Sheridan Commissioners weigh in on recently completed housing assessment

With the recent completion of Sheridan Housing Needs Assessment and Strategy by Gruen and Gruen and Associates, Sheridan County and the City of Sheridan have a foundation of information to build on. 

Sheridan County Commissioner Tom Ringley recently told listeners of Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse Program that no silver bullet exists to quickly end the housing needs in the county. The assessment was completed to give leadership solid information and recommendations in which they can choose to act upon. 

The assessment found needs in senior housing, workforce housing and housing replacement. Recommendations from the anyaists include but are not limited to expanding public infrastructure, rezoning commercial and industrial to encourage their redevelopment into residential development and/or mixed-use developments.

According to Commission Chairman Lonnie Wright, the Sheridan County Commission can do little outside of regulation when it comes to influencing the housing market. 

And that free market has been busy. In spite of supply chain issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, construction within Sheridan County has been high according to Ringley. 

According to Dan Nelin with the Sheridan County Planning Office, the 2021 year saw the biggest increase in septic permits since 2006 with 103 septic permits approved by the commission. Nelin also pointed out those numbers do not include the construction projects from the Powder Horn development, which has its own sewer system.