CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Laramie County Board of Commissioners will hold public hearings Tuesday, Jan. 21 to discuss proposed vacations of sections of Road 103 and Knowlwood Road, two public rights-of-way located in different parts of the county.
The hearings, scheduled during the board’s regular meeting at 3:30 p.m. in the historic courthouse at 310 W. 19th St., will address concerns about public access, safety and potential development in areas affected by the proposed closures.
Vacating a road involves officially removing the public right-of-way designation, effectively turning it into private property. This process allows the landowner to restrict public access, make improvements or maintain the area without county oversight. Road vacations are often requested to address security concerns, reduce maintenance responsibilities or enable private land development.
Road 103 vacation
The petition for Road 103, also known as McLees Road, requests the vacation of a 1.4-mile section in the northwestern area of the county. The road, established in 1923, primarily provides access to ranch properties and has been subject to limited annual maintenance by the county.
The petitioner, Bonnie Reider, owns most of the property impacted by the proposed closure, according to a report by BenchMark Engineers. She has faced challenges with vandalism and trespassing at her property, including a hunting camp located near the road. County regulations prohibit locking gates on public roadways, which prompted Reider to submit the petition to vacate the road, allowing her to secure access.
While the report recommends granting the vacation, it notes the road does not provide direct access to state or federal lands. However, concerns about setting a precedent for locked gates on public roads remain.
Knowlwood Road vacation
In Briarwood Ranchettes, located west of Cheyenne, a petition seeks to vacate a 685-foot section of Knowlwood Road. The road, originally platted in 1973, has not been fully constructed and was never accepted for county maintenance.
The proposed vacation has drawn concerns from residents, as Knowlwood Road could serve as a secondary access point for the 32-lot subdivision, according to a report by BenchMark Engineers. The report highlights the potential benefits of having a second access in emergencies, such as flooding or snow, as the existing route through Smoking Oak Road could become impassable.
Some residents also allege that the petition was filed to block plans to construct and develop the road, which could allow for the development of additional vacant lots. The report recommends denying the petition, citing public safety and the high cost of alternative access routes.
Public input encouraged
Residents are encouraged to attend the hearings and provide input on how the proposed vacations could impact the community. The commissioners’ decisions will weigh the balance of private landowners’ requests against the public’s access and safety needs.
For more information or to attend the meeting virtually, visit the county’s website at www.laramiecountywy.gov.
The Laramie County Board of Commissioners meets in regular session the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The meetings are held in the Commissioner’s Board Room on the third floor of the Historic Courthouse, 310 W. 19th St. in Cheyenne, and begin at 3:30 p.m. Reports can be found below.