Commission forwards Allendale Addition replat after heated public comment on drainage and commercial use

The Natrona County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to forward MS26‑01, the Allendale Addition vacation and replat, to the Board of County Commissioners after a lengthy public hearing that drew dozens of neighbors and focused on drainage, groundwater concerns and potential future commercial uses.

Applicants Mark and Missy Van Horn proposed vacating and re‑platting roughly 10.65 acres of small, older lots into four larger parcels. Staff recommended a 'due‑pass' to the BOCC after reviewing maps, access and utilities and receiving a drainage study; staff noted the property is planned to connect to City of Casper water and sewer and that prior questions about access and platting had been researched. Several county reviewers asked for and received a drainage study, and county engineering staff reviewed the report.

Opposition testimony was substantial and repeated across many speakers. Neighbors said recent grading had altered historic drainage patterns and that local basements and low spots have flooded in past heavy rains. Residents urged caution about a proposed detention basin and the effect of any new sewer/water connections on groundwater levels and sump‑pump reliance. Several speakers explicitly opposed any storage‑unit development on a commercial lot within the replat, citing concerns about traffic, property values and crime.

Engineer Bill Faringer, who delivered the drainage study, told the commission that surface runoff in the area flows northwest and that a small detention basin in the proposed northwest corner (lot four) would collect runoff temporarily and release it at historic rates via an outlet structure. County reviewers said the drainage study addresses surface runoff (stormwater) and that a properly designed detention basin is intended to slow and release runoff, not permanently retain it; they stated that, in their view, a detention basin would not materially increase groundwater if sized and constructed per the study.

Applicants acknowledged neighbors' concerns and said they would work on easements and access. Mark Van Horn disputed claims that grading on his property caused flooding to neighboring yards and said he had smoothed an existing drainage channel rather than obstructing it. He told the commission he plans to build two residential lots and keep a commercial lot for future use; he confirmed the commercial lot concept was discussed publicly and that specific site plans would be reviewed in a separate permitting process.

Commissioners acknowledged strong community concerns but said the application met criteria for a replat under county regulations and that replatting many small legacy lots into larger lots can reduce future density. After discussion, the commission voted to forward the replat to the BOCC with staff findings for further review; commissioners noted conditions and engineering details will be handled through permitting and the BOCC review.

Neighbors were advised to bring technical drainage or groundwater data to the BOCC hearing and to watch for permit applications tied to any future development on the proposed commercial lot.