Commissioners approve amended Witt's End farm‑stand site plan after debate over event parking and enforcement

The Laramie County Board of Commissioners on June 3 approved an amended site plan for Wit's End farm stand that limits the commercial site plan to the northern half of the parcel, adds conditions for turnaround and event parking, and retains enforcement tools for any unapproved commercial activity on the southern half.

Planning staff explained that the applicants seek to amend the previously approved site plan so that only the north side of the property—where the public actually accesses the farm stand—remains designated for commercial use. "We just would like to amend this site plan so that it better reflects where the public will actually be able to access their property," said Annalisa Miller, representing the applicant. Owner Sarah Lynette Witt told the board, "We still would like to utilize the South side of the arena as parking should we host another large event."

Several commissioners raised concerns that the amended exhibit removed most of the southern event parking, which could leave insufficient parking for large events. Commissioners debated three prior event‑parking options shown in earlier exhibits (including a 130‑space option). Planning staff and the county attorney discussed administrative options to consolidate exhibits and incorporate the relevant event‑parking diagram into the amended site plan if the board so directed.

Legal and enforcement clarity figured prominently. County Attorney Mark Voss told the board that departures from an approved site plan would be violations of land‑use regulations: "A violation of our land use regulations... is $750 per day," he said, referring to the civil penalty for continuing violations and noting additional health or tax consequences could apply.

The board considered and defeated an initial amendment, then adopted a clarified motion that explicitly incorporated event parking option 2 (130 spaces) and event parking option 1 (20 spaces) from the prior site plan exhibits as conditions of approval. The amended motion passed on roll call with a 4–1 vote (Commissioner Thompson opposed).

What the approval requires: The board's resolution adopts staff findings and approves the amended site plan with conditions, including relocating the hammerhead turnaround to the north half, requiring agency reviews and a commercial building permit for public areas, and specifying that commercial use of the southern portion would be a violation enforceable by county code. The action preserves the county's enforcement remedies should unpermitted commercial activities occur.

Next steps: The applicant must complete any required agency reviews, incorporate the specified event‑parking exhibit into the amended site plan as required, and obtain commercial building permits for any public‑facing structures or facilities.