Commissioners deny petition to vacate section of Astronaut Drive after public hearing

The Laramie County Board of County Commissioners voted to deny a petition to vacate a 40‑foot section of Astronaut Drive following a public hearing that included testimony from the landowner and the applicant's surveying agent.

Molly Bennett of Laramie County Public Works summarized the viewer's report (Scott Larson designated as viewer) and recommended denial, saying the vacation would remove legal access to the immediately south and east properties. Landowner Mike Irvin testified that the county would have to take additional land and move utility poles for a future road to meet standards, stating, "I own the land ... it's, to the west ... they’ve taken 40 foot of my property for the road ... You would have to take an additional 40 foot to put the road in." Cotton Jones, agent for the applicant, described parcel ownership patterns and said constructing a county road to standard likely would require an additional 40 feet or condemnation; he suggested a possible temporary access easement along Story Boulevard.

County counsel and the viewer discussed record history; counsel cited a statute in Title 34 (property and conveyances) that generally directs vacated road underlying land to adjacent owners but noted deed history can alter outcomes. Scott Larson said he could not locate the original vacation petition though the plat references it. Commissioners expressed concern that prior vacations (McAllister) created the present constraints and that vacating more road could landlock parcels in the future. A motion to accept the viewer's report and deny the vacation carried on roll call (ayes recorded from Commissioners Holmes, Heath, Thompson, Maugham and Chairman Lovett).

The denial preserves county right of way and maintains existing legal access for adjacent property owners; staff and the viewer will remain available for any follow‑up regarding record history or easement alternatives.