Committee rejects Sweetgrass PUD park amendment after concerns about acreage, access and private facility

The City of Cheyenne Public Service Committee failed to recommend approval of a Sweetgrass planned-unit-development amendment that would change standards for the development’s community park.

Councilwoman Aldridge said she would vote no, arguing the proposal does not protect public access or the city’s maintenance capacity. "The 45 acres is a minimum amount of park, to be a designated city park," Aldridge said, adding that plans to have roughly 21–22 acres used or controlled by a private operator could leave the city maintaining a single 45‑acre tract while private facilities limit public hours. "Not really working for us as far as students and children and families being able to participate," she said.

Staff planner Connor White told the committee the amendment had planning‑commission support and that no substantive changes had been made since second reading. White said staff recommended approval. After discussion and a voice vote, the motion to approve the PUD amendment failed and the chair announced there would be no committee recommendation to council.

Supporters had argued the amendment addressed community-park design within the Sweetgrass development and that the adopted future-land‑use map application had progressed; opponents on the committee raised concerns over whether an indoor, privately operated facility with limited city hours would adequately serve nearby residents and whether splitting park acreage would create long‑term maintenance challenges.

The committee’s vote leaves the item without a recommendation to the full City Council; no new motion to recommit or postpone with a date certain was adopted at the meeting. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.