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Etna residents oppose two large Etna‑area rezoning proposals; commissioners press for infrastructure studies
Summary
Residents and an Etna coalition told the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners they oppose two proposed rezonings — an Airstream RV dealership/seasonal luxury RV park and an 80‑acre Tanner Ranch master plan — citing water, septic, traffic, and rural‑character concerns. Planning staff and developers said DEQ and Chapter 23 studies are required before development proceeds.
About 50 residents and organized opponents told the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on June 2 that two major rezone and subdivision proposals near Etna would harm rural character, strain water and sewer capacity and increase traffic on Highway 89.
Planning Director Steve Johnson and developer representatives presented materials for two distinct projects: Better Days RV, dba Airstream of Wyoming (Files 602 PZ 21 and 103 PZ 21), described by applicant Dennis Decker as a phased, seasonal RV dealership and luxury RV park; and a Tanner Ranch phased master plan (Files 603 PZ 21 and 104 PZ 21), an 80‑acre development proposed to be built in multiple phases with central water and a shared leach field pending DEQ approval.
Opponents organized as the Etna Coalition presented a petition they said contained more than 800 signatures opposing the RV park and additional rezonings. Coalition members, including Mitch Knutson and Scott Henderson, told commissioners the projects would increase septic and wastewater risk, jeopardize groundwater and neighboring wells, add traffic and safety risk at nearby Highway 89 intersections, and undermine the community’s rural zoning goals.
Developer representatives and technical consultants—surveyor Marlowe Scherbel and engineer Dave Kennington—said required permitting and Chapter 23 studies (DEQ) must be completed before any central water or sewer systems are approved and that many engineering and permitting safeguards will be conditions of development. The developer, David Olsen, characterized Tanner Ranch as a response to an acute local housing shortage and said the project would be built in phases and include covenants and an HOA.
Commissioners and county staff repeatedly pressed for more definitive water, sewer and traffic data. County Engineer Amy Butler and Planning staff told the board that DEQ oversight and WYDOT permitting would be required for wastewater and highway access, respectively, and that some infrastructure costs would be borne by developers if projects proceed.
Planning and Zoning materials show differing recommendations: the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended denial on at least one of the larger proposals, while planning staff’s written materials included findings that would allow approval with conditions. During the meeting the board recorded motions and procedural votes on a range of planning files; commissioners also delayed and tabled certain items (see "Votes at a glance").
The board did not finalize comprehensive approvals or construction permits at the hearing; staff and applicants were repeatedly instructed to produce detailed DEQ and traffic study findings before further action. The Tanner Ranch files and the Better Days/Airstream material will return for further administrative review or appear on a future agenda if required.
Several residents asked the commission to preserve rural zoning and to require full, completed impact studies before any rezone or conditional use permit is granted. The commission indicated it would rely on the formal studies and regulatory findings required by state and county code before permitting construction.
The hearing included prolonged public comment and technical exchanges; after the planning discussion the board continued with other subdivision items and adjourned at 3:08 p.m.
