Cheyenne City Council Meeting: Data Center Annexations, Zoning, and Sales Tax - September 29, 2026

Note: The agenda and transcript list the meeting date as September 28, 2026, but the user-provided timestamp is September 29, 2026. This summary uses the user-provided date.

This was a marathon meeting dominated by controversial annexations and zoning changes to facilitate multiple data center developments, alongside routine business and a climate action plan. The council approved several large annexations and rezonings but denied one rezoning amid significant public opposition.

Consent Calendar

• Approved with removal of items 18 (Climate Action Plan) and 23 (Future Land Use Map for Cox Ranch) for separate discussion.
• Routine approvals included minutes, budget re-appropriation, special use permits, and various contracts and purchases.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cox Ranch Annexation (Items 6-8): Many residents opposed, citing concerns over noise, light, water, traffic, and loss of Western identity. Speakers included Mindim Levins (opposed, citing dismissive council), Heather Madrid (opposed, calling growth dangerous), Rick Kessler (opposed, mourning loss of historic ranch), and Charles Miller (legal objections). Supporters included Tom Glismeyer (project sponsor), Marin Kellis (reluctant approval for regulation), and Gay Woodhouse (representing Cox family, support after mausoleum agreement).
• Hitching Post District (PRCA) (Items 9-11): Speakers overwhelmingly supportive, including Jim Walter (Visit Cheyenne) who highlighted tourism benefits and the PRCA relocation from Colorado Springs. No public opposition heard.
• HR Land Company Rezoning (Item 12): Strong opposition from residents and environmental groups. Vicky Heron and Dr. Lori Wayne Chestnut (Audubon Society) advocated for bird habitat conservation. Residents like Todd Doyle and Spencer Straub cited noise, traffic, and lack of notification. Supporters included the landowner Mark Loham, who stated no end user yet but noted development challenges.
• Orchard Hills Annexation and Rezoning (Items 13-15): Mixed public comment. Opponents like Heather Madrid (passionate opposition, calling data centers a destruction of south Cheyenne) and Jim Sutter (light pollution from existing Meta facility). Supporters like Ross Gensel (preferred data center over housing for less traffic) and Orlando Flores (support after community benefits).
• Climate Action Plan (Item 18): Public speakers opposed, including Ben Reighley (calling it a waste of federal dollars) and Alan Sheldon (concern over costs). Charles Miller argued the plan was fraudulent for excluding data center energy use.
• Cheyenne Depot Lease (Item 29C): Charles Miller objected to lack of financial analysis, but no public opposition from residents.

Discussion Items

• Item 6: Cox Ranch Annexation (3rd Reading): Passed 7-2 (Wolf and Moody dissenting). Council debated water impacts, traffic, and community benefit agreements. Councilman Wolf criticized the council for ad-hoc decision-making and lack of data center regulations. Councilman Labourne supported due to water flow protection.
• Items 7-8: Zoning for Cox Ranch: Passed 7-2 (Moody dissenting on zoning establishment; Wolf and Moody dissenting on business park rezoning). Council emphasized that a signed community commitment agreement addressed some concerns but not all.
• Items 9-11: Hitching Post District: Passed unanimously on second reading. Council expressed excitement for PRCA relocation and year-round tourism.
• Item 12: HR Land Company Rezoning (2nd Reading): Failed after council vote (5 no: Escobel, Aldrich, Labourne, Moody, Wolf; 4 yes). Council cited lack of end user, incomplete bird study, and neighbor concerns.
• Items 13-15: Orchard Hills Annexation and Rezoning (2nd Reading): Annexation passed 7-2 (Moody and Wolf dissenting). Rezoning to Light Industrial passed 7-2 (same dissenters). Developer offered community benefits including road and greenway improvements. Council noted extensive neighborhood engagement.
• Item 16: Optional 1% Sales Tax Resolution: Adopted after amendments to correct percentages. Funds primarily for roads and public safety.
• Item 18: Climate Action Plan: Heavily debated. Amended by Dr. Aldrich to “acknowledge receipt” rather than “adopt,” and further amended to state the plan “may be used as a planning document.” Adopted as amended 5-2 (Emmons and Moody dissenting). Some council members worried about unfunded mandates, while others saw value as a baseline for grants.
• Item 20: Overruling Planning Commission for Orchard Hills Land Use: Adopted 6-2 (Moody and Wolf dissenting). Council argued the commission lacked expertise and quorum issues.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Cox Ranch Annexation (Item 6): Approved 7-2.
  • Zoning establishment (Item 7): Approved 6-1 (Moody no).
  • Rezone to BP (Item 8): Approved 7-2.
  • Hitching Post Annexation (Item 9): Approved unanimously on second reading.
  • HR Land Rezone (Item 12): Denied on second reading (5-4).
  • Orchard Hills Annexation (Item 13): Approved 7-2 on second reading.
  • Orchard Hills Rezone to LI (Item 15): Approved 7-2 on second reading.
  • Optional Sales Tax (Item 16): Adopted.
  • Climate Action Plan (Item 18): Adopted as amended 5-2.
  • Overruling Planning Commission (Item 20): Adopted 6-2.
• Postponements: Items 19 and 21 (future land use map amendments) postponed to October 12, 2026.
• Appointments: Kristin Lee reappointed to Cheyenne Housing Authority; Matthew Hurt, Jessica Nyffler, Richard Brown Jr. appointed to Mayor’s Council for People with Disabilities.
• Leases and Contracts: Cheyenne Depot Museum 10-year lease approved; firefighting turnout gear purchase approved with amended model.
• Public Hearings Announced: October 12, 2026 for compliance of annexation conditions for 8.18 acres near US-30 and Commerce Circle.