Cheyenne City Council Meeting Summary: September 11, 2023

The Cheyenne City Council met on September 11, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Key actions included approving the Dry Creek Drainage Master Plan Update, adopting the West Downtown Urban Renewal Plan (with opposition), failing an ordinance on neglected historic structures, and failing an ordinance on manufactured homes. Several other ordinances and resolutions were also considered.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the August 28, 2023 meeting.
• Approved a FEMA FY 2022 Assistance of Firefighters Grant of $387,043.63, with a $38,704.37 match from Fifth and Sixth Penny funds, for breathable air fill stations.
• Adopted a resolution supporting conversion of a portion of Dutcher Ball Fields and purchase of replacement property for perpetual recreation use.
• Adopted a resolution approving the Federally Funded Dry Creek Drainage Master Plan Update (after removal from Consent Agenda).
• Referred to Finance Committee: FY 2024 Budget Re-appropriation; Final Plats for Shining D North at Sweetgrass, R and R at Sweetgrass, and Hitching Post Plaza 3rd Filing; High Plains Arboretum State Historic Site support; contract with Cheyenne Housing Authority for senior services; lease with GBP, LLC for 6725 Faith Drive.
• Approved contracts and agreements including: Real Estate Purchase at 700 Gettysburg Drive ($245,000), Office of Youth Alternatives contract ($76,000), Volunteers of American Northern Rockies ($136,875), United Way of Laramie County ($750,000), Safe Harbor ($20,000), Wyoming Housing Network MOU ($150,000).
• Removed for separate consideration: Item 19 (Dry Creek Plan) and Item 25(f) (Ayers Associates Greenway Plan).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dry Creek Drainage Master Plan Update: Multiple residents (Harry LaBonde, Jack Palma, Roberta Coates, Ed Heffern, Jeff Geyer of Laramie County Conservation District, Steve Achter) spoke in favor of adoption. They emphasized the plan's urgency, citing the 1985 flood, inadequate maintenance, and the need for a stormwater utility fee. Jeff Geyer expressed support for the channel design but raised concerns about downstream flow consistency.
• Neglected Structure Ordinance: Milward Simpson (Historic Preservation Board) spoke in favor. Michael White opposed the manufactured homes amendment.
• Building Permit Fee Incentives: Chad Willette (local developer) supported the program, noting its underutilization; Dan Dorsch (Habitat for Humanity) supported as a tool for affordable housing. Michael White raised questions about the historic preservation component.
• Other Business: Cade Batchelor complained about abandoned RVs on Pershing; Ron Pinther requested more traffic enforcement, citing speeding and modified vehicles.

Discussion Items

• Neglected Structure Ordinance (Ordinance No. 4521): After amendment to the review committee (B12), the main motion failed 5-5. Council members Laborne, Segrave, Aldrich, and others raised concerns about staffing, funding, and notification to property owners. Councilman White and Johnson supported it as a needed tool.
• Downtown Development Authority Special Election: Approved unanimously to submit a 20-mill special assessment for 4 years to voters on October 18, 2023. Councilman Laybourn urged support, warning against overconfidence.
• Frontier Mall Rezoning: Approved unanimously, changing from PUD to CB for a new restaurant.
• Sweetgrass PUD Amendment: Approved unanimously with a substitute Exhibit A (September 5, 2023).
• Manufactured Homes on Single Platted Properties: Failed 4-7 on second reading. Staff requested postponement, but motion failed. Council members expressed concerns about trailer homes in existing neighborhoods. Staff clarified that HUD homes are currently allowed in all residential zones if at least 24 feet wide and built after 2000.
• Building Permit Fee Incentivization: Approved as amended, increasing historic renovation incentive from $1,000 to $5,000 and pool from $20,000 to $35,000.
• West Downtown Urban Renewal Plan: Adopted 6-3, with Aldrich, Laybourn, and Segrave voting no. Concerns included reliance on speculative hotel project and overuse of urban renewal tools.
• Dry Creek Drainage Master Plan Update: Adopted unanimously. Councilman Laybourn highlighted record precipitation in 2023, emphasizing need for stormwater fee.
• West Crow Creek Greenway Plan: Approved by Ayers Associates contract for $134,997.54.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance Failed: Neglected Structure Ordinance (#4521) failed 5-5 on third reading.
• Ordinance Approved: DDA Special Election Ordinance (#4522) passed unanimously.
• Ordinance Approved: Frontier Mall Rezoning (#4523) passed unanimously.
• Ordinance Approved: Sweetgrass PUD Amendment (#4524) passed unanimously.
• Ordinance Failed: Manufactured Homes Amendment failed 4-7 on second reading.
• Ordinance Approved: Building Permit Fee Incentives passed on second reading as amended.
• Resolution Adopted: West Downtown Urban Renewal Plan (#6350) adopted 6-3.
• Resolution Adopted: Dry Creek Drainage Master Plan Update (#6351) adopted unanimously.
• Referred: Various first-reading ordinances (Back 40 rezoning, Hitching Post Plaza rezoning, Wastewater Treatment) were referred to Public Services Committee.
• Meeting Adjourned: 8:07 p.m.