Ranck & Schwartz Celebrates Another WY Supreme Court Victory
Leah C. Schwartz recently served as co-counsel in a winning appeal before the Wyoming Supreme Court in which she represented Jackson nonprofit Teton Raptor Center alongside former colleagues at Davis & Cannon, LLP.
The lawsuit involved Teton Raptor Center’s redevelopment of its property on the northwest corner of the Hardeman Ranch as authorized by the Teton County Board of County Commissioners under a 2018 amended conditional use permit. Neighboring landowners challenged the permit as contrary to an existing variance granted in 2008. District Court Judge Timothy C. Day upheld the commissioners’ decision, prompting the neighbors’ appeal.
In a unanimous opinion authored by Justice Kari Gray, the Wyoming Supreme Court sided with the County and Teton Raptor Center as intervenor. The case stands as significant precedent in the area of local land use/zoning and discusses the distinction between variances and conditional use permits. The case also reaffirms the judicial deference afforded to decisions of local zoning boards.
Ranck & Schwartz is celebrating alongside its client and looks forward to seeing Teton Raptor Center’s continuing work in the community as a world-class bird care and education facility.
A copy of the Court’s opinion is available here.