Boise, Idaho developer Third Eye Development LLC and a local landowner applied for a rezoning of a parcel west of Afton that would change its designation from agricultural to an R1 status––with an eye to developing it for a fly-in residential area, presumably similar to the one in Alpine. Afton Planning and Zoning Committee voted to pass the request forward to the town council and Mayor Inskeep Monday evening on a 3-1 vote, with one member abstaining.

In its regular meeting Tuesday evening, March 8, Afton Town Council considered the rezoning request and denied it on a 3-1 vote. 

The rezoning proposal would have been the first step of many towards gaining approval for the potential “through-the-fence” development, but the plan is, in effect, stopped in its tracks without the approval of the rezoning to an R1 designation.

Afton town administrator, Violet Sanderson explained, “Currently, the property is zoned for agricultural use (ACR). Agricultural use obviously allows for people to work the ground in an agricultural manner, as well as allows one family residence on the parcel. When a developer is attempting to change the zone from agricultural or anything else to R1, it means they’re essentially going to attempt to develop for the purpose of having single-family home ownership on individual lots within that subdivision.”

The rezoning application initially came to Planning and Zoning last month, and even though there were enough members present to make up a quorum, the members decided to table the motion. During that meeting, Planning and Zoning Committee members took public comments. According to Sanderson, “We had plenty of comments from surrounding property owners that were against it. We don’t currently have a lot of public comments that are for it.” 

Residents who live nearby offered several comments both for and against the proposal Tuesday night as well. 

Owner of an adjacent property, Mike Garner explained several of his concerns: big buildings in proximity to current residences, the added lighting, added safety concerns and noise from jets coming in. He said, “They’re going to be large jets because there’s an 80-foot gate. We’re going to have additional traffic on Papworth, which is a nice, quiet road right now. Once we let this go, there’s no going back.”

Another resident explained she valued the culture and quality of life in small-town Afton, Wyoming. She viewed the future development as an encroachment on that way of life.

Town councilman Jeff Jensen, who voted for the rezoning step, explained that he would rather see areas closer to town developed, leaving outer areas in the county more for agricultural pursuits.

Several others spoke on behalf of the landowner, saying that this was her land and believed she had a right to do with it what she saw fit. Essentially, this was her 401K. 

Third Eye Development President, Alexander Heap, was on hand for the meeting, and after the vote expressed frustration with the decision, but declined any further specific comments.