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Commission weighs zoning amendments and industrial‑siting language; debate over 'nuclear manufacturing' and local authority
Summary
Planning Director Sabrina presented targeted amendments to Natrona County’s 2022 zoning resolution to improve clarity and fix internal contradictions.
Planning Director Sabrina presented targeted amendments to the county’s 2022 zoning resolution designed to clear contradictions and streamline administration. Among the substantive adjustments she highlighted were consolidating wireless communications and tower rules, updating sign and PUD language, adding a commercial‑storage use category and new definitions for breweries/distilleries, and adding references to international fire code compliance for storage of flammable liquids.
The presentation prompted extended debate about an industrial‑siting section (3.10). Sabrina explained the proposed process would create pre‑application meetings and a checklist of state agencies the county would consult; commissioners worried that vague wording could create arbitrary discretion. Commissioner Nicholas urged clear, objective criteria and urged the county to avoid inserting itself as a quasi‑auditor of ISD compliance. “We don’t have the expertise,” he said, arguing the county should invite state agencies to participate rather than try to replicate their work.
A second flashpoint was language that would explicitly include some “nuclear manufacturing” uses in the heavy industrial zone. Commissioners said the county needs to decide whether to keep silent (which could be interpreted as prohibition) or adopt a clear position that such manufacturing would be permitted only in certain zones and subject to state/federal approvals. Sabrina said the draft includes nuclear as an identified use in heavy industrial but has no county‑level override of state law.
Commissioners asked staff to rewrite Section 3.10 with clearer process language and objective criteria for county review and to return on Oct. 21. Several commissioners also asked legal staff to double‑check cross‑references to state statute (ISD) and the county’s own subdivision rules to reduce conflict risk.
No final policy change was adopted; staff will redraft the industrial‑siting language and return with more specific application and notification language.
Sources: Presentation by Sabrina (Planning & Zoning) to the Natrona County Board of Commissioners; public and commissioner Q&A.
