Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Outbuildings topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves zoning change to ease outbuilding rules, adds two residential zones
Summary
The county approved TA 26-01 to define and permit outbuildings on larger lots and added UR and UMR as conditional-use zones; the change creates a 5-acre minimum and a conditional-use review in several residential districts after public comment and debate over setbacks and lot shapes.
County commissioners approved a planning text amendment May 5 that creates a defined “outbuildings” use and allows those structures on larger lots after a conditional use review in several residential zones.
Planning staff described TA 26-01 as a response to property owners who could not build a shop, barn or enclosed structure without first building a residence. The amendment defines outbuildings as “storage of personal property within an enclosed structure for use by the property owner” and lists examples such as recreational vehicles, boats, farm equipment and livestock shelters. Under the plan, outbuildings would be permitted by right in RAM and UA zones on lots of at least 5 acres and allowed by conditional use permit (CUP) in MR1, MR2, RR and SR; commissioners voted to add UR and UMR to the CUP list with the same 5-acre minimum.
Sabrina, the county’s development/planning representative, told the board the proposal had been vetted by planning and zoning and that staff found roughly 40 parcels larger than 5 acres in the affected districts, about 25 of which currently lack residences and could benefit from the change. “We’ve found a solution for this issue which has been detrimental to property owners in unincorporated Natrona County,” she said.
During the hearing residents who live near Poplar and East End Road spoke in favor, saying a CUP process would allow property owners to keep tractors, trailers and family belongings out of the elements while still allowing neighbors to raise concerns. One public commenter urged care for smaller lots and for planners to preserve protections where density and neighboring impacts could be affected.
Board members debated a proposed 50-foot setback requirement; planning staff warned that a rigid 50-foot rule might be overly restrictive for irregularly shaped lots and pointed out the CUP process allows individualized scrutiny. After public comment and discussion, a commissioner moved to approve TA 26-01 with the addition of UR and UMR as conditional-use districts; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. The vote was recorded as a voice vote; an individual yes/no tally was not read into the record.
What happens next: the amendment creates a path for property owners on larger lots to seek outbuildings without first constructing a residence, but most projects in MR1/MR2/RR/SR/UR/UMR will still require review through the CUP process so neighbors and planning staff can assess impacts. The board’s approval directs planning staff to incorporate the changes into the zoning resolution.
