CASPER, WY — In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the Natrona County Board of Commissioners approved two land‑use actions that will reshape a century‑old portion of the Allendale Addition and permit light‑industrial use on Andy Road.
Allendale Addition vacation
The board granted a 10.65‑acre vacation request submitted by M & M Equipment Rental on behalf of property owners Mark and Missy Van Horn. The petition seeks to eliminate internal lot lines, streets and alleys that date back to the 1921 plat, consolidating dozens of narrow lots into a single parcel zoned Suburban Residential.
Attorney Mike Lansing, representing the equipment‑rental company, described the original layout as “one of the most confusing land‑use things I’ve ever looked at.” He noted that similar vacations have occurred in the northern sections of the 1921 plat since 1996.
Mark Van Horn emphasized that the owners have complied with every county requirement. “We have so far followed every rule that they’ve asked us to do,” he said, adding that only three homes currently occupy the dirt road and Allendale area.
Neighbors voiced concerns during the public comment period. Attorney Thomas Garvey, representing several adjacent landowners, argued that the original plat was flawed and warned that vacating rights‑of‑way could restrict access to nearby lots. “Everyone I talked to had similar comments about what a mess, what a disaster of a situation,” Garvey said.
Resident Kyle Sowell described how recent grading raised the ground level four to five feet, blocking a drainage pipe and causing floodwater to back up onto his property. “I get damage there because I can’t use those buildings,” he explained.
County Development Director Sabrina Kemper clarified that the vacation does not alter zoning or allow owners to bypass future building permits. State environmental inspectors and county staff will require drainage and engineering plans, including a retention pond, before any construction can proceed.
Commissioner Dallas Laird underscored the principle of property rights, stating, “If a man owns land, he can do with it what he wants to do with it as long as it doesn’t hurt other people.” Commissioner Dave North added that any future rezoning or subdivision would require new public hearings before both the planning commission and the county board.
Commissioner Peter Nicolaysen confirmed that the applicants met all legal criteria for the vacation, while noting that any remaining road‑access disputes could be resolved in civil court.
Andy Road rezoning
In a separate unanimous vote, the board approved a request from Ryan Wenger to rezone 2.32 acres at 3737 Andy Road from Suburban Residential to Light Industrial. Wenger plans to use the site, located in the Hartranft Subdivision, for storing contractor equipment and trailers.
County planning staff recommended approval because the parcel abuts 50 acres of existing light‑industrial zoning. However, the Natrona County Fire Protection District and the Road & Bridge Department cautioned that increased commercial traffic could accelerate wear on surrounding dirt roads.
Wenger responded that he has already taken steps to improve the road, adding, “The main concern was the roads and so I’ve already gotten dirt and gravel out there to improve our road. I’ve owned it for a while. I’ve always been the one that does the drag and, you know, keeps the road up, plows it sometimes.” He also noted that the broader area is gradually shifting toward industrial use.
With no public opposition recorded, the board’s unanimous approval clears the way for the rezoning, subject to standard permitting processes and any required engineering studies.
These actions reflect the county’s ongoing effort to resolve long‑standing land‑use complexities while balancing property‑owner rights with community infrastructure needs.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
