Planning commission recommends annexation and R‑1 rezoning for 15.8‑acre Hilltop parcel

The City of Laramie Planning Commission on Feb. 24 recommended that the City Council approve the annexation of approximately 15.8 acres known as the Hilltop parcel and rezone the property to R‑1 (single‑family residential).

Planning staff said the annexation would eliminate a county “island” within the city and cited state law as a driver of the action. Planning staff member Emma told the commission, “Wyoming State statute fifteen‑one‑four‑zero‑six d prohibits the creation of such county islands and the annexation would ensure compliance with state law and support effective city planning.” The commission voted to forward both the annexation and the rezoning recommendation to council.

The Hilltop parcel, owned by Wilco Land LLC and represented at the meeting by Tom Willis, is surrounded by city limits and would shift from county to city jurisdiction if the council approves annexation. Planning staff said no formal development application had been filed and that, if a developer proposes work, the property would be reviewed under…