Ridge West Rezoning Proposal Draws Public Comment in Mills Council Meeting

MILLS, WY (October 22, 2025) — The City of Mills Council opened its regular session with a public hearing on the proposed rezoning of the Ridge West area, a staff-initiated measure to convert a parcel along Robertson Road from Urban Agriculture (UA) to Residential One (R1) zoning. The evening featured staff reports, community feedback, and a preview of next steps.

🔍 The Proposal: From Fields to Neighborhoods

City staff presented a plan to rezone Mount Nose No. 2, Lot 2A, a vacant grassland parcel situated west of Robertson Road near Wyoming Classical Academy. The goal is to support:

• Continuity in zoning with nearby neighborhoods like Robertson Heights.

• Infill development using existing municipal services (water, sewer, police, and fire).

• Single-family housing to meet the area's high demand.

• Alignment with the 2016 Natrona County Land Use Plan, which recommends development in this area to support selenium mitigation and infrastructure efficiency.

Staff emphasized that this move would prevent patchwork zoning, limit urban sprawl, and provide smoother transitions between residential and rural zones.

🗣 Public Speaks: Concerns Over Fencing, Density, Drainage & Taxes

Several community members stepped up to express concerns and reservations, though none outright opposed the concept of housing.

Dan Sheringer, owner of an adjacent horse boarding business, shared the following:

• Concerns over safety and liability if children from new homes approach his horses.

• A request for a buffer or secondary fencing to prevent property line issues.

• Worries about increased taxes and traffic complications.

• A reminder of past drainage issues and the need for stormwater plans that won’t redirect water onto his land.

Mary Peterson, another nearby landowner, stated she had once agreed to an easement based on the idea of low-density, large-lot homes. She said the current plan, with potentially 85+ lots, is far denser than what was originally discussed and would dramatically change the rural character of the area.

🧑‍⚖️ Council’s Response: Listening, But Limited in Scope

Council members noted:

• No specific fencing requirements are currently mandated beyond standard code, but HOA-level fencing rules may apply.

• Roundabout discussions along Robertson Road are still conceptual; no final designs have been approved.

• Property taxes for adjacent rural properties are unlikely to be directly affected by nearby zoning changes.

• While verbal easement agreements and past developer conversations may have shaped landowners' expectations, they do not bind future zoning decisions.

Council and engineering reps acknowledged that fencing concerns (especially regarding horses and fence materials) were valid and should be considered during development stages.

Drainage engineers noted the current runoff patterns would remain mostly unchanged.

📅 What’s Next?

The council confirmed that another public hearing will be held in the coming weeks before any final vote is made.

Citizens were encouraged to attend the upcoming hearing, ask questions, and submit any additional concerns.

📝 Takeaway

This is a case study in how growth meets tradition: balancing the city’s need for housing and infrastructure efficiency with residents’ desire to maintain rural space and long-standing operations.

As Mills continues to grow, these kinds of zoning decisions will become more frequent—and community input will be more important than ever.

🧭 Stay tuned to Casper Buzz for updates on the Ridge West project and future council actions.