UPDATE: The County’s application for property owners went live at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Access the application here.
JACKSON, Wyo. — On Wednesday, June 12, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) unanimously approved an “Emergency Operation Plan” (EOP) in response to the Teton Pass closure, which will allow, in certain cases, for use permits to be waived in order to provide temporary shelter for those in need.
During the meeting, Chief Deputy County Attorney Keith Gingery explained to the BCC that an emergency declaration defines that temporary shelter can be allowed in all zones without going through the standard application processes. He said that under this operation plan, Land Development Regulations (LDRs) can be waved during a fixed period of time.
“Temporary shelter uses are a part of the emergency response to the Pass closure,” Gingery told the Board. “Approval of this protocol will outline how temporary shelter will be approved on a case by case basis.”
According to Teton County, community partners offering potential housing solutions must be approved by the County before they can host anyone. Certain standards are required on emergency shelter properties, including adequate site entrances and exits. Sanitary facilities must be provided on sites. In addition, landowner applicants must comply with campfire restrictions and all trash needs to be properly secured in bear resistant containers. The BCC also discussed that applicants in need of shelter must be residents of Teton County or Lincoln County.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation has recently announced that a temporary detour will be constructed in as little as two weeks. Gingery explained that the EOP will be revoked as soon as the Teton Pass opens to commuter traffic. In response, County Commissioner Wes Gardner proposed for the emergency response to extend throughout the summer.
“I want to caution that the intermediate solution could cause a lot of traffic issues,” Gardner said. “Are we able to implement the declaration until the end of summer season when the pressure will really release for the entire work force?”
Gingery explained that the EOP can remain in place or be extended, even while the temporary road is in place.
“There may be amended declarations as the next few weeks go by,” Gingery said. “I’m guessing they will close the Pass again in the future to do bigger construction and we need to be nimble.”
Emergency Management Coordinator Rich Ochs added that restrictions on the temporary road could impact how effective the detour will be to commuters.
“The declaration will go into effect until you decide there is no longer an emergency,” Ochs said.
For the duration of the EOP, the County will define temporary shelter as a mobile home or a camping unit. County Commissioner Greg Epstein urged the board to include Legacy Lodge, a 53 unit workforce building located in Rafter J, to be used as short-term housing for commuting workers.
“Why can’t we set up Legacy Lodge as an emergency shelter?” Epstein asked. “This is about people and taking care of our community in an expedited fashion. People aren’t interested in camping and this is a wonderful solution to get around that and add some relief.”
According to Gingery, Legacy Lodge has not completed conditions of its Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or provided the County with the building’s fire and livability inspections. Gingery did add that an additional resolution to the EOP could possibly make the Legacy Lodge units available for short-term shelter.
Planning and Building Services Director Chris Neubecker suggested that the Town could respond quickly to the needed Legacy Lodge inspections. Additionally, Gardner asked for potential housing partners to be allowed flexibility during the crisis and suggested giving a three-month emergency CUP to the Legacy Lodge.
County Commissioner Luther Propst directed staff to report back with possible protocol options for implementing emergency temporary housing at Legacy Lodge. Luther added that the BCC will put this item back on the agenda for resolution during their meeting on Monday, June 17.
At the close of the meeting, BCC Chairwoman Natalie Macker moved to approve an amendment to the County’s emergency resolution “to develop a protocol for how shelters will be approved.” The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the amendment.
