Star Valley Ranch council sets April 6 deadline for Mountain Estates annexation responses

The Star Valley Ranch Town Council on March 24 reviewed a draft letter to Bucklist LLC outlining town and citizen concerns about a proposed Mountain Estates annexation and unanimously set a deadline of April 6 by close of business for the developer to respond.

Councilman Toolson said the letter’s purpose is to document the town’s concerns in writing and give Bucklist LLC a comprehensive understanding of issues raised by residents and council members. Administrator Aitken said the approach mirrors a 2017 letter used in a prior Mountain Estates annexation effort and that residents had recommended the town ask detailed questions to aid decision-making.

Council discussion focused on the timeline and the level of detail the town expects in responses. Councilman Merrill asked whether the town wanted simple acknowledgments or detailed commitments on items such as septic systems and development bonds. Councilman Toolson and others said they wanted responses sufficient for the Planning Commission to consider before its April 8 meeting.

Toolson moved to set an April 6 response deadline; Merrill seconded the motion and council members voted unanimously in favor. The council also reviewed the draft annexation agreement and identified at least two substantial errors, with Mayor Pro Tem Ellis and others saying the agreement needs more detail and accountability. The council agreed to place the annexation agreement on the next workshop agenda to allow additional review and Planning Commission input before any formal action.

No formal annexation was approved at the work session; the deadline is intended to ensure materials are available to the Planning Commission and the council ahead of the scheduled public meeting on April 30.