Planning board approves conditional-use permit for Oxbow Center group home at 2716 Cougar Avenue

The City of Cody Planning and Zoning and Adjustment Board approved a conditional-use permit on Thursday allowing Oxbow Center to operate an individual care group home at 2716 Cougar Avenue.

The board voted to grant the permit with the six conditions listed in the staff report, including that the operator obtain state plan review and approval from the state fire marshal prior to commencement of use.

Board members and city staff discussed the property’s prior zoning and nonconforming-use status. City staff noted the parcel had previously operated as an individual care facility and had been grandfathered when zoning changes took effect, but that the grandfathered status can lapse if the prior use ceases. Staff indicated the facility had been out of operation for more than one year, which required the current applicant to apply for a conditional-use permit under the City of Cody land-use rules.

During the public hearing, a nearby resident who identified himself as Mr. Osgood testified that he has lived next to the group home for about 20 years and praised the operator’s management of residents. Mary Johnson, identified as CEO of Oxbow Center, told the board the organization intends to move residents from its existing site across the street into the proposed property and then place the original property on the market once vacated.

Neighbors asked about building fixtures and operations. A resident asked whether the proposed home would have sufficient bathrooms for up to 10 residents plus staff; Johnson replied each bedroom has an en suite bathroom and that there is also a central bathroom. Staff and board members confirmed the proposed facility would serve both men and women, and discussed parking: Johnson said residents typically do not drive and agency vehicles would be stored at Oxbow Center’s main facility rather than parked at the new site.

Board members discussed the possibility that the current, across-the-street property might later be put to another use. Staff said a property that has ceased the grandfathered use for a calendar year would lose the nonconforming status and any future identical use would require its own approval process.

After public comment and board discussion, a motion to approve the conditional-use permit with the six staff conditions carried. The chair announced approval; the formal roll-call tally was not recorded in the minutes beyond the board’s affirmative vote.

The permit is conditioned on the items listed in the staff report, including state fire marshal plan review and the building-permit requirements described by staff. The board did not place a time-limited renewal on the permit; staff stated that once granted the permit remains in effect unless revoked under the city code.