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Star Valley Ranch council adopts zoning update, advances snow-gate funding and short-term rental rules, and backs county livestreaming
Summary
On Nov. 11 the council adopted Ordinance 2025-07 (zoning update), approved first readings for a $88,400 snow-gate budget amendment (Ordinance 2025-08) and short-term rental rules (Ordinance 2025-09, with one abstention), and adopted a resolution urging Lincoln County to livestream meetings.
The Star Valley Ranch Town Council took multiple formal actions at its Nov. 11 regular meeting, including adopting a zoning update, advancing two ordinances on first reading, approving the consent agenda and adopting a county livestreaming resolution.
Ordinance 2025-07, an update to Title XV Land Usage, Chapter 154 Zoning to specify additional commercial uses and refine conditional-use permitting, passed on its third and final reading after Councilman Ellis presented the measure and moved for approval; Councilman Merrill seconded and the vote was recorded as all ayes. Mayor Rok said the ordinance becomes effective 10 days after approval.
The council advanced two ordinances on first reading. Ordinance 2025-08, an appropriations amendment adding $88,400 to buy two snow gates for plows to reduce driveway berms, was presented by Councilman Bitter and passed the first reading on a motion seconded by Councilman Merrill; Mayor Rok said the funds will come from the road reserve fund. Ordinance 2025-09, revisions to Title XI Business Regulations Chapter 113 on short-term rentals, passed its first reading after public comment; Councilman Merrill abstained while other members voted aye.
During discussion of the short-term rental ordinance, residents raised enforcement and cap questions: Carolyn Thacker urged consideration of limits on the number of dwellings used for short-term rentals and noted Jackson may use zoning to restrict rentals to specific areas; Paul Bordwell and Boyd Siddoway described enforcement challenges and exterior appearance concerns, with Siddoway saying, "sometimes you can't identify B&B’s except when they have 6-8 cars or 3 large motor homes parked on the property." Mayor Rok said the council has consulted the town attorney and is monitoring court developments in related cases and expects language changes before the second reading to aid enforcement in municipal court.
Councilman Merrill read and the council adopted Resolution 25-11-11-005 recommending the Lincoln County Commission implement live streaming and recording of its public meetings to improve transparency for northern county residents. Merrill moved adoption, Councilman Toolson seconded, and the vote was unanimous.
The consent agenda (minutes, disbursements, Lincoln County Sheriff Dispatch Report) was approved on a single motion with all ayes.
Next steps: Ordinance 2025-07 will take effect 10 days after adoption; ordinances 2025-08 and 2025-09 will return for a second reading where additional language and enforcement clarifications will be considered; the adopted resolution will be forwarded to the county commission.
