Cheyenne’s 1,260-acre Cox Ranch annexation stalls after data center outcry

The Cheyenne City Council Public Services Committee recently advanced a contentious proposal to annex and rezone nearly 1,260 acres of the Cox Ranch property with no recommendation, following extensive public opposition. Residents of the neighboring Rolling Hills area voiced significant concerns over a potential data center project on the land, represented by Tom Glissmeyer of Viawest Group. Concerns focused on threats to local water supplies, wildlife, neighborhood character, and the impact on Wyoming's natural landscape. Attorney Gay Woodhouse also raised issues regarding a historic family mausoleum and alleged that her clients were "duped" into selling land for contiguity. Additionally, resident Charles Miller questioned the legality of rezoning such a large area for industrial use when the master plan does not yet permit it. The motions to approve the annexation and zoning ordinances failed to achieve majority support, ensuring the items will proceed to the full City Council without a positive endorsement from the committee. Separately, a proposed ordinance to revise local wastewater discharge limits was postponed by the committee to allow the Environmental Protection Agency to begin its public review. Board of Public Utilities Director Brad Brooks expressed frustration over the timing. The committee also recommended overruling the Cheyenne Planning Commission to redesignate the Stansberry Farms property from mixed-use residential to mixed-use employment for light industrial zoning, citing existing industrial surroundings. Lastly, an amendment to reduce public park space in the Sweetgrass Planned Unit Development was rejected after resident criticism, with Charles Miller calling it the "privatization of promised community assets."