HomeMy WebLinkAbout108 CUP 26 Ridgeline Timber BCC Staff Report Complete
108 CUP 26 BCC
LINCOLN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
STAFF REPORT Conditional Use Permit Application
HEARING TIME AND DATE: 10:00 a.m., April 8, 2026 LOCATION: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner Boardroom 3rd Floor, 925 Sage Ave., Kemmerer, Wyoming & Via Video Conference Afton Branch Office Building Conference Room, 421 Jefferson St., Afton, Wyoming FILE # 108 CUP 26
APPLICANTS: J & J Land Company, LLC PROJECT NAME: Ridgeline Timber COMMUNITY PLAN AREA: Alpine ZONING: Mixed REPRESENTATIVE: Jared Duckstein
PLANNER: Ken Kuluski PARCEL ID: 3619-032-00-004 _____________________________________________________________________________
PROPOSAL: A Conditional Use Permit for a proposed light manufacturing use consisting of a prefabrication and sales facility for construction products, including timber frame components and other construction materials. The proposed use will occupy approximately 4 ± acres of the site and will
include a building for fabrication, assembly, and sales of construction components. The remaining 12 ±
acres of the property will be used to support the manufacturing operation and may include additional accessory buildings, outdoor storage of materials, and areas for equipment and operational needs associated with the light manufacturing shop.
LOCATION: Located 1.5 miles south of Alpine, Wyoming, in T34N, R118W, Section 20.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Vicinity Map 2. Conditional Use Statement
2. Site Plans and Attachments
4. Agency Correspondence 5. Public Correspondence
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends that the Board of County Commissioners APPROVE File #108 CUP 26 Ridgeline Timber, a Conditional Use Permit, with:
• Findings of Approval A. through D.
• Conditions of Approval 1. through 11.
108 CUP 26 BCC
FINDINGS OF APPROVAL:
A. The proposed use, with conditions is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Lincoln County Comprehensive Plan. B. The proposed use, with conditions is consistent with the provisions of the Lincoln County Land Use Regulations, specifically: Chapter 3, Section 3.1 Conditional Use Permit Procedures. C. The proposal, with conditions is consistent with the provisions of Wyoming Statute 18-5-203
providing for Board of County Commissioners authority for zoning regulation of buildings and uses of land. D. The proposed use, with conditions, will not substantially impair the appropriate use of neighboring property; and will serve the public need, convenience and welfare.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
1. The Applicant shall comply with all of the County, State and Federal laws and regulations.
2. Compliance with agency requirements: The developer/owner shall obtain any and all County, State, and Federal permits, licenses, and other approvals for the construction and/or operation of the project. This may include: Local Fire District, Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and
Electrical Safety (State Fire Marshal), Wyoming State Engineer’s Office (SEO), Wyoming
Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Wyoming Game and Fish, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and/or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
3. Applicant shall provide evidence prior to operation that site access is in compliance Wyoming
Department of Transportation (WYDOT) request for change of use.
4. The Applicant shall have an annual Lincoln County Weed & Pest inspection and shall follow the mitigation / removal of noxious weed plan furnished by Lincoln County Weed and Pest.
5. The Applicant shall follow the guidelines as outlined in the Game and Fish letter dated March 9, 2026 (attached) 6. All buildings require appropriate permits issued by Lincoln County prior to construction / temporary
placement. This shall include a State Fire Marshal review for buildings greater than 5,000 S.F.
7. Exterior lighting shall comply with Lincoln County Land Use Regulations Section 6.10 Lighting in order to minimize fugitive light, including the provision that the outdoor/exterior lights be hooded in design with no light source extending below the hood;
8. All building and improvement setbacks shall comply with Lincoln County Land Use Regulations
Section 6.20 b (3) in regard to the US Highway 89 right of way.
9. Signage approved under this permit is limited to the sign affixed to the primary building. All additional signage must obtain a Lincoln County Sign Permit.
10. This permit will have a total of five (5) years to begin construction, temporary construction
/operation modulars are authorized with additional Zoning and Development permitting.
11. This permit is to operate the uses outlined in the project description. Significant alterations from the uses described in the application shall void this permit.
108 CUP 26 BCC
AGENCY CORRESPONDENCE: WYDOT: has no objections to the proposed lumber yard and offers the following comments. The applicant must submit a detailed site plan, the anticipated vehicle type, and usage (daily & peak hour traffic) generated by the proposed development. For a change-in-use from field to commercial access, the applicant must obtain a new access permit from WYDOT. The applicant should anticipate consolidating
the two existing field approaches into a single access point.
FIRE MARSHAL: This is a building with public access and if it is over 5000 square feet would be
required to be permitted through our agency. GAME AND FISH:
Regarding Elk:
A 30-foot setback from the current location of the GRWHMA elk fence in which no facilities occur. The setback will allow annual fence maintenance and promote unrestricted movement of elk and other big game species along the elk fence to the wildlife jump out and ultimately onto the GRWHMA.
Maintain unrestricted line of sight from US Highway 89 to the elk jump out. Line of sight is essential for
those elk that are crossing the highway to move directly and unhindered to the elk jump out and onto the
GRWHMA. Consider assisting with the relocation of the elk jump out to allow for construction of the lumber yard while still maintaining some level of elk movement to the GRWHMA. Department personnel welcome the
opportunity to discuss this option in greater detail with the proponent.
Avoid interior fencing to the extent practicable Regarding water quality and riparian area: Ensuring that all sediments and other pollutants are contained within the boundaries of the work area.
Storing or depositing pollutants (e.g., topsoil, silt, sand, gravel, solid wastes, slash, debris, fuels,
lubricants, or chemicals) outside the active flood plain, areas immediately adjacent to riparian areas, or
natural drainages (e.g., draws, land surface depressions or other areas where overland flow could concentrate materials and carry pollutants directly into surface waters). Cleaning, fueling, and maintaining vehicles and equipment at designated off-site staging areas located at
least 500 feet from riparian or wetland habitat.
Preserving existing vegetation wherever possible.
Promptly revegetating disturbed areas that could contribute sediment to surface waters, and/or stabilizing all exposed surfaces with mulch or soil binders. Utilizing rolled erosion control products, temporary slope drains, fiber rolls, compost socks, and/or silt
fences where appropriate.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
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File No 108 CUP 26
Ridgeline Timber
J & J Land Company, LLC
Prepared using available data by Katie Gipson on 5 February 2026. Map is for informational purposes only and in no way represents an official survey of land.
March 9, 2026
WER 15280.01
Lincoln County Planning and Zoning Conditional Use Permit Application Lumber Yard Lincoln County
Ken Kuluski Planner Office of Planning and Development Lincoln County 61 E 5th Avenue Ste. 701
Afton, WY 83110
planning@lincolncountywy.gov Dear Mr. Kuluski,
The staff of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (Department) has reviewed the proposed
Conditional Use Permit application for a lumber yard in Section 3 T36N R119W. The Department is statutorily charged with managing and protecting all Wyoming wildlife (W.S. 23-1-103). Pursuant to our mission, we offer the following comments for your consideration.
The proposed project is a lumber yard with commercial access off U.S. Highway 89. The
Department reviewed a proposed Planned Unit Development in 2024 on the same parcel and many of our comments from that previous review are included here. The lumber yard would be positioned between the highway and the 3,041.6-acre Greys River Wildlife Habitat Management Area (GRWHMA). The GRWHMA is located within elk crucial winter-yearlong range and elk
parturition area. The GRWHMA has a number of area-specific recommendations, which can been
viewed at this link https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Public-Access/WHMA/WHMA/greys-river, but most importantly it is closed to human presence from December 1 through May 1 at 6AM. Elk access the GRWHMA through the proposed lumber yard.
Protect big game – The proposed lumber yard is in a unique area given the presence of the
GRWHMA, crucial winter-yearlong range, parturition area, proximity to the highway, and the surrounding level of disturbance. The Department recommends avoidance of construction-related activities during the crucial winter period (November 15-April 30) and the parturition period (May 1-June 15) to avoid impacts to big game.
There is also substantial elk movement each fall from the Alpine wetland and Palisades Reservoir through the proposed project site to the GRWHMA. The proposed project site is used by up to 20% (~100 individuals) of all elk that migrate to, and spend the winter on, the GRWHMA. Elk
Ken Kuluski March 9, 2026 Page 2 of 4 – WER 15280.01
access the GRWHMA via a wildlife jump out that is adjacent to the proposed project site.
Consequently, the proposed project site provides a key link for elk moving from the Alpine Wetlands and Palisades Reservoir to the GRWHMA. Elk that have an unrestricted travel lane from the west side of U.S. Highway 89 to the elk jump are less likely to remain in the highway right-of-way and pose a safety hazard to motorists. To minimize project-related impacts to elk movement,
we suggest:
• A 30-foot setback from the current location of the GRWHMA elk fence in which no facilities occur. The setback will allow annual fence maintenance, and promote unrestricted movement of elk and other big game species along the elk fence to the wildlife jump out
and ultimately onto the GRWHMA.
• Maintain unrestricted line of sight from US Highway 89 to the elk jump out. Line of sight is essential for those elk that are crossing the highway to move directly and unhindered to the elk jump out and onto the GRWHMA.
• Consider assisting with the relocation of the elk jump out to allow for construction of the lumber yard while still maintaining some level of elk movement to the GRWHMA. Department personnel welcome the opportunity to discuss this option in greater detail with the proponent.
• Avoid interior fencing to the extent practicable.
Avoid feeding of and expect potential damage from wildlife – Given that numerous big game species and other wildlife inhabit and may move through the proposed development, the Department recommends the following:
• The proponent understand that wildlife inhabits, winters, and/or moves through the area.
Wildlife may damage ornamental shrubs, trees, fences, and/or structures. The Department
will not accept compensation claims for damages caused by wildlife.
• Feeding of wildlife be prohibited.
Prevent exposed or loose garbage – Similar area developments have issues with garbage not being properly disposed of, contained, and spreading. Garbage disposal should be regulated to
prevent wildlife exposure, minimize the potential for conflict, and prevent litter from spreading to nearby areas including, but not limited to the GRWHMA. Avoid establishment and spread of noxious weeds and IAGs – Noxious weeds and invasive
annual grasses (IAGs) can cause significant harm to the ecosystem when introduced. Ground-disturbing activities can create an environment that facilitates establishment by unwanted plants. They significantly reduce the quality of wildlife habitat and their presence increases the probability of catastrophic wildfire. The potential economic impacts to the State of Wyoming are severe, and once these species become established, eradication is difficult and costly. Prevention of
establishment remains the best way to keep Wyoming's habitats free of noxious weeds and IAGs.
The most significant known threat to Wyoming is from cheatgrass, medusahead, and ventenata. To prevent the spread of noxious weeds and IAGs, we recommend the following:
Ken Kuluski March 9, 2026 Page 3 of 4 – WER 15280.01
• Prevent introduction and establishment by cleaning vehicles and equipment prior to movement to a new location in order to minimize the potential for transporting seeds.
• Use certified weed-free gravel, rock or soil products for landscaping or post-construction restoration efforts. Contact the Lincoln County Weed and Pest District for more
information and to locate area suppliers of weed-free products.
• Work with land managers to develop and implement a plan to assess, treat, and monitor for noxious weeds and invasive plants at the project scale and in the adjacent landscape where they are present.
• Work with the Lincoln County Weed and Pest District to implement and fund long-term plans for successful restoration of disturbed sites. Additional information on prevention and treatment options for these grasses can be found at https://www.invasivegrasses.com/.
Maintain water quality and riparian area function – Given the proximity to the Alpine Wetlands and Palisades Reservoir, sediment, untreated water, and various pollutants can
negatively impact water quality and habitat for aquatic wildlife. The Department recommends that Best Management Practices be used to control erosion and prevent these materials from reaching water bodies, in order to minimize impacts to aquatic resources. Thus, we recommend:
• Ensuring that all sediments and other pollutants are contained within the boundaries of the
work area.
• Storing or depositing pollutants (e.g., topsoil, silt, sand, gravel, solid wastes, slash, debris, fuels, lubricants, or chemicals) outside the active flood plain, areas immediately adjacent to riparian areas, or natural drainages (e.g., draws, land surface depressions or other areas where overland flow could concentrate materials and carry pollutants directly into surface
waters).
• Cleaning, fueling, and maintaining vehicles and equipment at designated off-site staging areas located at least 500 feet from riparian or wetland habitat.
• Preserving existing vegetation wherever possible.
• Promptly revegetating disturbed areas that could contribute sediment to surface waters,
and/or stabilizing all exposed surfaces with mulch or soil binders.
• Utilizing rolled erosion control products, temporary slope drains, fiber rolls, compost socks, and/or silt fences where appropriate.
Department personnel would appreciate an opportunity to visit the site with the project proponent to better describe wildlife movements in the area and discuss effective minimization measures.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment. If you have any questions or concerns please contact
Ross Crandall, Habitat Protection Biologist, at (307) 367-5615.
Ken Kuluski March 9, 2026 Page 4 of 4 – WER 15280.01
Sincerely,
Will Schultz
Habitat Protection Supervisor
WS/rc cc: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chris Wichmann, Wyoming Department of Agriculture