Planning commission backs UDC text amendments, strips proposed wall-area and bollard definitions

The Laramie Planning Commission voted to recommend that City Council approve a package of text amendments to the Unified Development Code, but the commission removed a proposed definition of “wall area” used for sign sizing and struck a proposed bollard/enclosure definition after extended discussion.

Staff told the commission the annual package bundles routine corrections and clarifications to the Laramie Municipal Code so the city can correct typos and clarify ambiguous language in one action. "This text amendment is meant to make the code more clear," staff said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the amendments touch on several rules that affect homeowners, small businesses and developers. Key changes discussed included clarifying how much floor area a home occupation may use (including accessory structures), adding a definition for wall area that would determine sign size, aligning planned-unit-development procedures with current practice, allowing townhouses to be built across lot lines, and fixing a typo in trash‑enclosure bollard specifications.

During debate, staff explained the home-occupation change would explicitly count accessory structures — "essentially includ[ing] the accessory structure in that total size" — so the combined area of principal dwelling and accessory structures cannot exceed one-half the dwelling's floor area. Commissioners questioned whether that could restrict legitimate home businesses that use a barn or garage larger than the residence; staff pointed to variance procedures and said the intent is to preserve residential character and limit off‑site impacts such as signage and parking.

The proposed wall-area definition prompted extensive questions about how to measure projecting features, canopies and windows. Commissioner Jake argued a diagram would help: "a little picture with a few little windows and maybe a canopy ... might be more beneficial than trying to really get the text fine‑tuned," he said. Other commissioners warned the phrase "outside edge to outside edge" could be litigated or misread to expand allowable sign area.

On trash-enclosure bollards, staff said the original text contained a typographical error and explained the intent: "the intent is to have the 6‑foot bollard buried a minimum of 2 feet in the ground, so we have 4 feet of bollard above ground," staff said. Commissioners discussed whether to replace prescriptive dimensions with a reference to the International Building Code; that insertion motion was later withdrawn.

How the commission amended the proposal: members voted to strike substantive change number 2 (the proposed wall‑area definition) and later struck the proposed definition 15.14.050.i.2 for trash-enclosure bollards/enclosures rather than leave unclear or conflicting language in the UDC. After those amendments, the commission voted by voice to recommend City Council approve the code updates as amended.

Next steps: the recommendation will go to Laramie City Council for consideration at a future meeting; staff said the council also will review related materials and that a council work session on the comprehensive‑plan update is scheduled for 6 p.m. tomorrow in council chambers. The commission adjourned after taking action.

Speakers quoted in this report are identified in the meeting transcript by their remarks and include staff, Chair Moshe Terriers and commissioners. The commission also welcomed new member Kendra Bull, who introduced herself at the start of the meeting.