County continues to see development

Sweetwater County continues to see growth, from plans for new development - including new housing - to the improvement of existing services.

The Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners addressed and discussed some of the recent growth in the county during the June 18 meeting, from approving Planning and Zoning resolutions to hearing an update from Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County.

One of the Planning and Zoning resolutions the commissioners approved was for a zoning amendment to allow for the development of a residential property located near the Sweetwater County Justice Center. GIS Planner Megann Toomer explained that Brian Marincic is asking for about 81 acres just northeast of the Justice Center to be changed from the current heavy industrial zoning to be high density residential zoning. The applicant, Marincic, is interested in undergoing the subdivision process and has already submitted a sketch plat for a seven-phase subdivision consisting of approximately 233-269 lots. Toomer explained that the range for the number of lots comes from the possibility of making some lots smaller for town home development. She pointed out that most lots are 80x100 feet to allow for single family residential development, but lots could go to smaller to be 40x100 feet to allow for town home development.

"The applicant believes this zone change would better serve the community by helping to create affordable residential housing," Toomer said.

Commissioner Robb Slaughter said the location of the property isn't what he would consider to be the most logical choice, but added that it isn't his place to choose.

"It's nice to see some development potentially coming in with all that we have heard and the needs for housing that we're going to be seeing," Slaughter said.

During the public hearing for the resolution, Rick Marshall who owns a truck repair near the property expressed concerns. He asked what income level the development would be aimed at, and pointed out that prisoners released from the Justice Center walk down the highway every day, which could increase the crime rate for the housing development. He also added that a low income development could increase the crime rate of the area further. Marshall also raised questions about county building codes, the value of his own industrial property decreasing, and the existing services in the area, such as fire response.

Brian Marincic spoke to address some of the concerns that were raised. He explained that he has tried multiple times to develop a residential area, and that it's incredibly difficult to do, including trying to develop within the cities of Green River and Rock Springs. He pointed out that the area has water, sewer, power and gas services that are close enough to make it work.

"This piece of property is developable," he said.

Commissioner Island Richards said he appreciates and understands the concerns on both sides, but also believes there is opportunity for the developers to build strategically and provide properties consumers will want to purchase.

"I believe in a free market with consideration given to public safety," Richards said. "I can only think that 80 acres of nice residential development will be a positive to our community."

The commissioners also approved resolutions from Planning and Zoning regarding a proposed 80-foot cell tower in Rock Springs on behalf of Union Wireless. The tower was originally planned to be taller, but changed to be 80 feet, and was approved with certain conditions.

Chairman Keaton West was the only commissioner to vote against the approval of the resolutions, and he pointed out that he wants cell towers to be required to be more disguised to blend into the landscape better.

During the meeting, the commissioners also heard an annual update from Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. CEO Irene Richardson gave an overview of positive developments over the past year, noting that she would like to come back in the future to give the commissioners and even more detailed report when they have more time.

"We've had a really great year at the hospital," Richardson said.

She pointed out that Sweetwater Memorial was ranked #1 statewide in social responsibility, and highlighted achievements like the introduction of robotic surgery with the daVinci and Mako robots, a successful audit and accreditation, and successful events such as the annual Red Tie Gala.

Richardson also thanked the county commissioners for the support and funding that the county gives to the hospital. She noted that this funding helps the hospital maintain the building, which is over 40 years old, and which they hope to be able to maintain for years to come.

After the update, the commissioners discussed a Memorandum of Understanding between the hospital and the county that would affect the funding structure for the hospital. The MOU would set up a depreciation account where funds would be controlled by the county but earmarked for the hospital.

Richardson explained that the thought behind this structure was for the hospital to be able to carry over maintenance funds that weren't used and let them add up to be used for larger projects later. The commissioners questioned whether this was the best system, and ultimately decided to postpone the decision on the MOU in order to discuss it further and determine the best solution.