The planning commission ordinances regarding fences and home occupations were read for the second time at the Oct. 20 Saratoga Town Council meeting. While the fencing ordinance No. 2015-831 passed the second reading, the home occupation ordinance No. 2015-832 had no motion on it.
The fencing ordinance was subject to questions about grandfathered fences in the case of repairs at the last reading. The planning commission agreed that there was wording in existing ordinances that state that fences may maintain grandfather status as long as the damage does not exceed 60 percent of the structure, at which the structure must be brought back to code, as councilperson Will Faust reported.
Ordinance No. 832 had some significant changes including daycare and nursery listed as no longer prohibited and moved to permitted under Wyoming state regulations of childcare, and the fundamental changes will be brought before the council at the third and final meeting, Faust reported. Other changes include removing language that defines examples “such as lawn care and tree services,” as to not limit themselves.
The town council tabled the second reading for the home occupation ordinance because of comments from planning commissioner Chris Shannon regarding zoning. Shannon said the “main thrust is to make accessory use in residential zone.” According to Shannon, the ordinance should be moved from a special permit process to address zones directly, including an accessory use for explicitly permitted home occupations for each residential zone.
The South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Service (SCWEMS) Joint Powers Board has been approved by the Saratoga Town Council to go after grant funding without going through a fiscal body after an amendment to their ordinances was read. This amendment also adds the town of Hanna to the list of SCWEMS entities.
Glee Johnson went before the council on behalf of the Saratoga Community Garden Board about the receipt of a United States Department of Agriculture grant for permaculture mounds. The mounds are hügelkultur (translates to “mound culture”) which, according to the Permaculture Research Institute, is a gardening and farming technique where woody debris are used as a resource. Hügelkultur mimics the nutrient cycling found in a natural woodland by utilizing the woody debris to soak up rainfall and release it slowly into the surrounding soil.
According to Johnson, the town of Saratoga is a fiscal sponsor for the project, which will take place over the next two to three years and employ three local students for maintenance. The hügelkultur project is focused on growing the crop yield with these mounds, focusing on heritage fruits and vegetables. Work on the mounds will start in the spring.
Director of Public Works Jon Winters reported that the damaged variable-frequency drives from the water well, seven total, have been evaluated for repair and estimated that they would cost approximately $1,300-1,400 each. The trailer for storage of the recently purchased sewer camera has been approved for purchase by the town council. Councilperson Richard Raymer said “It (the sewer camera) is a lot of money. We’d better make it last as long as possible.” The camera was due to arrive last Thursday.
The Platte Valley Kiwanis Society members Connie McGuire and Bill Rathbun were recognized by Mayor Ed Glode for 25 years of community service to the Platte Valley, recognizing their service improving the lives of people of all ages. “Bill dedicates time to improving lives of children by reading to preschoolers and encouraging youth to showcase their performances in the Stars of Tomorrow talent show. Connie has been instrumental in improving the lives of seniors in the community with special events on holidays at the Saratoga Care Center,” Glode said, adding that they have both been dedicated leaders in Platte Valley Kiwanis.
The next Saratoga Town Council meeting will take place Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Saratoga Town Hall.
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