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Sweetwater County OKs rezoning to allow Laios Gravel Pit expansion to about 160 acres
Summary
The county approved a zoning map amendment to reclassify roughly 160 acres from Agricultural to Mineral Development (MD-1), clearing the way for Laios Gravel Pit to expand; Planning & Zoning had recommended approval 4–0 and commissioners voted unanimously.
Sweetwater County commissioners on Aug. 19 voted unanimously to amend the county zoning map to allow an expansion of the Laios Gravel Pit.
County planner Cassidy Brown told the board that the existing quarry is about 40 acres — the maximum gravel quarry size allowed in Agricultural zoning — and the applicant seeks to rezone about 160 acres to MD-1 so the pit can expand and pursue an improved mining permit. Brown said surrounding parcels already include MD-1 and that staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 4–0.
Commissioner Tillman raised concerns from local livestock operators about cattle accessing gravel pits and suggested fencing. An online representative for the applicant said Wyoming Game and Fish had strongly recommended against permanent fencing in a pronghorn migration corridor but agreed the applicant would include electric fencing as part of reclamation and in the mine permit process.
The board closed the public hearing after hearing no in-person comments, then moved and seconded the resolution to rezone the parcel. Commissioners approved the amendment unanimously, and staff said the mining permit process will address operational details, reclamation, and any conditions related to wildlife and fencing.
The rezoning allows the company to apply for the larger mining permit required for the expanded pit; Rocky Mountain Power had flagged a transmission line crossing the southeast portion of the area but the applicant indicated contact and internal standards for working near lines.
The board’s approval aligns the parcel’s zoning with nearby MD-1 parcels and was presented to the county with a staff recommendation and a 4–0 Planning & Zoning endorsement.
