Commission recommends River Run rezoning to suburban residential, forwards to county commissioners

The Natrona County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of ZC26-01, a request by Gary Ferguson to rezone tracts 1–7 of the Riverrun Major Land Division (roughly 69 acres) from urban agriculture to suburban residential.

Sabrina Kemper, Natrona County development director, told commissioners the application met the approval criteria in the county's 2022 zoning resolution and that agency reviews flagged two planning items: potential access difficulties on Robertson Road and a County Health recommendation to require properties within 300 feet to tie into sewer or seek an exemption. "Staff does find this application to be complete and in compliance with a zone change requirements per our 2022 zoning resolution, and we do recommend that you pass," Kemper said.

Applicant Gary Ferguson described the project as a lower-density follow-up to prior River Park development and said his preference is to preserve an open-space corridor. "My preference is to do something that allows a corridor to have open space," Ferguson said, while noting that urban-ag minimum lots are 10 acres and suburban residential allows 2-acre lots; he told the commission he does not anticipate lots under about 3'3.5 acres in the eastern section.

A letter of opposition raised concerns about compatibility with neighborhood character, street and manhole conditions, lack of sidewalks and a drainage feature; staff said the drainage in question appears to be a ditch and that the City of Casper requested that construction in the city's growth boundary be built to city standards and that annexation could be required if the developer seeks city utilities.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend approval to the Board of County Commissioners with staff findings incorporated; the motion passed unanimously. The commission set the county hearing for Sept. 1.