incorporated described the project as time-sensitive for construction; Myers said Maverick would prefer to begin building soon but the company may wait for the sewer trunk line if the sewer district’s schedule permits. Greg Day of Hunt Day Engineering presented the zone-map amendment rationale, saying the change would “clean things up” by aligning zoning with surrounding commercial uses. Public Works Director Ligursky confirmed the submitted drainage report had been received and would be reviewed by the end of the week.

Staff noted a remaining requirement for financial assurance: a fully executed subdivision improvements agreement must be submitted before recordation of the final plat. County staff and the applicant discussed two timing provisions: (1) the subdivision-improvement agreement allows up to 24 months, with a possible six-month extension, to complete improvements; and (2) county regulations require the plat to be recorded within 180 days of approval. County counsel/staff (Mr. De Leon) and staff said those two provisions can coexist, but any extension of the 180-day recording deadline would require a formal variance.

The county also confirmed two technical items: the Department of Environmental Quality requires an advanced septic system if the project proceeds on septic, and the Wyoming Department of Transportation has approved proposed access. Staff listed outstanding items as final engineering comments and confirmation of financial assurances; staff recommended approval contingent on those items and on recording any necessary easements.

Commission action: the commission voted to approve the partial vacation, the zone map amendment and the final plat with staff recommendations. Each motion carried by the commission, recorded as 4–0; roll-call votes by individual commissioner name were not recorded in the transcript. The commission noted the final plat will proceed to the Board of County Commissioners on March 18 for final action.

The commission’s approvals clear the principal land-use and zoning obstacles for a Maverick store on the parcel but leave the project contingent on completing engineering reviews, recording the subdivision improvements agreement and completing required easements and DEQ/sewer coordination. If the project proceeds, county staff said financial assurances and drainage comments must be resolved before the county will record the final plat.