Zone change in part of Archer Complex could support fueling stations, mobile data centers

The Laramie County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an update to the zoning for a section of the Archer Complex, located east of Cheyenne, Wyoming. This change expands potential future uses for the northernmost sections, known as the Gateway and Interstate Transition Zones, to include truck stops, electric vehicle charging stations, mobile data centers, and mechanic facilities near Interstate 80.

County Commission Chair Gunnar Malm stated that these updates are exciting and align with the original intent of the planned urban development (PUD) at Archer, which aimed to incorporate both public and private investment, bringing amenities to the area's residents and visitors. The 85-acre section designated for these new uses was previously undeveloped, and the new zoning, made possible by an approved county sewer connection project, opens it up to energy and industrial investment.

However, the decision was met with some resident disapproval. Cindy Lindmier expressed concerns about placing charging stations and data storage centers in an area primarily intended for recreation and family activities, fearing increased truck traffic and strain on facilities. Peter Howard, a resident adjacent to the property, echoed these sentiments, arguing that the change deviates from the complex's original design as a community asset, and predicted that noise, light, and traffic would make the area less inviting. Despite the opposition, the zone change was approved, though no specific site plans are currently in place, leaving it to private developers to propose facilities within the newly permitted uses.