Fremont County Commission forming multi-agency committee to address ‘deplorable’ conditions at Gardens North

(Lander, WY) – The Fremont County Commission is moving forward with plans to address ongoing issues in the Gardens North subdivision near Riverton, building on previous conversations about deteriorating housing, frequent emergency calls, and infrastructure concerns in the neighborhood.

During a meeting this week, the Commission agreed to form a multi-agency committee to explore solutions for Gardens North, including county officials, representatives from the City of Riverton, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, the county planning department, local fire officials, the public health department, and members of the Gardens North Home Owners Association. 

The fire officials and the public health department both have authority to take immediate action when unsafe conditions are identified, Commission Attorney Nathan Maxon pointed out.

For example, he said the state fire marshal can “declare a nuisance if a structure is a fire hazard” or poses other threats to the community, and public health officials have “a lot of authority to go after issues of public health.”

Maxon said he’s also working with the county planning department to develop “a standalone nuisance regulation” that could be used to “target mobile homes” that property owners have “allowed to deteriorate.”

“We can specifically define that (an) unoccupied mobile home that’s deteriorating is a nuisance – and then we have a process where we can start taking direct action as well,” he said. 

The Commission discussed utility challenges at Gardens North this week, too, with Commissioner Ron Fabrizius warning that the neighborhood HOA doesn’t have enough money to replace a water pump if one fails, putting residents at risk of losing access to basic services. 

Commissioner Clarence Thomas said Riverton “could handle the water situation” if the county was “able to turn that (neighborhood) over” to the city.

Fabrizius also expressed concern about the roadway leading into Gardens North, suggesting that a guardrail could be installed to protect local officials who respond to a high rate of emergency calls in the neighborhood.

“When the sheriff and ambulance is called, they go pretty fast … and there’s a good ravine (there),” Fabrizius said. “If they go off in that, we’re going to lose some first responders, and I’m a little nervous about that.”

Commissioner Jennifer Wilson called the situation “scary,” referring to “the amount of police action (and) ambulance actions” in the neighborhood as well as the property issues that have left the area looking like “a third world country.”

“(It’s) deplorable – I mean, just disgusting,” she said. “As soon as we can move on this and start putting (the committee) together, the better.”

For more information, contact the Fremont County Commission.