Developer rescinds 98-acre lot from city annexation, zoning process; others advance

The Cheyenne City Council's Public Services Committee recently advanced several proposed city annexations and rezoning requests to the full council, with a second round of approval scheduled for next week. Among these, the 3,500-acre Highlands lot, slated for a Microsoft data center campus, received committee approval for annexation and rezoning to permit data center development.

Despite concerns voiced by Councilor Pete Laybourn and the public regarding the welfare of residents and the scale of change, the committee members largely agreed that property rights supersede public concerns when developers comply with city code. The decision allows the Microsoft data center project to proceed to further council votes.

Conversely, a separate annexation request for the 98-acre Cheyenne 98 lot, submitted by Westside Property Investment Company Inc. on behalf of landowner Garrett Properties LLC for light industrial zoning, was rescinded. This occurred after the proposal faced a recommendation for denial from the city's Planning Commission due to a failed vote. Committee Chair Michelle Aldrich indicated the developer requested the withdrawal to regroup and conduct more community meetings.

The remaining approved ordinances, including those for the Highlands lot, will continue through the legislative process, with final approval anticipated by July 6 if they pass subsequent council and committee votes. Updates to the PlanCheyenne Future Land Use Map for the Highlands property were postponed to align with the annexation and zoning process.