Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon. Welcome to today's planning commission. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, good afternoon. Are we ready to begin or do you guys need a moment to organize?

I believe that they are writing in some extras on the motions. Okay. But I think we can start.

Okay. The motions will be fine for today. They will be changed slightly for the VOCC.

Okay. All right. Thank you.

The motions as written today are fine.

Okay.

Yeah.

Thank you. All right. With that, is it possible to have our roll taken, please?

Commissioner Stottle?

Yes.

Commissioner Tafoya?

Present.

Commissioner Casey? Commissioner, excuse me, is it Leavitt or Leavitt? Leavitt. Leavitt.

Here.

And Chairman Coye?

Here, thank you. Sunny, you want to start us off with the first item for today? Second item?

First agenda item is consideration of the minutes of proceedings for August 13th, 2026.

I make a motion we adopt.

It's been moved. A motion, is there a second? Second. Motion and second by, Tafoya got them first, if you want to catch that. So Tafoya's got the second, Stottle's got the first. Any discussion? Hearing none, will we have the vote taken, please?

Commissioner Stottle?

Yes.

Commissioner Tafoya?

Aye.

And then Commissioner Leavitt?

Yes.

And Chairman Coy?

Yes.

And we're ready for the second item when you're ready, Sunny.

The second item is a review and recommendation regarding the amendment to the 2025 Laramie County Land Use Regulations under Title I, Planning Commission Appeal Processes.

Commissioners Coy and members of the Commission, Kate Cundall, Associate Planner on behalf of Justin Arnold. Laramie County Planning and Development, in accordance with Wyoming State Statute, hereby wishes to amend the 2025 Laramie County Land Use Regulations based upon additional public feedback to add language concerning the Planning Commission appeal process. Adoption, amendment, or repeal of any regulation must occur under the rulemaking requirements of Wyoming State Statute 16-3-103. A 45-day notice period and opportunity for public input has been given and no public comments were received. The attached Exhibit A reflects the proposed amendments to the 2025 Laramie County Land Use Regulations. And if you have any questions, I will stand for questions.

Any questions from the Planning Commission?

None from me. No.

Kate, I don't believe we have any questions.

Okay, we will have a public hearing on this proposal then.

Okay, so you've completed your staff report?

Yeah, my staff report is completed.

All right, thank you. We'll open a public hearing for this item. This is a public hearing. If there's anyone in the audience who would like to address the commission on this proposal, we invite you to come forward and address the commission. We ask that you speak into the microphone and state your name and address, and we also ask that you keep your comments to four minutes or less so that we have an opportunity to hear everyone. If you're watching virtually... and would like to make comments during the public hearing portion of this meeting, please comment online. IT, is there anyone online?

The only person online is Director Arnold.

Welcome, Director Arnold. Anybody in this room for this item want to make public comment? Any public comment? No public comment on this item. We will close the public comment period and look for a motion and discussion.

I move to certify the recommendation of the amendments of the 2025 Laramie County Land Use Regulations, Title I, Planning Commission Appeal Process, attached here to as exhibit A, to the Laramie County Board of Commissioners.

It's been moved. Is there a second? Second. Moved and second by Mr. Leavitt. Any discussion? No discussion? Sunny will take the roll when you're, vote when you're ready.

Commissioner Stottle?

Yes.

Commissioner Tafoya?

Aye.

Commissioner Leavitt?

Yes.

Chairman Coy?

Yes. That item passes.

Agenda item number three is the Warner Circle zone change. Review and action on a zone change from URLD urban residential low density to MU mixed use for the Winter Circle dog boarding facility located at lots 1 and 2, block 1, Tatum subdivision, Laramie County, Wyoming. Landowners Michael and Dori Mata have submitted a zone change application for the above-mentioned parcel of land. The purpose of the application is to seek approval to change the current URLD, Urban Residential Low Density Zone District, to MU, Mixed Use Zone District, to allow for the operation of the Winter Circle Dog Boarding Facility, with the current residents to remain. Upon approval of the zone change request, a submittal of a site plan application will be required for the proposed commercial operation. The subject property is 0.57 acres, currently zoned URLD, surrounded by URLD and CB community business. Pertinent regulations include section 2-1-103 of the 2025 Laramie County land use regulations governing the criteria for a zone map amendment. Section 2-4-110 of the 2025 Laramie County land use regulations governing the MU mixed use zone district. And with that, I'll stand for any questions for the applicant.

Planning Commission, do you have any questions for the applicant? I understand the applicant's not in the room today because of a medical family emergency. So any questions for Sonny in representation? None. If you want to go forward with your staff report, please.

The Laramie County Comprehensive Plan designates this area as URI, Urban Rural Interface, intended to accommodate a mix of more intensive land uses than other areas. These areas may have public water and sewer services, a higher level of vehicular access, and a greater overall... level of community services. Plan Cheyenne designates this area as MUC, mixed use commercial emphasis category, encompassing existing and future developments, many of which align with activity centers. This category includes a wide variety of land uses and activities focused primarily on commercial activities, but also including other employment, public, and residential uses. While many existing mixed-use commercial offices areas do not currently integrate residential uses, as they redevelop and change over time, residential units may be incorporated to add more activity to these areas. The proposed action complies with both plans. These properties are part of the South Cheyenne Water Sewer District. All agency review comments have been addressed accordingly. Public notice was provided and we received no public comments on this project. Section 2-1-103E states that prior to making a recommendation to county commissioners about any zoning map amendment, the Planning Commission is required to find, one, the zone change request supports and upholds the safety and health of the community, and that it endorses the general welfare of the inhabitants of Laramie County, and that one of the following two is also determined and declared to be finding. A. The existing zoning classification of the land does not fit the overall development pattern of the area or B. There have been changes of the physical, economic, or social nature within the area which have prompted the request and which enable the zone change to better meet community needs. Criteria I and B are met by the type of action proposed and by meeting all of planning's application criteria. Based on evidence provided, staff recommends that A, this application does meet the criteria for a zone map amendment pursuant to Section 2-1-103 of the Laramie County Land Use Regulations. B, the proposed change in zone district is in conformance with requirements of Sections 2-4-111 of the Laramie County Land Use Regulations. And that the Planning Commission may recommend approval of a zone change from U.R. RLD, Urban Residential Low Density, to MU, Mixed Use for Winter Circle Dog Boarding Facility, as shown on the attached Exhibit A Zone Change Map, located at Lots 1 and 2, Block 1, Tatum Subdivision, Laramie County, Wyoming, with no conditions. And with that, I stand for any questions.

Any questions from the Planning Board?

Yes, Commissioner. This is already a dog boarding facility now. They're just expanding it, correct?

Chairman Coy, through you, no. They're actually in the process. This is just a residence right now. They're in the process of going to be building, I believe it's a 24 by 24 small detached accessory facility for maybe six kennels.

Okay. Any other questions for staff? With that, we'll open up the public hearing for this item. If there's anyone in the audience who would like to address the commission on this proposal, we invite you to come forward and address the commission. We ask that you speak into the microphone and state your name and address. We also ask that you keep your comments to four minutes or less so we have an opportunity to hear from everyone. If you are watching virtually and would like to make comments during the public hearing portion of this meeting, please comment online. IT, is there anybody online?

There's no one online. Let's just make a comment at this time. Mr. Chairman.

We will close the online comment period. Anybody in the audience for public comment on this item? Anybody in the audience for this item? Anybody in the audience for this item? With that, we will close the public hearing for this item and look for a motion and discussion.

I move to recommend approval of zone change from URLD, urban residential low density, to MU, mixed use. Move that a little closer for you.

Sorry. That's all right.

The winter circle dog boarding facility shown on the attached exhibit A zone change map located at lots 1 and 2, block 1, Tatum subdivision, Laramie County, Wyoming, to the Laramie County Board of Commissioners and adopt the findings of facts A and B of the staff report with no conditions.

It's been moved. Is there a second? Second. Moved and second. Any discussion? No discussion. If you would call for the vote, please, Sonny.

Commissioner Stottle?

Yes.

Commissioner Tafoya?

Aye.

Commissioner Levin?

Yes.

Chairman Coy?

Yes. And when you're ready, the next item.

Item number four is a review and action on a class B conditional use permit for the Project Tembo Hub 1 office support facility located in tracks one and two, Cold Creek Buffalo Company, subdivision Laramie County, Wyoming. Chairman Coy, Commission Members, Sonny Porcio, Associate Planner, Laramie County Planning and Development. HDR Engineering Incorporated, on behalf of Jupiter Star Holdings LLC, has submitted an application for approval of a Class B conditional use permit to allow for the construction of the Hub 1 office support facility, which will consist of developing approximately 32.83 acres for the Hub 1 facility and associated parking for Project Tembo Data Center. Project Tembo is considered an allowable use for the remaining site. However, Hub 1 is not part of the original PUD planned unit development zoning. Therefore, this action requires a Class B conditional use permit to approve the use. The subject property is in the LU Zone District. The parcel consists of 32.83 acres of vacant rural residential land. The surrounding area is residential or agricultural land. Pertinent regulations include section 2-3-102D2 governing the conditional use type B permitting process, section 2-4-104 governing the LU land use zone district, section 1-3-100 governing public notice. And with that, I'd like to invite up Eric Murray for the project to answer any of your questions.

Thank you, Sunny. Good afternoon. My name's Eric Murray, and I'm with Google representing Jupiter Star Holdings, our wholly owned subsidiary. First, let me just say, very much a privilege, and thank you all for the time today. We've had a tremendous couple days here in the area, and I'm not sure if folks had a chance to visit with us last night during the community meeting, but we're just absolutely thrilled to be here. With that, I'm happy to answer any questions. But as Sonny pointed out, the area of Section 4 in Laramie County, we're proposing for our security entrance, our hub, what we call our office building. This is for our employees to have a place to relax, have office meetings. It's also where we're going to have our culinary facilities for breakfast, lunch, dinner, et cetera, and for a parking lot. And I'm happy to answer any questions.

Eric, just a technicality, would you also give us your address, please? Sure. Just for the record, thanks.

Sure.

Or business address.

Sure. I'm a 655 New York Ave., Washington, D.C. All right.

Thank you. Any questions for the applicant? Thank you. We'll appreciate that. And stand by in case anything else comes up. But appreciate it. Thank you very much. Ms. Portia, do you want to go through the rest of your staff report?

Chairman Coy, Commission Members, Sunnyport Show, Laramie County Planning and Development. The Laramie County Comprehensive Plan identifies the area as Ag and Rage Land, or AGR, and Gateway Corridors, or GC. AGR anticipates these areas to be far removed from the providers of public services and have relatively lower levels of road access. Some areas with existing development may be appropriate for expansion, identified as rural centers. Gateway Corridors and the county and its communities help establish a first impression about the quality and... character of each area. These gateways typically include highway-oriented development and high-quality development. Appropriate uses may include a mix of commercial, industrial, office, and public facilities. Plan Cheyenne considers this area to be agricultural, rural, or AR and is considered an area for current and future agricultural activities and is not intended to be a place for widespread future development. However, Support services typically for agricultural related businesses are considered appropriate. Wind energy generation and other energy production facilities may be appropriate but should be located away from the urban area. Agency review comments have been addressed for this process. Public notice was provided and public comments were not received regarding the conditional use permit. A conditional use is given to land use meant to be beneficial to the permitted uses or those similar within a zoning district with conditions, or it requires conditions to mitigate impacts it may have on the surrounding area. Land use or land use proposed similar in nature, intensity, and community impact, which requires a conditional use permit, has probable impacts and is required to meet all LCLUR conditions. It was determined that a Class B conditional use permit would be required and upon approval, a simple site plan. Class B conditional uses are those meant to be beneficial to an area and are permissible in their zoning district. Section 2-3-102A of the Laramie County Land Use Regulations requires that the Laramie County Planning Commission find that the proposed use is permitted and is in conformance with all applicable developmental standards. Staff find this application is in conformance with the plans and policies of Laramie County. Based on evidence provided, staff finds that A, this application meets the criteria for a Class B conditional use permit pursuant to Section 2-3-102 of the 2025 Laramie County Land Use Regulations. And B, this application is in conformance with Sections 2-4-104 of the 2025 Laramie County Land Use Regulations governing the LU Land Use Zone District. And that the Planning Commission may approve the Class B conditional use permit for the Project Temple Hub 1 office support facility with no conditions. And with that, I stand for any questions.

Any questions for staff? All right, with no questions, we'll open this item up for public comment. If there's anyone in the audience who would like to address the commission on this proposal, we invite you to come forward and address the commission. We ask that you speak in the microphone and state your name and address. We also ask that you keep your comments to five minutes or less so that everyone has an opportunity to hear. So we have everyone have an opportunity to hear from everyone. If you are watching virtually and would like to make comments during public hearing portion of this meeting, please comment online. With that, is there any public comment online, IT?

Not at this time, Mr. Chair.

All right, we'll close the online portion and open the item up for public comment from the room. Is there anybody in the room that would like to make public comment on this item? Anybody in the room for public comment? And anybody in the room for public comment? With that, we'll close the public comment period for this item and look for a motion and discussion.

I move to approve the Class B conditional use permit for the Project Tembo Hub 1 office support facility and adopt the findings of Facts A and B of the staff report with no conditions.

It's been moved. Is there a second? Second. It's been moved and seconded by Mr. Stottle. Any discussion? No discussion. May you call for the vote? Sunny?

Commissioner Stottle?

Yes.

Commissioner Tafoya?

Aye.

Commissioner Leavitt?

Yes.

Chairman Coye?

yes i just have one last item that's not on the agenda i want to thank kate who has given her notice that she is retiring and moving out of the state. But Kate, for the last three years for us, or at least for four years with us, thank you for leading our meetings with integrity through a lot of very controversial meetings, but also just providing us the guidance that we needed to run this board efficiently. So thank you for that. You'll be missed. With that, anybody else have anything? We will close today's public hearing meeting.