Natrona County approves Vista West 1 road change while reserving emergency access

The Natrona County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to grant a petition from Vista West 1 homeowners to change a short segment of Grass Creek Road from public to private status, while reserving a perpetual county easement for emergency ingress and egress.

The decision followed more than two hours of public testimony from residents on both sides of the disputed boundary between Vista West 1 and neighboring Vista West 3. Supporters of privatization, led by Vista West 1 HOA president Bob Docter, said routine public through-traffic — including off‑road vehicles — has increased dust, noise and maintenance costs for residents and that locking or gating a short connector would restore neighborhood control. “We need to stop the excess traffic coming through our neighborhood,” Docter said during the hearing, urging the commission to allow the HOA to manage the segment and work with the fire district on gated emergency access.

Opponents from Vista West 3 argued the road has been dedicated to public use since 1995 and that Vista West 3 relies on Grass Creek Road as an emergency egress when the subdivision’s primary route is blocked. Several neighbors, including longtime resident Ann Robinson, asked the board to preserve the public’s 30‑year right to use the way, citing county subdivision standards and fire-code expectations for multiple access points.

Fire Chief Brian Oliver told commissioners the short connector has not been a routine primary response route for years but recommended the compromise approved by the board: allow privatization but preserve a county easement of an appropriate width to guarantee emergency access. “If the homeowners associations would agree to leave a gate for fire‑department access, that would be a fair compromise,” Oliver said.

Commissioner Nicholas moved the measure with an amendment reserving a perpetual county easement for emergency ingress and egress “as determined by an authorized county official.” The motion passed on a voice vote.

The order returned the identified right‑of‑way interest to private ownership subject to that reserved easement; the county attorney’s office will prepare the implementing documents and the record of the viewers’ report will be included in the file. The board’s action includes a condition that the county will determine the easement width and any operational modal (gate and lock, signage, and emergency access procedures) in consultation with emergency management and the fire district.

The board’s decision resolves a long-running dispute between the two HOAs but leaves some neighbors displeased. Several speakers warned the outcome could be appealed to district court. The commissioners said they relied on the viewer’s report, statutory procedures and the fire chief’s access recommendation in crafting a compromise intended to balance neighborhood control with public safety.

The board adjourned the hearing after making the decision. Implementation steps—mapping the easement, drafting the vacation order, and recording documents—are to be prepared by county staff and brought back to the clerk for recording.