JACKSON, Wyo. — Town Council passed a motion unanimously on Tuesday evening to move forward with the requested annexation of the United States Forest Service land on Nelson Drive.
The annexation would result in the 3.15-acre parcel associated with the proposed Nelson Drive housing development to fall under the Town’s jurisdiction, which would allow for extending existing roadways and building sewer and water connections for the development.
For the motion to pass, six key conditions must be met. For example, the annexation of the area should be found to be for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the persons residing in the area, and the area sought to be annexed must be contiguous or adjacent to the Town.
Public comment and council discussion was relatively uneventful. One Jackson resident requested the Town build speed bumps and storm water drainage on extended roads and enforce a 15 mph speed limit in the annexed area should it be approved.
Judd Grossman, another resident who spoke during public comment, opposed the annexation. “I think that the Town shouldn’t be annexing forest — federal wild land — for the purpose of facilitating its destruction by permanent development.”
Following the approval, staff must now present three readings of the annexation ordinance. The first will occur at the Feb. 2 regular Town Council meeting. Annexation is related to but separate from the conversation regarding the development of the Nelson Drive housing project.
This is not the first time the Town has annexed a parcel of land. In September, 2024, the Town annexed Russ Garaman Park to be able to provide basic services to the area including police services and municipal code application.
