CASPER, Wyoming – The Casper City Council on Tuesday approved the city government’s revised approach to rezoning four city-owned properties on nine acres of undeveloped land off Robertson Road with the goal of selling them to developers.

Earlier this month, the council was reminded that previous calls for proposals had been unsuccessful because bids were too low and developers cited design restrictions in current zoning for planned residential development.

The Council agreed that the two properties facing Trevett Lane, which provides access to the river jetty at Robertson Road Bridge, could be zoned for the development of small businesses, such as a general store.

Housing could be created on the larger plots along Robertson Road to the north, as the council says there is an ongoing need in the community.

Liz Becher, the city’s director of community development, said at a work session Tuesday that community feedback helped staff agree on a recommendation for the R-3 residential zoning, which would include single-family homes and multi-family housing, rather than the densely populated residential areas that had raised some concerns.

Councilman Kyle Gamroth said he has heard his own concerns from residents that increased traffic would overburden the roads, which were built to county specifications. There are already bottlenecks at certain times of day when traffic tries to get from Trevett Lane onto Robertson Road, as well as at the intersection with CY Avenue, he said.

Becher said staff reviewed an April traffic analysis that found Robertson Road was at about 50% capacity. Gamroth asked Becher to further refine the study to include traffic conditions on Trevett Lane.

Councilman Michael Bond agreed on the traffic issue and said the feedback on a supermarket was less than enthusiastic. Gamroth said he had heard “vehement” opposition to the gas station idea.

City Manager Carter Napier said traffic studies would be required if a specific development proposal was presented to council.

Gamroth also inquired about the possibility of leaving the property as it is.

“We know we have a need for residential development in this area, particularly in terms of potential entry-level housing, affordable housing, workforce housing, etc.,” Napier said. He added that there has been some interest from small business owners in the area and that general development has been recommended in the city’s development plans.

The current zoning strategy still needs to receive approval from the Planning and Zoning Committee and go through three readings in Council.

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