Council approves Sweetgrass PUD amendment, designating 45 acres for city parkland

The Cheyenne City Council on May 11 approved a major amendment to the Sweetgrass planned unit development that designates a 45‑acre community park to be owned by the city and allows the remaining acreage previously promised as parkland to be held for private recreation or development.

Why it matters: The amendment changes how land initially dedicated for park and recreation uses in the Sweetgrass PUD will be allocated, narrowing the city‑owned park to 45 acres while preserving a private‑use remainder. Residents argued the shift codifies a reduction from the larger public park residents expected when the PUD was first approved.

Casey Palma, the applicant’s agent, told the council the revision is intended to create a 45‑acre park “about the size of Holiday Park” that the city will develop while allowing private partners to contribute amenities. Palma said private funds and a public‑private approach would help bring park improvements sooner than waiting on city capacity.

Planning staff member Seth Lloyd explained the PUD already contains zones allowing a developer to use undedicated land for housing; the amendment seeks to clarify that the dedicated parcel will be recreation and to limit potential housing uses on the remaining acreage.

Several council members pressed for clarity on ownership and access. Councilmember Doctor Aldridge asked whether facilities on the 45 acres would be free to the public; Palma and Mayor Collins answered the 45 acres would be a city‑owned public park, while separate private amenities could require memberships or fees. Director of Development Charles Blumpling said the property is not yet city‑owned and would be dedicated under the existing annexation agreement when appropriate.

Charles Miller, a member of the public, told council he believed the amendment effectively reduces the public parkland residents had been promised and warned that subsection language could allow significant changes without a major amendment. “By approving this amendment, we are formally codifying that reduction in public space,” Miller said.

Council discussion emphasized tradeoffs between the city’s maintenance capacity and the benefit of getting usable park acreage in the near term. Doctor Rennie and Mister White said 45 acres is a substantial, practical community park; Doctor Aldridge and others said residents deserve transparency and that the council will monitor implementation.

Outcome: The council voted to approve the PUD amendment on third and final reading.