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City and county reopen talks on mountain–valley land swap; appraisals, MOU and trail access flagged
Summary
City of Casper and Natrona County officials resumed public discussion of a proposed land swap on the mountain and in the valley, with city staff presenting parcels the city would like in exchange for land it currently occupies on the mountain.
City of Casper and Natrona County officials resumed public discussion of a proposed land swap on the mountain and in the valley, with city staff presenting parcels the city would like in exchange for land it currently occupies on the mountain.
The presentation identified roughly 20 acres on the mountain that the city wants to retain in exchange for about 400 acres of county property in the valley, including riverfront strips for trail development, right-of-way access parcels, and a 0.112-acre triangular parcel in Sage Park. Carter (city representative) and Miss Becker (city staff) told commissioners that the city added the Sage Park parcel after park staff identified it during a redesign of the park and that health department properties were now included for consideration.
Commissioners said they want county appraisals completed quickly so valuations are current and fair. Commissioner Mahlma noted county appraisals are not done; other commissioners said the county has delayed appraisals and directed staff to expedite them. County staff agreed to begin contacting appraisers “probably today.”
Commission members pressed the city on which portion of mountain property would remain with the city. The city said it intends to retain a central portion containing an existing cell-tower farm while trading lands to the west that contain most Nordic trails. City staff said they will prepare a plat showing precisely which acres would remain with the city and which would be traded and will resubmit that exhibit to the commission when complete.
Discussion also covered interim access and management: commissioners asked for easements and an MOU (memorandum of understanding) or temporary-use agreement so the county can continue to use trails and facilities while final exchanges and plats are completed. City staff supported a limited-use MOU with a short time frame to give both parties a mutual deadline to finish the swap. Commissioners suggested working with Parks Director Michael (County parks director) to map slash-pile locations, trail corridors and private-property access so easements do not obstruct private owners.
City staff said the city photographed and reviewed each parcel it proposed to trade and explained it had removed a number of parcels from earlier lists because they were unsuitable (small, isolated parcels, parcels adjacent to private homes, etc.). City staff also noted some earlier-listed properties, such as the former Iris Clubhouse parcel, were removed because the county had previously gifted them.
Next steps agreed in the meeting: city and county staff will work on a short-term MOU to retain access while completing plats; county staff will begin expedited appraisals of the county parcels on the list; and the city will finish a plat showing the cell-tower portion it wishes to retain. Commissioners directed staff to set up a field meeting with parks staff and the county surveyor to mark needed easements and identify precisely what acreage is required for trails and future maintenance.
No formal vote on the swap took place at the meeting. The commission indicated informal agreement to proceed with a dual-track approach—start appraisals and draft an interim MOU—before any final contract or exchange is approved.
