Committee approves AG holding zone near West Lisonbee despite resident objections on RV/worker‑camp concerns

The Public Services Committee on Jan. 6 recommended City Council approve on third and final reading an ordinance that amends the official zoning map to AG (agricultural) for a parcel northeast of West Lisonbee Road and Walterscheid Boulevard.

Planning staff said the parcel had previously been zoned A1 in the county and was within city limits; the applicant requested AG as a holding zone after a proposed work‑camp/ RV‑camp project was withdrawn and the conditional use and required contract were also withdrawn. Charles Bloom, director of the City of Cheyenne Planning and Development Department, told the committee the parcel had been unzoned since about 1998–2000 after a county action and staff was not aware of harm resulting from the earlier lack of city zoning.

Resident Randy Bonnick told the committee he wanted the members and staff to inspect the property and raised concerns about the possibility of an RV or worker camp in a neighborhood that is now largely residential. "If you look at the property, imagine that you live across the street from it. What problems would you have if that was an RV camp?" Bonnick asked.

John Sayers, agent for Triggered Land Development, said the original intent included a possible RV park but that the conditional use and site plan were withdrawn and the company’s current action is only to convert an A1 county zone to a city AG holding zone. "All we are doing is submitting an A1 to AG for a holding zone on this property," Sayers said, adding the change makes the parcel compliant with city zoning while future uses would require separate approvals.

Committee member Doctor Aldridge said the AG designation permits work camps and RV camps and said she would vote no because the committee lacks a mechanism to remove that terminology from the AG zone or to hold the developer’s funds while the city revises the AG definition. "Until we can get our ducks in a row as far as removing that terminology from the AG zoning, I'm going to be a no vote," Aldridge said.

Mark Rennie, identified himself as representing Ward 2, said the procedures generally require assigning the comparable city zone before the applicant returns to request a different zone and that voting no would impose extra costs on applicants who would need to reapply. "If you vote no ... the developer is harmed in two ways," Rennie said, referencing application costs and process delays.

Councilman White said he heard constituent concerns but would support the zone change to stay consistent with prior practice; he said any specific project would require separate review by the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment or Council.

The motion to approve on third and final reading was moved by Mr. White and seconded by Doctor Emmons. The committee voted to recommend approval, with Doctor Ullrich recorded as the sole no vote. The recommendation will go to City Council for final action.