BOCCC deny subdivision application from PVHP

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) denied an application for subdivision from the Platte Valley Healthcare Project (PVHP) on May 5 following a public hearing. The application for subdivision, reviewed by the Carbon County Planning Commission in April, had been for property south of Saratoga between the United States Forest Service and the Whistle Pig. 

That property, at one time, had been announced as the future site of the North Platte Valley Medical Center. Recently, however, it was announced by the PVHP that the site for the proposed critical access hospital had been moved. Part of that move, it appears, was due to legal issues surrounding the property south of Saratoga.

“Upon receipt of the plat this morning, the title certificate, signed by the title company, did identify a lis pendens—a pending legal action—which was recorded in the county record. The planning staff did not find any planning or zoning issues with respect to the proposal,” said Planning Director Sid Fox. “The remaining potential issue is the title issue.”

A press release in April from the PVHP announced the change in location for the North Platte Valley Medical Center following a donation of property at the intersection of West Bridge Ave. and N. 13th Street from Paul McCarthy. In that press release (see “Medical center changes locations” on page 2 of the April 29 Saratoga Sun), the non-profit group cited an inability by the sellers to provide clear title of property as their reason for pursuing other options.

PVHP Chairman Will Faust joined the public hearing by phone and informed the BOCCC that the group was informed that morning of resolution on the lis pendens.

Faust added that, despite the PVHP’s interest in a different property, they were still in support of subdividing the property south of Saratoga. Commissioner Sue Jones asked Fox if it was recommended to approve the platt submitted despite the change in intended use.

“The application was submitted with the clear intent and purpose of establishing a medical center on the site. I think the planning commission reviewed it in that context, as did the staff,” Fox said. “If the applicant or the property owner wanted to subdivide that lot, I would recommend that the plat not be approved in its current format and they reapply with a new application.”

As discussion continued, and Carbon County Attorney Ashley Mayfield-Davis returned to the meeting, it was again asked if there was any intent by the PVHP to extend utilities to the property south of Saratoga. Faust informed the BOCCC that the PVHP was no longer pursuing the Wyoming Business Council to fund the extension of utilities to the south of town.

“I would say, as it sits right now, we do not anticipate completing the project to get utilities to the parcel,” Faust said.

On May 7, however, the PVHP was awarded a $1 million Community Readiness Grant from the Wyoming Business Council for the purpose of extending utilities to the property located on the west end of Saratoga.

“I struggle with the board approving something that is not consistent with the application,” said Mayfield-Davis.

It was recommended by both Fox and Mayfield-Davis for the BOCCC to deny the subdivision application. Mayfield-Davis advised the county commissioners that along with denying the application, a resolution would need to be drafted and signed by the chairman with findings listing the cause for denial.

The next meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners will be at 9 a.m. on May 19 at the Carbon County Courthouse in Rawlins.