ROCK SPRINGS – The Rock Springs City Council voted to begin the process of reverting a parcel of land at the intersection of College Drive and Hilltop Drive from community zoning to the previous status of residential, after no progress had been made on a project that included a parking lot and an 8,000 square foot medical office building.

Background

In 2013, the Rock Springs Planning and Zoning Commission approved a rezone on the land located near the corner of College and Hilltop. The plan was to build a parking area and 8,000 square foot medical and dental office building. City ordinance states if a parcel of land is rezoned and no progress on the parcel is made in two years, the city council can choose to leave it or vote to have it revert to its original zoning.

Councilman Clark Stith questioned the intention of the proposal noting property owner Mesa Spirit is looking at building a parking lot on the site, and by reverting the zoning, Mesa Spirit would have to go through the zoning process again. He stressed a parking lot is a conditional use permit in a community business zoning but not a residential zoning.

Assistant City Attorney Rick Beckwith again pointed out it is the City Council’s decision whether or not to change the zoning back, he said many questions were raised by homeowners when the original change was approved in 2013 and by changing it back, they would make the new owners have to go through the process again giving the homeowners near the parcel of land in question a chance to voice concerns. Beckwith advised the council that even if they did not change it back, they should have a public hearing on the proposed parking lot because of the concerns raised in 2013.

The Council voted to begin the process to change it back to residential zoning with Stith and Councilman Jason Armstrong voting against the proposal. Mayor Carl Demshar was absent from the meeting.

Appointments

The council unanimously approved the appointment of  Tim Sheehan to the Rock Springs Planning and Zoning Commission.

Big Openings

One bid was received for the 2017 overlay project from Lewis and Lewis in the amount of $1,146.865.

New Business

• The council unanimously approved a request from the Rock Springs Police Department to apply for the 2018 Highway Safety grant. The main focus of this grant is to provide funding for overtime enforcement of occupant protection and DUI enforcement.
• The council unanimously approved a request from the Rock Spring Housing Authority for permission to seek bids for a roof replacement at the Gobel site.
• The council unanimously approved a request from Ponderosa Bar, Inc. for a liquor catering permit for the Muley Fanatic Banquet on March 25, 2017, from 4 p.m. to midnight at the Sweetwater Events
  Complex. The Green River City Council similarly approved the transfer of the license for the event.

Resolutions

• The council unanimously approved an agreement between the city, the Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency and Able Hands to water flowers in the downtown area this summer. Councilman Armstrong praised the decision noting it is great to see groups like this who are willing help make this community great.
• The council unanimously approved a loan agreement with the National Museum of the United States Air Force to keep the plane at Veterans Park for another year.
• The council unanimously approved an agreement between Wyo-Radio to trade advertising for recreation passes.
• The council unanimously approved an agreement with the YWCA to purchase the safehouse for $100. YWCA Director Lauren Schoenfield said they are asking to purchase the property to be able to apply for grants for the upkeep of the safe house.