Council reviews zoning map amendment; neighbor raises subsidence concern

The Rock Springs City Council on Jan. 6 reviewed an ordinance (2026-01) proposing to change the official zoning map for a 0.609-acre parcel from R-5 (high-density residential) to an R-single-family designation.

Councilor Hickerson asked whether the applicant planned to build a single-family home; a city representative confirmed that was the intent and said zone-change and master-plan amendments were being run together. The council also noted a written public comment from a neighbor who raised concerns about ground subsidence on the lot.

Staff advised that subsidence and foundation questions are addressed through soils reports and building-permit requirements and directed the council and concerned neighbor to Harold Hudson with Wyoming Abandoned Mine Lands for technical information. The building-department representative, Mr. Kossage, said he was not familiar with mitigation that had been done specifically for that parcel and suggested any permit would include appropriate foundation requirements depending on soils-designation.

No final vote on the ordinance was taken; the council left the item in the reading/review stage and reminded interested parties to consult the building department and state abandoned-mine lands staff for technical mitigation details.