Robbins land use change given 'do pass'

The Hot Springs County Land Use Planning Commission approved a land use change for Frank Robbins at their meeting last week, passing it up to the County Commissioners with a “do pass” rating. The commissioners will consider the change at their July 2 meeting.

Robbins’ application requests a change from residential to institutional in order to build a church building with a seating capacity of about 100 persons along with an onsite counseling ministry.

The land is on the southwest side of the highway at 245 Hwy. 20 W.

Robbins plans to construct a 60’ x 120’ building to house the Set Free Church. The proposed parking area will allow for about 35 vehicles.

In addition to the regular church activities, Robbins plans to conduct daytime counseling services for his faith-based recovery program. There are currently 11 people in the program and Robbins indicated that is about the maximum he can accommodate.

While his recovery program is a residency program, no people will be residing at the church, neither staff nor clients.

There may be some brief impacts to the highway before and after the weekly church services, but WYDOT may need to upgrade the classification of the entrance to commercial from residential.

The planning commission determined there shouldn’t be much of a visual impact in the area, but did propose five conditions for final approval.

Any exterior lighting shall be shielded and downcast and an exterior lighting plan will need to be submitted for approval.

A weed management plan will also need to be submitted for approval and Robbins will have to provide for regular solid waste removal. Any containers will need to be screened, covered or protected to prevent blowing trash.

The fourth condition is there will be no one living on site; church and ministry programs only.

If other activities need to be added, it will be at the discretion of the planning head, Bo Bowman if it needs an additional land use change.

Before submitting the final plat for review, Robbins will need to get the upgraded access permit for the highway entrance from WYDOT.