Cheyenne City Council Meeting – October 13, 2026

Note: The agenda and transcript list the meeting date as October 12, 2026, but the provided metadata identifies the meeting as occurring on October 13, 2026.

The Cheyenne City Council convened on October 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting covered multiple annexations, zoning changes, and resolutions, with significant public testimony regarding data center developments. Key actions included the approval of the Hitching Post District annexation and zoning for the PRCA headquarters, and the Orchard Hills annexation and zoning for a Trammel Crow data center, over opposition from some residents and council members. The council also approved funding for golf cart path repairs and various consent agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved with items 22, 23, 24, 33A, and 26 removed at the request of council members. Remaining items included routine approvals such as minutes from September 28, 2026, several resolutions, contracts, and agreements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jeff Nakashima (Trammel Crow Company): Expressed gratitude and outlined commitments including a 560‑foot berm with mature trees, use of Tier 4 generators (90% emission reduction) on the south side, and generator testing limited to 35 hours per year. He stated the project would invest $15 million in road construction (Wallack and Parsley roads) and provide pedestrian safety improvements.
• Susan Kotowitz (Ward 1): Opposed the Orchard Hills project, citing concerns about dust from grading, noise, light pollution, and impact on animals.
• Diana McNamara (Orchard Valley resident, 49 years): Questioned the timeline of notification and asked when the planning commission was first contacted.
• Tamra Watts (near Orchard Valley): Expressed frustration that residents were not informed earlier, felt the process was predetermined.
• Donna O’Donnell (Orchard Valley, 45 years): Opposed the data center due to proximity to homes and lack of notification.
• Ross Gensel (adjacent property owner): Supported the data center over residential development, citing less traffic, crime, and the benefit of the berm. He noted he is an amateur astronomer and can still stargaze.
• Andy O’Donnell (Orchard Valley, 45 years): Opposed because residents were not informed early enough.
• Susan Gensel (adjacent property owner): Supported the data center over housing, emphasized the 560‑foot berm and that Trammel Crow has worked with neighbors.
• Susan McNamare (Orchard Valley, 30 years): Questioned claims of increased home values from data centers; requested concrete evidence.
• Bill Edwards (Edwards Development, part-owner): Supported the project, stated property has changed character due to substations and utility lines, and praised Trammel Crow’s transparency.
• Heather Madrid (Ward 1): Criticized the property rights argument, noted that the benefit agreement is a step forward but impacts cannot be fully mitigated. She alleged that the city’s positions are shaped by Cheyenne LEADS, citing 961 emails, and called for recusal of the mayor from the LEADS board.
• Richard Lyle (Western Hills): Supported data centers as needed for AI technology security.
• Jane Lessinger (Laramie County resident, Ward 1): Called for a county-wide plan, questioned water usage and effects on wells, and urged a moratorium.
• Orlando Flores (adjacent property owner): Supported data center over 600 housing units, citing safety and landscape preservation.
• Stephen Love (Ward 1): Supported the data centers, argued for economic diversification.
• Trish Turner (Orchard Valley): Supported data center, opposed more residential due to infrastructure strain.
• Randy True (near site): Supported data center, noted berm would buffer existing Meta center.
• Charles Miller (registered public auditor): Opposed postponement, argued the process was flawed, and accused council of hypocrisy in fiscal priorities. He also made extensive procedural and fiscal objections.
• Several other speakers addressed the postponement and zoning.

Discussion Items

• Hitching Post District Annexation (Item 7): 652.67 acres annexed on 3rd reading. Unanimous approval (all ayes). Council members noted it would house PRCA headquarters and complementary businesses.
• Hitching Post District Zoning (Items 8 & 9): Established AG/LI then changed to BP Business Park. Approved on 3rd reading with Moody voting no on Item 9.
• Future Land Use Map Amendment (Item 22): Changed designation to Community Business and removed Natural/Cultural Resources area. Adopted.
• Preliminary and Final Plats (Items 33A & 24): Acknowledged receipt and adopted final plat for Hitching Post District.
• Orchard Hills Annexation (Item 10): 162.42 acres. After extensive debate and a failed motion to postpone until January 25, 2027, the annexation was approved on 3rd reading with Moody and Wolf voting no.
• Orchard Hills Zoning (Items 11 & 12): Established AG for annexed land, then changed to LI Light Industrial for data center. Approved on 3rd reading; Moody voted no on Item 12.
• Future Land Use Map Amendment (Item 23): Changed from Mixed-Use Residential to Mixed-Use Employment. Adopted with Moody voting no.
• Golf Course Cart Path Repair (Item 25): Resolution to reappropriate $250,000 from General Fund Reserves. Adopted with Moody, Aldrich, and Rennie voting no. Council debated liability concerns and asset maintenance.
• Industrial Siting Council MOU (Item 26): Adopted to participate in allocation of Impact Assistance Funds for Cheyenne Prairie Generating Station expansion.
• Professional Services Agreement for Municipal Building Parking Lot Redesign (Item 34B): Approved, amount not to exceed $132,000. Discussion included solar canopies.
• Vouchers (Item 36a): Approved after comment from Charles Miller.

Key Outcomes

• Hitching Post District: Annexation, zoning, and land use changes approved unanimously or with minor opposition.
• Orchard Hills Data Center: Annexation approved on 3rd reading (vote: 8-2, Moody and Wolf no). Zoning change to Light Industrial approved (vote: 9-1, Moody no). Motion to postpone until January 25, 2027 failed.
• Golf Course Funding: $250,000 approved for cart path repairs (vote: 8-3, Moody, Aldrich, Rennie no).
• Future Land Use Amendments: Adopted for both districts.
• New Annexations (Items 13-17): First readings referred to Public Services Committee.
• UDC Amendments (Items 18-21): First readings referred to Public Services Committee.
• Contracts and Leases: Approved consent items and referred others.
• Data Center Regulations: Councilmember Labourne raised concerns about proposed UDC amendments; planning staff noted the next planning commission meeting will focus on regulations.