Evanston City Council Summary
Week of July 22, 2026
Developer to finish Twin Ridge subdivision abandoned since 1983
Parking variance approved for Bear River Drive apartment conversion
Council greenlights parking reduction for 81-unit Wasatch Road apartments
Council advances ordinance banning vaping in public places
Police retain funding for drug trafficking task force officer
Developer to finish Twin Ridge subdivision abandoned since 1983
EVANSTON, Wyo. - A residential subdivision platted 43 years ago will finally see completion following the city council's approval of a subdivider agreement with a contractor. The agreement for Twin Ridge Subdivision No. 4, Phase 3, outlines a two-year, two-phase project to build out the remaining 23 residential lots located behind Evanston High School. The measure passed nearly unanimously, with one council member recusing themselves citing a conflict of interest as a property owner in the existing neighborhood.
Parking variance approved for Bear River Drive apartment conversion
EVANSTON, Wyo. - A former motel on Bear River Drive will be converted into 33 apartments following the city council's approval of a 17.5 percent reduction in off-street parking requirements. The developer, Chad Anderson, owner of Boardwalk Industries, requested the variance to lower the mandate from two stalls per unit to an average of 1.65 stalls. The developer successfully argued that the reduction is adequate because 31 of the 33 units will be studio apartments, which typically require only one vehicle per tenant.
Council greenlights parking reduction for 81-unit Wasatch Road apartments
EVANSTON, Wyo. - Boardwalk Industries secured a second parking variance for a larger apartment conversion at 339 Wasatch Road, the site of Affordable Inns & Restaurant and another former lodging property. The city council approved a slight parking reduction for the 81-unit complex, which will feature full one- and two-bedroom apartments rather than studios. While approving the variance, the council requested that the developer monitor traffic flow and safety near the property's access points, citing general concerns about pedestrian safety and traffic management in the area.
Council advances ordinance banning vaping in public places
EVANSTON, Wyo. - The Evanston City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would add electronic smoking devices and vaping to the city's existing public smoking ban. Sponsored by Councilman Henry Schmidt, who was absent from the meeting, and Councilman David Welling, the ordinance modifies current municipal codes enacted nearly 20 years ago to explicitly prohibit vaping in public spaces. The measure features a delayed effective date of Oct. 1, 2026, which is intended to provide adequate time to inform the public before enforcement begins. The ordinance requires two additional readings before final adoption.
Police retain funding for drug trafficking task force officer
EVANSTON, Wyo. - The city will receive $90,571 to offset the cost of assigning an Evanston Police Department officer to the state's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. The city council approved a recurring contract with the Wyoming Attorney General's Office and the Division of Criminal Investigation to keep the officer on the regional drug task force. City Attorney Mark Harris noted the contract is retroactive to Jan. 1 to align with federal pass-through funding cycles, which is standard practice for the initiative that has been in place since the 1990s.
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