JACKSON, Wyo. — Town Council approved the first reading of ordinances related to the emergency building moratorium on Monday, Oct. 21, along with a new amendment that will now require all larger development projects to provide in-depth environmental, traffic and historic studies.
Town will now have the ability to impose mitigation measures on all proposed buildings over 30,000 sq. feet that could potentially cause adverse impacts to the community’s resources. A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) will provide public and site-specific analysis of a structure’s impact, according to the building moratorium redline draft.
According to the staff report, all applicants wanting to develop a property will need to include studies that address anticipated impacts on traffic congestion, environmental resources, wildlife permeability, historic resources, stormwater runoff, groundwater quality and other important Town resources.
“After the first reading of ordinances related to the emergency moratorium, I would argue that the Town of Jackson is in a better place today than we were six months ago related to unsustainable growth,” Councilor Jim Rooks told Buckrail. “I am most proud of the fact that we can finally include environmental and traffic/infrastructure reviews into all big buildings that require a sketch plan.”
Rooks added that while the new Land Development Regulations more adequately address big buildings, there are still long-term issues that need to be addressed, including a full update to the 2:1 workforce bonus and design guidelines.
“This has been a difficult, complex and controversial process that is resulting in imperfect results,” Rooks said. “I don’t think anyone in our community will be completely thrilled by the results, but we are making progress in the right general direction.”
Town Council welcomes public input during its second reading of building ordinances on Monday, Nov. 4.
