City of Kemmerer Administrator, Brian Muir, spoke with SVI recently about the latest developments in the housing discussion for the town as well as other happenings. 

The city council met and established regulations for temporary housing,” he said. “They passed, approved and adopted an ordinance that creates a light manufacturing district or zone and a workforce hub based on a conditional use permit. That’s been approved so at this point, someone would need to apply for a conditional use permit and go before the zoning board.”

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The subject of housing during the construction phase of the TerraPower Natrium Reactor site and its accompanying buildings is a daily occurrence in the city and Muir emphasized that they wand the public involved.  

“The zoning board wants public comment and some feedback considered before any action would be taken,” he added. “They are in a holding pattern right now.”

Muir explained that it was a Request for Proposal (RFP) submitted by Bechtel who is attempting to coordinate the many facets of the construction needs.  

“Some of those properties are in city limits,” he said. “Those people would need to come before the zoning board to consider it. If there is an application there needs to be a six-foot perimeter fence around it. They need to take into account traffic and noise and those things. There is code in place to prepare for that type of contingency.” 

No conditional use permit has been filed as of July 10.

Public Concerns

As construction ramps up there are questions and concerns among residents. Muir explained a few of the items that are relevant to the discussion. 

“[There is a] maximum of 50 dwelling units per acre, that was established as as standard,” he added. “The zoning board has the discretion to go less dense if they want. This is a temporary area for the life of the project. There is sight and sound proximity that has to do with the health and safety of the public. They are all taken into consideration.”