Cheyenne City Council Meeting - February 27, 2023

The City Council met on February 27, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, two public hearings, several ordinance readings, and resolutions. Key topics included a contested zone change for a proposed high-density residential development, amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) enforcement, and a new prescription drug assistance program for city employees. The meeting lasted several hours with significant public testimony.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the regular meeting on February 13, 2023, and special meeting on February 16, 2023, were approved.
• Item 23F (Professional Services Contract for Board of Adjustment) and Item 23C (Memorandum of Understanding with Arts Cheyenne) were removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion. All other consent items (Items 15–20, 23a, 23b, 23d, 23e, 23g, 23i, 23j, 23k, 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 25a) were approved en bloc.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Liquor License Renewals (Item 7a): City Clerk reported excellent compliance; no public testimony offered.
• Annexation Public Hearing (Item 7b): No public testimony was offered regarding the 9.87-acre Sunnyside Addition annexation. The hearing was closed.
• Zone Change for Ridge Road/Holland Court (Item 9): Numerous residents spoke in opposition to the proposed NR3 (Neighborhood Residential-High Density) zoning. Concerns included increased traffic (estimated 1,396 daily trips, with 698 on Holland Court), drainage issues in Thomas Heights, property values, and neighborhood character. Several speakers urged adoption of the existing MR (Medium Density Residential) zone. The developer, Jason Stephens of Bedrock Development, spoke in favor of NR3, noting that the site cannot support single-family housing due to sewer line elevation and that 210 apartments (reduced from 300) would provide needed workforce housing at rents of $1,600–$1,800/month. The City Planning staff recommended approval.
• UDC Enforcement Amendments (Item 10): No public testimony.
• Zone Map Amendment (Item 11): No public testimony.
• PaydHealth Resolution (Item 21): One city employee expressed concerns about the program's voluntary nature and business practices.
• Arts Cheyenne MOU (Item 23c): Bill Lindstrom, Executive Director of Arts Cheyenne, spoke in support of the MOU and funding.

Discussion Items

• Annexation Ordinance (Item 8, Third Reading): Owner-initiated annexation of land southwest of Ridge Road and Holland Court. Approved unanimously (9-0).
• Zone Change (Item 9, Third Reading): Proposed change from County A-1 Agriculture to NR3. Council debated at length. A motion to amend to MR failed (4-7). The main motion to approve NR3 received 7 votes in favor, but needed 8 affirmative votes (supermajority) and therefore failed (7-3). Subsequently, a motion to postpone the zoning item for two weeks was approved, allowing the developer to evaluate the MR zone option.
• UDC Enforcement Amendments (Item 10, Second Reading): Staff explained the amendment would allow enforcement of approved site plans without a time limit. Councilmembers debated whether to impose a timeline; no amendment was made. Approved 8-1 (Rennie opposed).
• Zone Map Amendment (Item 11, Second Reading): Reclassification from MUB/CB to CB. Approved unanimously.
• Annexation First Reading (Item 12) and Zone Map First Reading (Item 13): Referred to Public Services Committee.
• Final Plat – Dell Range Addition (Item 14): Associated with Item 8/9; postponed two weeks.
• PaydHealth Resolution (Item 21): After discussion about data privacy and program structure, a motion to postpone failed. Adopted 8-1 (Escobel opposed). The program is expected to save the city approximately $500,000 annually through alternative funding for specialty prescription drugs.
• Preliminary Plat – Hill Heights Addition (Item 22): Developer requested amendment to allow up to 10 lots (previously 8). Approved as amended.
• Memorandum of Understanding with Arts Cheyenne (Item 23c): Approved 5-3 (Johnson, Cook, Rennie opposed). Funding of $50,000 (unrestricted) will support public art management, inventory, and interpretation.
• Professional Services Contract – Board of Adjustment (Item 23f): Amended to correct reference amount to $7,200; approved unanimously.
• Donation Agreement – Union Pacific Railroad (Item 23h): Amended to accept four railroad cars (removed exhibits A and C). Approved 7-2 (Layborn, Aldridge opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Annexation (Item 8), UDC amendments (Item 10), zone map amendment (Item 11), PaydHealth resolution (Item 21), Hill Heights preliminary plat (Item 22), Arts Cheyenne MOU (Item 23c with $50,000), Board of Adjustment contract (Item 23f), Union Pacific donation (Item 23h).
• Postponed: Zone change for Ridge Road/Holland Court (Item 9) and associated final plat (Item 14) for two weeks.
• Referred: Sunnyside annexation (Item 12) and zoning (Item 13) to Public Services Committee.
• Next Steps: Public hearing announced for March 13, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. regarding 3.47 acres at 908 Southwest Drive.