Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Laramie Planning Commission approves future land-use change, recommends rezoning of 33-acre Westside site
Summary
On Oct. 13 the Laramie Planning Commission approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment and voted to recommend rezoning roughly 33 acres along the Laramie River from industrial to multifamily, forwarding both items to City Council for final action.
The Laramie Planning Commission on Oct. 13 approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment changing the future land-use designation of about 33 acres in the city's Westside and recommended that the City Council rezone the same property from I-2 (industrial) to R-3 (multifamily residential).
City planning staff said the amendment and rezoning aim to allow a broader range of housing types on land bounded by Snowy Range Road, the Laramie River and West Garfield Street. Emma Dixon, a city planner, summarized the two items and staff recommendations and said the proposal includes a small, staff-recommended 1-acre triangular parcel directly south of the main site for consistency.
The amendment changes the Future Land Use Map designation from Urban Commercial to Urban Residential, a shift staff said better aligns with the city's current housing needs. The property, formerly owned by Union Pacific Railroad, was evaluated through the Brownfield Environmental Assessment process and was found suitable for redevelopment, staff said.
City engineer Eric Jap and floodplain administrator Aaron Murray told the commission that any future development on the site must meet Federal Emergency Management Agency standards, provide on-site stormwater detention and avoid increasing stormwater runoff onto adjacent properties. Commissioners emphasized that projects would still be subject to detailed engineering reviews and permitting to ensure compliance with adopted codes.
Public comment included concerns about flooding, neighborhood impacts and infrastructure, while others, including representatives of local employers, spoke in favor of expanding housing options. The property owner told the commission that the land could still be developed for industrial uses if housing is not approved.
After discussion, the Planning Commission voted 6-0, with one member absent, to approve the Comprehensive Plan amendment and forward it to City Council for certification. The commission then voted 6-0 to recommend that City Council approve rezoning the site from I-2 to R-3 and to include the recommended 1-acre parcel in the rezoning request. Both actions now move to the City Council for final decisions.
The commission noted the items had been postponed from the Sept. 22 meeting so staff could provide additional background information. For more details and application materials, staff directed interested parties to the City of Laramie planning webpages.
