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Planning commission approves AMEC overlay lot‑size variance for Jorns property
Summary
The Laramie County Planning Commission voted March 26 to approve a variance allowing the 25.4‑acre Jorns parcel to be split into three residential tracts with 5.25‑acre lots, citing soil data and proximity to the AMEC Zone 1/Zone 2 interface; the decision was recommended to reflect similar nearby lot sizes and to allow future county code amendments.
The Laramie County Planning Commission on March 26 approved a variance to allow smaller residential lots on property owned by Drake and Tamara Jorns at 1902 Road 154, authorizing future division of the 25.4‑acre parcel into three tracts of 5.25 acres each.
Associate planner Kate Kundell presented staff’s report, saying the applicant submitted NRCS soil data, that existing public roads provide adequate access, and that the parcel sits adjacent to the interface between AMEC Zone 1 and Zone 2 — a factor staff cited in recommending flexibility on the minimum lot size. "Initial discussion with the Board of County Commissioners indicate their agreement with approving AMEC overlay variance request for parcels located within 1 mile of an interface between zones to be codified through a future amendment," the staff report said.
Applicant Drake Jorns identified himself to the commission and said he was available to answer questions. Commissioners discussed the risk that flexible decisions near zone boundaries could create precedents and the need for a buffer or clearer demarcation. "I feel okay about approving that the way it is," one commissioner said during deliberations.
After discussion about soil percolation testing and whether future amendments should codify a 1‑mile buffer, Commissioner Watkins moved to approve the variance and the motion passed on a roll call vote with Commissioners Stottle, Tafoya, Watkins, Casey and Chairman Coy recorded in the affirmative.
The approval implements staff’s findings under the Laramie County Land Use Regulations and does not itself change county code; staff noted the county is pursuing a regulation amendment process that could create specific interface rules that would apply more broadly.
