Cox Ranch annexation

ViaWest representative thanked the council for its leadership and described the developers' Commitment to the Community document and open houses.

Rolling Hills resident urged rejection of the annexation, saying opponents have been worn down and their concerns dismissed.

Ward 1 candidate reluctantly supported the annexation, arguing a data center under city rules is preferable to county development that would threaten wells and the mausoleum.

Happy Jack Road resident opposed the annexation, citing severe drought and vowing to keep testing and documenting his water quality.

Ward 1 resident said the city is growing too fast and spreading resources thin, and accused the council of representing developers rather than residents.

Criticized the petition process, questioned why the Planning Commission was overruled, and raised Round Rock, Texas noise concerns about Skybox.

Ward 1 resident said she opposes annexations and wants the city to pump the brakes on growth for long-term residents.

Called the process political, criticized the governor's executive order bypassing environmental assessment, and told council members they need spine.

Rolling Hills resident of 50 years said the Cox family fiercely protected the ranch and urged preservation of Cheyenne's Western identity over another business park.

Said her in-laws live near a data center whose noise disrupts her mother-in-law's sleep during heart recovery; asked the council to consider well-being.

Spoke for Cox family members, saying the developers treated the family generously regarding the mausoleum and warning of consequences if annexation fails.

County resident asked who is responsible if groundwater levels drop; was told the project will use city water, not wells.

Recurring legal commenter raised statutory objections to the annexation, zoning, climate plan, depot lease and other items, citing Wyoming statutes and threatening a Rule 65 TRO.

Ward 1 resident spoke in favor, praising Skybox as a stand-up company and citing economic development for kids' futures.

Via West Group co-developer praised the postponement, community open houses, and cooperation with neighbors Isley and Galliotis on water conservation.

Rolling Hills resident said the 'landowner's wishes' framing is false since the owner is deceased, called the North Range annexation 'smoke and mirrors,' and threatened withholding support for future 6-penny tax requests.

Skybox developer said all criteria are met and invited questions by email or phone ahead of the fifth community meeting.

Local contractor cited February wildfire evacuation gridlock near existing data centers and worries about fire resources and traffic.

Born-and-raised rancher says windmills and data centers wiped out antelope herds, dried up wells, and killed her kids' desire to build on the family land.

Lives near Cox Ranch and says data center hum keeps him up every night; 'we don't want the data centers here.'

Demanded a town hall before final readings, said NDA-holding or conflicted members should recuse, and dismissed the mausoleum argument.

Wyoming Business Alliance (375 members) supports the project and urged members to work with the company.

County resident says water statistics ignore the power facilities data centers build, and closed with 'on your watch.'

Former candidate who knocked 4,000 doors says most residents are middle-of-the-road, and backs Skybox specifically as the most transparent company he's met.

King Ranch operator says no deal is signed but prefers data center traffic to subdivisions on dangerous Happy Jack Road and praises the developers' follow-through.

Attorney for the Cox Trust applicants formally requested postponement of the annexation's second reading to allow further discussions.

Via West Group representative supported the pause, saying Cheyenne is a close-knit community and discussions should unfold on an appropriate timeline.

Harmony Meadows resident opposed the annexation, citing endangered species and eagle nests, Crow Creek surface flows feeding Cheyenne's water supply, and alleged conflicts of interest involving LEADS and data center secrecy.

Community member said the issue is trust — residents feel input doesn't change outcomes — and questioned whether the city can staff expanded fire and police services.

Representing the William S. Cox Trust, explained the land sale would fund the Cox Family Foundation supporting FFA and agricultural causes; acknowledged the foundation's corporate papers are still in the works.

Rolling Hills Estates resident argued the ranch, part of the historic Wyoming Angus Ranch est. 1896, doesn't meet annexation statutes and data centers belong in existing business parks.

Happy Jack Road resident asked 'where does it end,' noting unannexed county pockets near the Air Force Base and fearing the same fight in ten miles in twenty years.

Recent buyer west of Happy Jack questioned what the foundation actually funds, said the mausoleum shouldn't overlook a business park, and fears her property value will drop.

AVI agent for the trust explained the business park and data center were discussed at the Planning Commission meeting, not withheld, and answered questions on power, water and the two-step zoning process.

Purchaser representative asked for time to engage the community, help resolve the mausoleum issue, and draft a development agreement with stringent lighting, sound and mandated closed-loop water; pledged no wells or septic and full city service costs.

Happy Jack Road resident argued the staff report's statutory criteria are not met, questioned the 44-acre contiguity parcel, and warned of forced annexation and utility hookup costs for Rolling Hills.

Rolling Hills resident asked why the county couldn't handle it and said she bought in the county to keep animals and fears being surrounded and annexed later.

Former West Side planning committee member said LEADS once worked with the neighborhood on lighting, greenway and no-truck commitments, but residents heard nothing about this annexation until last week.

Said he's learned more each meeting, still opposes annexation, wants a pause or defeat, and asked who initiated the treatment plant parcel annexation.

Rolling Hills resident who just learned of the proposal asked council to step back, take time, and vote with wisdom on how residents feel.

Rolling Hills resident said the annexation would irreversibly destroy rural character, wildlife and road safety, and called it ironic that agricultural land would be sold for business use to fund an FFA foundation.

Rolling Hills resident near Roundtop said he hears industrial noise daily on his security cameras and is totally against the annexation, citing extreme drought and water scarcity.

City resident in Indian Hills worried about bald eagles and wildlife, her future water supply, and noise impacts on cattle on surrounding ranches.