Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
WORLAND — The Washakie County Commissioners held a public hearing on Tuesday, June 15, to consider the proposed changes recommended by the Washakie County Planning and Zoning Commission on subdivisions.
One of the major proposed changes is to set the requirement for easements to be at least 20 feet in length from both property owners, which will allow for the board to accept a width less than 20 feet as long as the subdivider demonstrates that the easement is adequate to protect the safety and health of the public.
According to Washakie County Planner David Anderson this change is set to address easements that are external to the subdivision that are being used to provide utilities or access.
This change comes in order to align with Senate File 126 passed by the
Wyoming Legislature this last session which is set to go into effect on July 1.
Another major change is that minor subdivisions will no longer need to have the water right distribution plans sent to the Wyoming State Engineers office and will be allowed to be reviewed and approved by the Washakie County Planning and Zoning Commission.
The proposed changes to the fire protection section of the regulations would include adding a new paragraph and specifying hydrant spacing in order to match what Washakie County Fire Warden Chris Kocher is looking for in the regulations.
The added paragraph is in regards to construction timing, and states that “when fire protection facilities are to be installed by the subdivider, such facilities, including all access roads required for emergency access, shall be installed and made serviceable prior to sale of any part of the subdivided land.”
Another change includes clarifying language for what is required for water and sewer systems and how they are reviewed for minor subdivisions.
The commissioners also added two changes during their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 15, to include the county’s Natural Resource Management Plan and to clarify acceptable forms of security for public approvals.
The other proposed changes include minor language clarifications and changes to match state statutes that Anderson hopes will help offer more clarity to those applying for subdivisions in order to help make the process smoother.
No public attended the meeting and the commissioners made no decision on the regulations.