Natrona County commissioners deny Ben Hansel's urban agriculture zoning request

The Natrona County Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing on August 5, 2025, to discuss a proposed zoning change from urban residential to urban agriculture for a property located off Casper Mountain Road. The request, made by Ben Hansel, involves a 17.81-acre vacant lot in the Eagle View Simple Subdivision.

During the meeting, staff presented the case, noting that the property is situated in a growth management area for the City of Casper and is surrounded by various zoning classifications, including residential and commercial. The Planning and Zoning Commission had previously recommended against the change, citing concerns about "spot zoning," which could provide advantages to one property owner that are not available to others in the area.

Hansel, who owns a significant portion of the surrounding land, argued that the property is better suited for agricultural use due to its geographical challenges for residential development. He emphasized that he had no objections from neighboring property owners regarding the proposed change and questioned the necessity of requiring a majority of landowners in the vicinity to agree to the zoning change.

Despite Hansel's arguments and the absence of opposition from the public during the hearing, the commissioners ultimately voted to deny the zoning change. The decision was based on the potential implications of spot zoning and the need to maintain consistency in zoning regulations across the area.

Following the zoning discussion, the meeting transitioned to a new topic regarding a resolution to regulate heavy vehicle traffic on designated residential access roads in Natrona County, indicating ongoing efforts to address public safety concerns in the region.