Court-ordered remand: commissioners approve Buenavista preliminary plat with P&Z conditions

The board considered a district court order that remanded the Buenavista major-subdivision preliminary plat back to the board with directions to approve the plat consistent with statute and with Planning & Zoning Commission recommendations. The court found the board’s earlier denial inconsistent with applicable law concerning a prior affidavit and directed approval subject to P&Z-recommended conditions.

During public comment, nearby residents asked whether a hydrogeological study had been completed to assess whether the aquifer could support additional wells and how the district court order affects neighbors' recourse. Staff said the court explicitly remanded "with direction to approve the major subdivision preliminary plat for Buenavista subdivision with the conditions recommended by the Park County Planning and Zoning Commission," and that the applicant has met the other technical requirements in the staff report. The board and county attorney explained the board was following the court order and that the public hearing was held to confirm P&Z conditions and to accept public input.

Concerns about groundwater and future wells were raised by residents, and staff pointed to the Wyoming State Engineer’s Office as the permitting authority for new wells or well permits. Commissioners amended staff-recommended language slightly (removing a condition already met and changing some 'prior to preliminary' items to 'prior to final') and approved the preliminary plat as directed by the court.