Planning commission backs removing lot from PUD and rezoning to Ranchette; variance on dead‑end road moves to county board

The Pennington County Planning Commission on July 14 recommended approval of a planned unit development amendment and a rezoning for property at 22611 Hazel Lane so the owner may proceed toward a two‑lot subdivision. Commissioners voted to remove the subject lot from an older PUD and to rezone it to the Ranchette (ranchette) District; the applicant has separately applied for a variance to exceed the county’s limit on dwelling units on a dead‑end road, and that variance will be heard by the Pennington County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 5.

Jason Dennison, assistant planning director, told commissioners the applicant, Kristen Bennett of Haven Homes LLC, received staff approval in May for a layout plan to subdivide the parcel into two 5‑acre lots. "Approval of this request will allow the planning process to continue," Dennison said, explaining the PUD amendment and rezone are steps in that process.

Several nearby residents told the commission they had not received certified notices in time and reiterated long‑standing concerns about single egress access, emergency access and potential precedent if additional dwellings are allowed. Dessyl Peterson, a nearby property owner, said she opposed the separate variance request and explained, "It's the variance that I have the biggest concern about." Diane Lewis and other neighbors described the area’s single entry and the Loveland Canyon/merchant estate road district’s reservations; the Loveland Road District provided a written objection that is in the staff packet.

Commissioners and staff clarified procedure and authority: planning makes recommendations on rezones and comprehensive plan amendments; the county board acts as the board of adjustment and hears variance requests. Planning Director Britney Molitor explained that the Board of Commissioners had opted to retain variance decisions at the board level rather than delegate them to the planning commission.

The commission approved the PUD amendment (major planned unit development amendment PU03‑03) by voice vote with five staff‑recommended conditions and recommended approval of a comprehensive plan amendment and rezone (COCA25‑0007 and CORZ25‑0009). Dennison and staff noted that even if the property is rezoned to Ranchette, subdivision into smaller parcels would still require a variance to exceed the county’s limit on dwellings on a dead‑end road.

Why it matters: Neighbors said allowing additional dwellings on Hazel Lane could increase traffic and reduce emergency access; the variance — not decided by the planning commission — is the central issue for affected residents. The board of commissioners will hear the variance and make the final decision on Aug. 5.

Next steps: The planning commission’s recommendations will be transmitted to the Board of Commissioners for final action on the rezone, comprehensive plan amendment and PUD amendment; the variance will be considered separately by the board. Residents were told the variance hearing will include separate notice.