Planning commission recommends rezoning two parcels near East Carlson and Converse to community business ahead of Cheyenne annexation

The Laramie County Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of a zone change that would reclassify two parcels—Track 2 of the Windco (Winco) Subdivision and a 1.83-acre remainder parcel— from A-1 (agricultural/rural residential) to CB (community business) to align with planned annexation by the City of Cheyenne.

Justin Arnold, Laramie County planning staff, told the commission the change would bring the parcels into conformance with both the county comprehensive plan’s Urban Rural Interface guidance and the City of Cheyenne’s Mixed Use Commercial future land-use designation. "Based on evidence provided, staff recommends the Planning Commission find that this application does meet the criteria for a map amendment pursuant to the Laramie County Land Use Regulation," Arnold said.

Shane Hansen of Stiles Surveying Services, the applicant’s agent, said he had omitted Track 2 from the prior submittal and explained the intent: "We're gonna annex both those parcels into the city, change them to CBs when they come into the city," he said, adding that the rezoning in county review would ease the transition prior to final annexation.

Seth Lloyd, with the City of Cheyenne Planning and Development Department, told the commission that city staff view the proposal as conforming to city plans and would likely support the rezoning, but cautioned against the county routinely making final decisions on parcels that will rely on city services. "I do grow a little bit concerned about the county basically making decisions for a city parcel," Lloyd said, urging intergovernmental coordination.

After brief discussion acknowledging Lloyd’s concern and noting that city-county boundary pockets will likely generate similar requests, Commissioner members moved and seconded a motion to recommend approval, adopt staff findings A and B from the staff report, and forward the recommendation to the Laramie County Board of County Commissioners. The motion passed by unanimous roll-call vote (Commissioners Stottle, Gasper, Watkins and Chairman Coy recorded 'Yes').

The Planning Commission’s action is a recommendation; final zoning authority rests with the Laramie County Board of County Commissioners (and, post-annexation, the City of Cheyenne). The county staff noted public notice was distributed and no written comments were received.