Albany County’s Planning & Zoning Commission spent the largest portion of its meeting reviewing a draft intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Laramie intended to implement the Laramie Growth Area Plan. Staff described the IGA as a framework that would let the growth plan guide zoning and subdivision decisions, define the growth area, and set standards for right‑of‑way dedication and municipal‑service coordination.

Commissioners expressed concern the IGA, as drafted, was too narrowly focused on roads and municipal utilities and lacked explicit protections or commitments for open space, schools, parks and aquifer protection. Several commissioners said they wanted clearer language obligating the city to extend water and sewer to development that the county would require to be served — or at least a more explicit criteria by which the city would decline to extend services.

Planner presentation: “The agreement allows use of the growth plan as guidance for zoning and subdivision decisions. It defines the growth area and provides communication standards between the county and the city,” staff said, summarizing the IGA’s major provisions.

Key suggested changes included: replacing language that ties mandatory connections to the city boundary with language tied to adjacency or proximity to city utilities (so properties near existing infrastructure are covered), and broadening the service‑extension language so it can apply to individual landowners or existing subdivisions in need of sewer or water (not just new subdividers). Commissioners also asked staff to insert clearer criteria for when the city may reasonably refuse an extension (capacity, public‑health limits, or engineering constraints) so the county would not be left without recourse.

After extended discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend the IGA to the Board of County Commissioners with the proposed amendments; the commission voted in favor and staff said it would consolidate commissioners’ written comments and submit them to county leadership and the city. Staff indicated the county would pursue corresponding zoning and subdivision regulation changes to implement the plan regardless of the IGA’s final wording.

Commissioners asked to provide written comments to staff by Jan. 23 so staff could condense and forward consolidated recommendations to the city and the Board. The commission’s action was advisory; the Board of County Commissioners and the City of Laramie must finalize any IGA text and determine implementation and enforcement measures.