Planning Commission continues Silver Creek specialty-resort proposal to allow floodplain analysis

The Pennington County Planning Commission on April 14 continued a planned-unit-development overlay application (COPU25-0001) for a proposed specialty resort on Silver Creek Road to May 12, 2025, after residents, the applicant’s engineer and county staff debated whether existing FEMA maps adequately reflect local flood risk and the site’s wetlands.

Planner Megan Talmich summarized staff concerns and recommended conditions including a requirement that a base flood elevation be established for the property, wetlands permitting through state authorities and additional fire-safety measures. M. Talmich told the commission staff had received “extensive public comments” and that a hydraulic analysis the applicant submitted raised questions about whether FEMA’s mapping fully reflects local flood risk.

Residents and property owners urged caution. Attorney Eric Nies, representing neighbors including Jeff and Johanna Holy, told the commission that the community “would much rather prefer that that happen first. Let’s not put the cart before footwork or the horse, let’s let let’s see if this can even happen, let’s see if there actually is a flood zone there before there’s any approval.” Neighbors cited historic floods, narrow site geometry (approximately 2,300 feet long and an average width of roughly 135 feet), continuous streamflow along the parcel and extensive willow/aspen corridors. Resident Edward Hague described repeated spring flooding and past bridge failures on nearby roadways; several residents said road maintenance and emergency access are already limited and could be strained by a commercial operation.

The applicant’s engineer, Kyle Carey of Interstate Engineering, said the team had conducted a hydraulic analysis and proposed septic and utility locations intended to meet state setbacks. Carey said utilities would be routed in the existing roadway corridor and that the septic location would be relocated to meet state setback requirements. Carey and staff agreed that a full floodplain study and a mapped base flood elevation across the property would provide clearer guidance.

Commissioners discussed procedural options and the applicant’s likely cost to produce a full floodplain study. After public testimony and staff input, the commission voted to continue COPU25-0001 to May 12, 2025, and directed staff to accept an updated floodplain analysis and revised site plans in advance of the continued hearing.

Ending: The commission recorded concerns about wetlands, septic proximity to the stream and emergency access and asked the applicant to submit a full floodplain study and updated plans before the May 12 hearing.