September 4, 2024 |
Photo – Map of Rawlins – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Rawlins governing body unsurprisingly approved the Bureau of Land Management’s zone change application, paving the way for a new firehouse to be constructed on the south side of the city.
The BLM petitioned the Rawlins Planning and Zoning Commission last month to change the zoning of its properties along Donnel and Jackson Streets. The lots were zoned for residential. BLM asked the city to rezone the properties as commercial to allow the federal agency to build a new fire station.
At the same time, BLM requested a special use permit to construct barracks to house off-duty firefighters on the same property. The planning commission recommended to approve both the zone change and special use permit.
At the August 20th Rawlins city council meeting, City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave explained why the zone change is necessary.
The Rawlins city council held a special meeting last Friday to decide whether to take the planning commission’s recommendation or not. After a public hearing for both applications in which no one spoke, Vice Mayor Steve Sanger motioned to approve BLM’s zone change application.
Councilman Bruce Seilaff seconded the vice mayor’s motion, and it passed.
Next, Vice Mayor Sanger motioned to approve BLM’s special use permit to construct a labor camp on the property.
Under Rawlins city ordinance, a labor camp may be constructed to house workers for a commercial property through a special use permit. With the permit in hand, the Bureau of Land Management can build permanent barracks east of the proposed fire station to house off-duty firefighters.
Councilman Seilaff seconded the vice mayor’s motion, and it too passed.
