Lander County approves multiple zone changes and parcel maps, rezones site for new EMS building

The Lander County Board of Commissioners on May 8 approved a group of land-use items recommended by the county Planning Commission, including zone changes, parcel maps and a county-initiated zoning change to permit construction of a new county EMS building. The approvals were routine and carried with no recorded objections at the meeting.

Why it matters: The approvals clear regulatory steps for residential and commercial development across Battle Mountain-area properties and formally rezone a county-owned parcel to "GP" (General Government Purpose) for the new Lander County EMS/Fire Station project.

What the commission approved: Items approved by the commission included (motions and staff summaries given at the meeting):

- Zone change application 25-0011 (Double K Land Company LLC) to rezone APN 011-020-22 and part of APN 011-020-21 from 2.5-acre agricultural to R-1 single-family residential to allow higher-density residential development (approved; planning commission had recommended approval with no conditions).

- Zone change application 25-0012 (Emerald Land Company LLC) to rezone APN 011-020-18 and APN 011-020-32 between 2.5-acre agricultural, A-1 (1-acre agricultural) and R-1 single-family residential categories as described on the record (approved).

- County-initiated zone change 25-0017 to rezone APN 002-330-21 from C-1 commercial to GP (General Government Purpose) to allow development of the new Lander County EMS building (approved).

- A series of parcel maps and divisions: parcel map 25-0008 (DSJS Properties LLC) combining two commercial parcels near State Route 305; parcel map 25-0013 (Muddy's 268 LLC) subdividing a 0.826-acre lot into ~0.11-acre and ~0.66-acre parcels in a C-1 commercial district; multiple parcel maps and divisions filed by Faded Sage Properties / Faded Sage Development and others that create residential lots and dedicate rights-of-way in the Yellow Brick Road / 8th Street area; and a division of land in two large parcels by Feral Cats LLC for a 640-acre tract to be divided into 16 40-acre parcels (all approved, with the common standard condition that parcel maps be recorded with the Lander County Recorder within one year of the commission's approval, per the planning commission recommendation).

Planning staff and applicants: Shelby Knott, the county planning coordinator, and Aaron Martinez, county engineer, presented the items and confirmed the planning commission's earlier approvals and recommended conditions. Martinez noted that government-purpose zoning explicitly allows fire stations and related public facilities; the EMS building rezoning was part of a special-use permit process already handled by planning staff.

Public comment and applicant remarks: Most planning items drew no public comment. A DSJS Properties representative said the combined commercial parcel will host a Taco Bell with drive-through facilities; that applicant's representative was the only member of the public to state a proposed use during the hearing. Where applicants appeared, staff confirmed that the planning commission had approved each item without additional conditions.

Votes at a glance: The board approved all the planning items taken up during the May 8 public hearing, adopting the planning commission's recommendations and the standard recording condition (parcel maps to be recorded within one year of approval). No votes recorded opposition on the record.

Ending: With the approvals complete, applicants may proceed to record parcel maps and pursue permits required for development; county staff will coordinate the rezoning and special-use permit steps for the new EMS building site.