At its Dec. 2, 2025 meeting, the Albany County Board of County Commissioners voted to grant a variance from the county planning and subdivision resolution and approved the New Life Subdivision preliminary and final plat application SD-02-25, allowing the applicant to divide an approximately 31.5‑acre parcel into two lots.

Planning staff presented the proposal, saying, "The applicant is Matt Bongarner. The owner is the New Life Church. This is located at, 32296 Highway 30." Staff described the request as a two‑lot subdivision falling under minor subdivision standards and recommended approval of both the variance and the plat after technical review. Staff stated that water for each lot is proposed to be provided by individual wells and that septic will be individual systems; "Proposed lot 2 already has a system." Power service was identified as provided by Carbon Power and fire protection by Albany County Fire District 1. Staff also summarized external reviews from the Laramie Rivers Conservation District (noting concerns about soil erosion and invasive species), the Wyoming Department of Transportation (YDOT) on right‑of‑way and access, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department on floodplain, fencing and noxious weeds; staff said the comments were available in the review section of the record.

Staff explained the variance request is from Albany County Planning Subdivision Resolution, chapter 5 section 2(b)(4), which "requires the subdivider to create written and recorded covenants or other instruments creating an entity binding on subsequent owners of land within the subdivision." According to staff, the applicant requested the variance based on the absence of common features, lack of need for covenants, avoidance of undue hardship, and minimal deviation from intent and public interest.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the parcel sizes; staff confirmed the split was roughly 19.5 acres and 12 acres. After discussion, the board voted to approve the variance, then voted to approve the preliminary and final plat SD-02-25 "adopting and incorporating the staff analysis, findings of fact, and conclusion of law as each are stated" in the staff report. The meeting record shows the motions were seconded and the board voice‑voted in favor (recorded responses "Aye" and the stated result "Motion carries").

The approvals allow the applicant to proceed with required final documents and any outstanding engineering corrections noted in the staff review. The record does not show any in‑meeting public opposition or additional conditions beyond staff recommendations; outstanding engineering comments were noted as addressed or to be addressed in final plans.