Sheridan City Council Meeting and Hearings – September 8, 2026

The Sheridan City Council met on September 8, 2026, for a regular meeting that included proclamations, public hearings on a de-annexation and two subdivision plats, final readings of two ordinances, the consent agenda, and council committee reports. Mayor Richard Bridger opened by announcing that Resolution 1626 (Story House Minor Subdivision No. 1) had been removed from the agenda at the applicant’s request. All councilmembers and the mayor were present.

Community Updates and Proclamations

• Pat Trout, Sheridan Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, presented the Constitution Week Proclamation recognizing September 17–23, 2026, as Constitution Week, the 239th anniversary of the Constitution’s framing, and the 250th anniversary of American independence.
• The Watson family presented the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation for Jason’s Friends Foundation, noting the foundation is supporting 184 Wyoming families, enrolled 15 new families in 2026 compared to 31 in 2025 and 21 in 2024, and has expended over $9.4 million since 1996.
• A Doubleday representative, Mary, provided an update on the Doubleday Fields project. The city-owned, rec-district-managed site has one completed ball field and soccer fields in use; 38 nights of youth programming occurred in May and June; Storm Soccer is using the site as its primary home; about $2 million has already been spent and $2–2.5 million more is needed to finish the first four fields; and water-rights/irrigation access is being formalized. Councilmembers expressed strong support for completing the complex.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Janie Joelman, an Osprey Hill resident, opposed the Falcon’s Nest 2 plat as designed because the proposed 60-foot access/utility easement could become a connector road through her neighborhood. She said residents would welcome a 30-foot emergency access easement and asked the council to vote no unless the easement is reduced. She also raised concerns about water pressure.
• John Constantine, speaking as a Woodland Creek Estates HOA board member, raised concerns during the de-annexation hearing about future development, traffic, inadequate parking, and possible access through Trout Lane, which he said is owned by the Woodland Creek Estates HOA.
• Carol Breden, an Osprey Hills homeowner, asked the council to modify Falcon’s Nest 2 to the originally agreed 20-foot emergency access width rather than 60 feet, citing traffic, safety, cost, and neighborhood opposition to a future Bluebird Lane–West Corridor connection.
• De-annexation applicant Mr. Lansing explained that de-annexation was sought to allow a lot-line adjustment, resolve ambiguous Trout Lane access, and address R3 zoning concerns. He said county zoning is more restrictive than R3 and offered to sign a commitment that only his mother would reside on the property.

Public Hearing: De-Annexation Ordinance 2306-26 (8A)

• City planner Kelly Schroeder presented the petition to de-annex approximately 1.5 acres at 4672 Coffeen Avenue. The property was annexed in 2022 and zoned R3. The petition was filed June 23, 2026, notice was published, and the Board of County Commissioners approved a de-annexation report on August 19, 2026.
• The county report noted water and sewer service would remain with SAWS and/or the city, law enforcement would shift from city police to the sheriff’s office, emergency response would shift to the rural fire district, property taxes would decrease from 23 to 18 mills, and the property lies in the urban service area. Staff noted the property is within the joint planning area and an area of logical municipal growth; future subdivision would remain subject to city infrastructure standards; outside-city utility rates would apply; and fire-code requirements would remain.
• The Planning Commission voted 5–1 to recommend approval, while city staff recommended denial. Public notification went to 42 surrounding property owners. The public hearing ran from 5:51 to 6:24 p.m.
• Council discussion focused on access issues, uncertainty about Trout Lane ownership, the county clerk’s request to delay action until after the November general election because of precinct and district changes, and concerns about creating a county island surrounded by city boundaries.
• A motion to approve the first reading of the de-annexation ordinance failed on a roll-call vote: 2 in favor and 5 opposed. The property therefore remains in the city.

Public Hearing: Falcon’s Nest 2 Minor Subdivision (Resolution 15-26)

• City planner Kelly Schroeder presented the final plat to combine one unplatted and one platted parcel into three lots totaling 5.7, 6.02, and 18.67 acres off Kingfisher Avenue and Pheasant Draw. Lots 1 and 3 contain existing homes; Lot 2 is intended for future development. The plat includes an existing 60-foot access/utility easement and a new 60-foot access/utility easement to the north, but no road construction or utility extensions are proposed.
• Staff said the easement is intended to preserve future access options, re-establish secondary access for Osprey Hill, and align with the 2026 transportation master plan and area master plans. Staff noted Osprey Hill’s required secondary access was never built and that fire code generally requires two access routes for developments over 30 dwelling units. The 60-foot easement could be reduced, adjusted, or removed when Lot 2 develops.
• Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval; staff concurred. Notification went to 120 property owners, and 16 comment letters were received. The public hearing ran from 6:28 to 6:52 p.m.
• Councilmember Wood criticized the 60-foot easement and said he would prefer a 30-foot emergency easement, but he voted for the plat because he believes the development is needed. Utilities staff said extending a future water main through the easement could improve water pressure for Osprey Hill, which is in the 40–40 pressure zone.
• The council approved Resolution 15-26 by voice vote.

Public Hearing: High Eagle Minor Subdivision (Resolution 17-26)

• City planner Kelly Schroeder presented the final plat for a 15-acre unplatted parcel off Yellowtail Drive, creating three mixed-use lots of 6.9, 3.8, and 4.6 acres in the Gateway District/Wrench Ranch Master Plan Phase 2. All lots have access to public streets and utilities, and no new improvements are proposed.
• Notification went to seven surrounding property owners. No public comments were received; one applicant agent spoke in support. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval, and staff concurred. The public hearing ran from 6:57 to 7:01 p.m.
• One councilmember expressed continuing concern about the city’s water supply but supported the plat.
• The council approved Resolution 17-26 by voice vote.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda, including the professional services agreement for primary municipal court judge Zach Meininger, the August 17, 2026 council meeting minutes, and claims. Mayor Bridger recused from consent agenda items 215 and 216, citing a conflict.

Old Business: Ordinance 2304-26 (Third Reading)

• City Attorney Brad Timmish presented the ordinance amending Chapters 4, 16, and 19 of the Sheridan Municipal Code. It adds a misdemeanor for providing alcohol to anyone under 21 unless the provider is a guardian, the recipient is a medical patient, or the recipient is an immediate family member; updates the careless/noisy driving title; expands controlled-substance and drug-paraphernalia definitions; adds camping regulations allowing camping on public property only with consent and private-property camping with permission up to seven days per stay and 14 days per year; raises the tobacco age from 18 to 21; increases the tobacco fine from $50 to $250; and also addresses the weapons section.
• The ordinance passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Old Business: Ordinance 2305-26 (Third Reading)

• City Attorney Brad Timmish presented the final reading amending Chapter 20. After revisions during earlier readings, the ordinance applies only to pawnbrokers and pawn shops. It requires records of transactions, including a description of property, date and time received, amount exchanged, and the individual’s name and address; requires those records be available to the chief of police; and allows police discretion to inspect pawn shop property and records during business hours.
• Councilmembers thanked staff and the police chief for the narrowed scope. The ordinance passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Council Comments & Committee Reports

• CETA plans are currently with the city and moving forward. The Northeast Wyoming Coalition had no report. Critical Air Service Team announced four additional weekly flights starting in January and a total of three daily flights beginning the summer season. SAWS’ next meeting is in October. SPAC/DSA reported the Iron Riders sculpture is in the marketing stage and promoted DSA Winefest and Third Thursday on September 17. Citizen Academy has completed four of eight sessions, and the next session is with the police department. Chamber election forums are scheduled Monday and Tuesday, with a Tongue River area forum on Thursday, and the chamber lunch is at the Historic Sheridan Inn.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 1626 (Story House Minor Subdivision No. 1) was removed from the agenda at the applicant’s request.
• The council issued proclamations for Constitution Week and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
• De-annexation Ordinance 2306-26 failed on first reading, 2 in favor and 5 opposed.
• Resolution 15-26 (Falcon’s Nest 2 Minor Subdivision) was approved.
• Resolution 17-26 (High Eagle Minor Subdivision) was approved.
• The consent agenda was approved; the mayor recused from items 215 and 216.
• Ordinance 2304-26 and Ordinance 2305-26 were adopted on third and final reading.