City approves all-electric housing development

KEMMERER (WNE) — In a special zoning board meeting on April 30, a recommendation was made for the Kemmerer City Council to approve the final plat for the Gateway PUD housing development, with conditions.

One of those conditions is to include a plat notice to the future purchasers of the lots that natural gas is not being provided in the all-electric development.

Previously, at a March 19 zoning board meeting, the developers — Sean Coyle, Chris Mooney, and Mark Germain of Gateway Development Kemmerer LLC — had requested an amendment to the plat that included eliminating the need for the developer to install natural gas lines. A majority of the zoning board recommended that the city deny the request to amend the plat.

With a close vote in an April 22 city council meeting, a majority of the council members voted to override the zoning board’s recommendation and amend the plat and allow the developer not to provide natural gas.

Germain, the spokesman for the developers, estimated adding infrastructure for natural gas lines would cost more than $800,000, which would increase lot prices. The developer plans to use a Colorado-based company called Fading West to build the all-electric homes.

On the one hand, eliminating the requirement for gas lines will make the individual lots more affordable, but some are concerned that this will drive up utility costs for homeowners.

Kemmerer City Administrator Brian Muir acknowledged the need to move forward with housing and be accommodating to the developer but said he’s concerned about affordable utilities.

“We also need to think about the future of the citizens in the area,” Muir said. “It’s not just about affordable housing; it’s about affordable utilities and having choices.”

This story was published on May 7, 2024.