Developers press Cheyenne to revert easement language; committee amends Scenic Development plat

The committee on Dec. 15 considered the Scenic Development Seventh Filing final plat and voted to forward the item to the full City Council after approving an amendment to revert pedestrian‑easement language to staff’s original, more-flexible phrasing.

Planning staff said the plat accompanies a recent annexation and rezoning to NR‑3 and recommended an exception to block size along with an internal pedestrian access easement that would be provided with future development. At planning commission, members expanded the note to require pedestrian easements extending to the north, south, east and west boundaries; staff said its original approach left flexibility for final placement once site plans exist.

Kelly Hafner, agent for the applicant, asked the committee to remove pedestrian easements from the plat or to revert to staff’s original condition, arguing the development is intended as a campus‑style project and that internal pedestrian greenways are not planned. Jaden Smith of Wasatch Development Group said an east–west cross‑access easement could complicate review for affordable housing and light‑tax‑credit bond financing, calling the easements “unnecessary hardship.”

Councilman White moved an amendment to revert to staff’s original recommendation on easements; after a second the amendment passed by voice vote. With the amendment adopted, the committee voted to forward the plat (with exceptions, acknowledgments and staff conditions) to the Council for final action.

Staff and planning commission remain on record: planning commission had recommended easements in all cardinal directions to address pedestrian circulation; staff said their original phrasing — providing internal pedestrian/access easements with future development — gives more flexibility during later replats and site planning.