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WORLAND — After approving a special exemption for a hair salon, the Worland Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission turned their attention to discussion allowing residential living in the central business district.

Building official Randy Adams said the board has had some preliminary discussions on looking at allowing residential living in the central business district to help eliminate the empty storefronts in downtown Worland.

Now is the time that the BAPC needs to put the discussion as a priority, Adams said.

Council member Dennis Koch, liaison between the BAPC and city council said the council seems receptive to the idea of allowing residential living. “We want to make sure we do it right,” Koch said, adding that all the requirements and regulations need to be in place first and need to ensure there is a separation of business and residential.

Currently residential living is allowed on the top floor of buildings in the central business district. The BAPC is looking at allowing residential living in either the entire building or separating business and residential on the main floors of the building.

BAPC Chairman Scott Fritzler said, “In all honesty I’m not comfortable making the downtown business all residential.” He said if the empty storefronts turn into residential housing where do new businesses go?

Koch suggested there could be apartment, hotel or condominiums allowed.

BAPC member Mike Dykman said he prefers an occupied building, whether residential or business, rather than an empty building.

“I would prefer to see businesses in those buildings but I’d rather have them occupied than not. I don’t see a drawback,” Dykman said.

Board member Landis Benson said he believes the market will dictate the use in the buildings.

Board member Dan Frederick asked about the infrastructure in the area and if it could accommodate an increase in use, noting residential use for water and sewer should be greater than business use.

Adams said there are eight-inch mains for both water and sewer that should be more than enough to accommodate the use.

The BAPC asked Adams to check communities in the Big Horn Basin on what they allow and what requirements or restrictions they may have and what zoning changes may be required.

The board will meet again on March 21 at 11 a.m. in the council chambers.

SPECIAL EXEMPTION

There was no public comment during the public hearing for the special exemption request. Rhea White was seeking a special exemption for home occupation at 700 Grace Avenue. White said she had received texts from two neighbors in support and one text from another neighbor asking to schedule an appointment.

All neighbors were notified per city ordinance, according to Adams.

White said on her application that the salon would be located in the southeast corner of the main floor of her home and no structure of the home would be changed.

The property is in a low density residential zone and salons and home occupations are listed as a special exemption use.

PRO BUSINESS

In other business the board said anyone with concerns about the board’s actions is encouraged to come and speak to the board. They meet at 11 a.m. the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Adams said he has received some comments about the city and the board preventing businesses from coming in.

Benson said, “They need to come to the commission. We’re pretty pro business.”

Dykman added that as somewhat new business owners and residents to Worland he has felt that the city and the BAPC are “pro Worland” and he has been able to work with the city on any issue.