Commission recommends conditional‑use approval for Wild Horse Ranch with floodplain and conservation conditions

The Albany County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended on June 10, 2026 that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Wild Horse Ranch Property Owners Association conditional‑use application (CU‑01‑26) subject to additional conditions addressing floodplain siting, land and water quality and wildlife protections.

Planning Director David Gertsch presented the staff report. Earlier in the meeting Commissioner Maselli recused herself from consideration of CU‑01‑26 because of a conflict of interest; because a quorum was lacking the commission postponed the item and returned to it later when a quorum was established. Commissioners and the applicant asked questions of staff and the applicant before the public hearing was opened and — with no public comments — closed by motion.

Commissioner O’Brien moved and Commissioner Ben‑David seconded a motion to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners approve CU‑01‑26, adopting the staff analysis, findings of fact and conclusions of law, with the following additional conditions: (a) documentation that the building and wastewater system will be built/installed outside of the floodplain; (b) any development activities should be done outside of the floodplain; (c) the Laramie Rivers Conservation District’s recommendations regarding land quality and water quality shall be followed; and (d) the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s recommendations regarding fish and wildlife shall be followed, if any. The motion carried unanimously among the commissioners voting (Commissioner Maselli did not participate because of the recusal).