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Sheridan County agrees to expedite WYDOT communications-tower CUP, aims for Oct. 7 public hearing
Summary
Sheridan County directed staff to pre-advertise a public hearing for a WYDOT conditional use permit at the Sheridan port of entry so WYDOT can proceed before the Kearns Wildlife Refuge closes Nov. 16; staff noted a foundation building permit is already issued and warned pre-advertising could be wasted if Planning Commission tables the item.
Sheridan County commissioners agreed to direct staff to pre-advertise a public hearing for a Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) conditional use permit (CUP) for a communications tower at the Sheridan port of entry, accelerating WYDOT's review so construction can proceed before the Kearns Wildlife Refuge seasonal closure.
Mark Reed, County Planner, told commissioners the ordinary schedule would place the item before the Planning Commission on Oct. 2 with board consideration on Nov. 5. "Their request is to get it on your October 7 agenda, if possible," Reed said, and asked for direction to pre-advertise the Oct. 7 hearing. He also said WYDOT has obtained a building permit for the tower foundation and could complete foundation work before cold weather sets in if the CUP is approved.
The chair and commissioners emphasized public-safety benefits identified by the sheriff's office: filling radio coverage "holes and gaps" in canyon areas and improving communications for emergency responders. Sheriff Levi Dominguez said the towers target coverage gaps in areas such as Pass Creek and Littlehorn Canyon and cited past pursuit communications problems in Wild Lake as an example of the need for improved infrastructure.
Staff warned that pre-advertising ahead of the Planning Commission hearing carries a risk: if the Planning Commission tables the item, the county may have incurred unnecessary advertising expense. Commissioners acknowledged that risk and approved proceeding with pre-advertising so WYDOT can meet its seasonal construction window. The chair and staff said any public hearing will include opportunity for public comment once noticed.
No formal roll-call vote on the CUP pre-advertising is recorded in the transcript; the record shows commissioners concurred with staff direction during the staff meeting.
