Zoning change, farm lease approved by council

WORLAND — The Worland City Council approved an amendment to the zoning regulations table to allow for manufactured office structures.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, the council was presented with a resolution to allow manufactured office units less than 10 years old, temporary or permanent placement in light industrial and heavy industrial zones.

City Planning Consultant Ron Vanderpool said the need for the change arose after a representative from Baker-Hughes petitioned the city to install a manufactured office trailer on their property on North Fourth Street.

Vanderpool said the use had previously been allowed by city code but when Chapter 24-Zoning was rewritten it was missed.

The Worland Board of Adjustments and Planning Commission approved a temporary exemption while the resolution came before the council.

Worland City Council member Keith Gentzler said, “I’m glad to see the BAPC is more business friendly [than it used to be.]

Vanderpool said, speaking on behalf of the board, that the comment is appreciated. “They are trying to become more business friendly. They look intimately at the ramifications on businesses,” he said.

Council member Dennis Koch, the council liaison to the BAPC, said he was there for the Baker-Hughes presentation. “I think it’s a good deal. There are residential trailers within a block, block and a half. It won’t deter the sight at all. It’s something we can do to be more business friendly.”

Upon that, Koch made a motion to approve the resolution amending the table, which was approved unanimously.

FARM LEASE

The council also addressed a lease of farm land owned by the city near the airport. City Attorney Kent Richins said the City of Worland has 56 farmable acres and there are restrictions on height and development on the land due to the proximity to the Worland Municipal Airport. He said the previous lessee of the land had subleased the property and once the city found out last year entered into a tentative agreement with Dan Madden.

He said they have been working on a longer lease agreement with Madden. He said the proposal before the council is for 10 years at $25 per acre. While the price per acre is less than the typical $80-$100 per acre, Madden will put in a pivot sprinkler system that will belong to the city at the end of the 10-year lease.

“If we don’t have someone farm it, it will grow weeds. Madden is the only one who has shown any interest,” Richins said.

He added that there is a culvert that Madden will have to install and the agreement also calls for Madden to make the road accessible, since it has become inaccessible.

Richins said the council needs to approve the agreement and then it will be presented to Madden for his signature.

Mayor Jim Gill said, “It’s hard to get a farmer to farm ground without a sprinkler. I feel confident this is a good move for the city.”

The council approved the agreement unanimously.

In other business:

—The council heard from Doug Hicks that he is moving forward with plans for a cleanup day on 15 Mile Road just past the Worland Fire Department training center. He said cleanup will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

—Gill appointed the budget committee with Keith Gentzler representing Ward 1, Koch Ward 2 and Michele Rideout Ward 3.

—Richins reported he has received a letter from Schlumberger regarding the Third Street closure. He said he will work on dates for a work session between the council and Schlumberger representatives.

The council has been considering whether to continue keeping Third Street closed or open it up.

—Mike Donnell of the city engineering firm Donnell & Allred, reported that the Wyoming Department of Transportation will begin work at the intersection of 15th Street and Big Horn Avenue to complete the Americans with Disabilities Act sidewalk project that began last summer. The intersection will be closed starting Monday.

Prior to adjournment, the council met in executive (closed) session for personnel.

More on the council meeting regarding changes to the water ordinance will be published in Thursday’s Daily News.