The Sheridan City Planning Commission voted to recommend a rezoning of the property at 927 Coffeen Avenue (PL 24-35; Ordinance 2291) from B-1 (Business) to M-1 (Industrial), advancing the applicant Wyoming Downs’ request to City Council.

Planning staff explained the request followed review of a building-permit application for renovations at the former Ollie’s Pizza building. Kelly Schroeder said city staff determined the proposed primary use — gambling — was not listed among permitted B-1 uses and therefore the applicant was asked to pursue a rezoning or pursue other legal remedies. The applicant chose to file a rezone request to align the property’s zoning with the proposed use.

Schroeder told the commission that the property sits amid a mix of B-1 and M-1 zoning and that the Future Land Use map shows the area for commercial use; staff recommended approval because rezoning to M-1 is compatible with how South Coffeen Avenue has developed and because planned revisions to the M-1 district are intended to limit heavy industrial uses.

Wyoming Downs representatives said they prefer to remain in B-1 but pursued the rezone as a practical path forward and to bring the property into compliance rather than litigate. Tracy Laycock, general counsel for Wyoming Downs, appeared virtually and said the firm had invested in renovations and that the building permit had been issued with occupancy held pending rezoning.

Several nearby property owners and representatives, most prominently Legacy Pregnancy Center, urged the commission to table the request to allow more time for discussion and mitigation. Legacy’s board chair, Maureen McCaff, said the center — which faces Washington Park and provides programs for families and children — was notified only recently and is concerned about the breadth of M-1 zoning and potential future uses. Legacy asked the commission to delay the matter to allow more neighborhood outreach and negotiations on a privacy barrier.

Other residents and commenters raised concerns about the precedent of rezoning to accommodate a specific use, the proximity to park and pedestrian areas, and the risk that an M-1 designation could permit future industrial or other heavier uses. Wyoming Downs’ counsel and project representatives said they had engaged with Legacy and expressed willingness to discuss screening or a privacy fence.

After public comment and Commissioner discussion, the commission moved and conducted a roll-call vote. The commission chair announced the motion carried and that the rezone would be forwarded to City Council for final consideration (the rezone requires three readings at council). Staff reminded the room that a Planning Commission recommendation is advisory; City Council will make the final decision.

Planning Commission action: the commission voted to forward a recommendation to City Council to rezone 927 Coffeen Avenue from B-1 to M-1. The commission’s recommendation does not itself change the zoning; council will hold public readings before final action.