Commission agrees to $500K land deal

by Cat Urbigkit

The Sublette County Commission formally signed an agreement calling for the purchase of nearly five acres of land from the Sublette Center for a total cost of $500,000. The agreement, which now goes to the Sublette Center board of directors for approval, will allow the county to purchase two parcels of property, including 3.15 acres between the Sublette Center and Faler's, and a 1.67-acre parcel just north of the Lee Ditch.

Once approved by the Sublette Center, the agreement allows the land sale to be finalized, subject to provisions ranging from title insurance, wetlands determination by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and approval by the Pinedale Town Council of the plat for subdivision.

The commission intends to purchase enough land to erect a new 9,700-square-foot building for the Hi-Country Senior Center.

Mike (William) and Laura Fenn's application for a conditional-use permit to operate a mini-storage unit operation on three acres just south of Pinedale was granted unanimous approval from the commission.

The three-acre parcel was zoned general commercial just a few months ago when the commission declined to grant the Fenns' requested zone change on 10 acres in that area, and instead reduced the commercial area to three acres.

Due to opposition from neighbors, the units will parallel Highway 191, instead of the Fenns' original proposal to tuck the units in alongside houses in an adjacent subdivision.

The Fenns' variance application was approved as well, for a front setback of 30 feet from highway right-of-way line, rather than the required 50 feet, to allow the Fenns to make better use of a narrower land parcel.

The commission approved a conditiona-use application for Curt and Jennifer Meeks to operate a portable batch plant at the existing gravel pit on Donna Steele's agricultural land near Boulder. The permit, which allows the batch plant to be operated only during daylight hours, is good for a two-year term and includes a total of 14 conditions.

Commissioner Gordon Johnston voted against approval of the permit, but Commissioner Betty Fear and Commission Chairman Bill Cramer voted for approval.

"Even though I voted against this, I hope the Meeks do well," Johnston added. "They are nice people."

In other planning business, Cramer noted that the county will host the public hearings in October and November on a proposal to update county regulations regarding the number of children allowed in a day care service as a home occupation. While the county regulations currently allow from one to six children, the proposal would allow up to 10 children, putting the county regulations on par with state regulations.