Residents press council at Cheyenne hearing over proposed Cox Ranch annexation

Cheyenne — Residents packed the council chamber April 13 to oppose or seek clarifications about a landowner-petitioned annexation that would add roughly 1,259.91 acres west of Roundtop Road and adjacent to Happy Jack Road.

Mayor Patrick Collins opened the public hearing and Connor White of the Planning and Development Department said the petition, filed and certified Feb. 17, 2026, is an owner-initiated annexation. White said the area is largely vacant, includes a city-owned water treatment parcel, is about 5.26% contiguous to existing city limits and that staff will introduce a concurrent zoning map amendment and a future land-use map amendment in the coming weeks. He told the council the annexation was accompanied by required certified mailings and would be referred to the Public Services Committee Monday for the next step.

Residents who live near the proposed area said the plan does not fit the neighborhood. "There is a huge housing development just to the east. I am curious about the piece of land separating the two and why those property owners weren't advised of the intent," said Sam Galliotis, who represents property west and north of the site. Carter concerns ranged from traffic and nighttime light to the compatibility of a business park north of predominantly residential lands.

Several speakers asked whether the city would notify neighbors if a data center, solar farm or other commercial use later sought a site plan. "If you approve this annexation tonight, you are permanently locking the public out of the process," argued Charles Miller, a member of the public, noting that some future site plans can be reviewed administratively and do not require a new public hearing. Planning staff replied that certain uses are permitted by right under the zoning and that platting, creating lots or streets would return to the governing body; most site-plan-level reviews proceed administratively but are reviewed by multiple city departments.

Concerns about services and emergency response were raised. "Who's going to be the ultimate person to do the fire service?" Michael White asked; staff said the nearest county fire station is at Roundtop and Happy Jack and explained response-distance considerations. On notices, White said the city mailed property owners within 300 feet and that the earliest confirmed certified mailing receipts dated March 16, 2026.

A particular concern for landowners: access to and protection of a family mausoleum sited on a hill within the proposed annexation. Gay Woodhouse, appearing for Cox Ranches LLC, confirmed the mausoleum is on that parcel and said the family was not aware of the initial document name error and will seek protections as the process proceeds.

Council members pressed staff for timing and next steps. White said ordinances for annexation and assigned zoning would be introduced the same night, then referred to Public Services; the future land-use resolution will be introduced in two weeks so the sequence of hearings and readings aligns with statutory requirements. Mayor Collins closed the hearing, said the Public Services Committee will meet next Monday at noon to begin deliberations, and noted the council will take formal votes in the weeks that follow.

What happens next: The annexation and associated ordinances will go to the Public Services Committee for discussion the following Monday; the governing body will hold subsequent readings, and final council votes are scheduled in the coming weeks.