Lincoln County denies Richards road/bridge variance, approves several subdivision and development filings

The Board of Lincoln County Commissioners on April 5 denied a road and bridge variance for Craig Richards (File 101 VA 23) and approved a set of planning applications including a conditional use permit and multiple subdivision and plat approvals.

Commissioner Connelly moved to deny the Richards variance based on the Planning Department’s Findings of Denial; the motion was adopted. During the Planning presentation, applicant Craig Richards said he agreed to several proposed conditions including posting signs, installing reflectors and speed limit signage, and that he preferred not to link future road width standards to the variance decision.

The board adopted File 104 CUP 23 Ridgeline Storage Expansion (findings A–D; conditions 1–11) on a motion by Commissioner Bowers after Planning recommended approval. Commissioner Connelly moved to approve File 101 SS 23 Blue Grouse Roost North Second Filing (findings A–C and a resolution of approval). The board also approved File 104 AP 23 Dry Creek Estates Second Filing, File 105 AP 23 Solitude Phase IV, and File 813 AP 22 vacating the remainder of the Berton Townsite; resolutions and quitclaim deeds were presented for signature.

County Engineer Amy Butler advised during discussion that the TL3 bridge railing is a WYDOT specification and recommended that a professional engineer sign off on bridge-related work if a variance were approved; she also reminded the board that many county bridges have unknown foundations and that state inspections are the mechanism for bridge safety oversight.

Planning Director Robert Davis said he will form an ad hoc committee to examine road width standards and road design criteria following the Richards discussion. The board also discussed appointing a Planning and Zoning member to fill an unexpired term and requested Planning Department input on a social survey of counties.

The board approved the planning items as presented; conditions and findings referenced in motions (A–D, Conditions 1–11, and resolutions) were recorded by Planning staff but the transcript does not include the full text of those findings and conditions.