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Commission denies planned unit development overlay near Silver Creek, citing flood concerns
Summary
The board denied, with prejudice, a planned unit development overlay request for a specialty resort near Silver Creek after staff and several commissioners raised unresolved questions about floodplain risks and public safety; the denial prevents the applicant from reapplying for a year unless conditions change.
The Pennington County Board of Commissioners voted to deny a planned unit development (PUD) overlay application for a proposed specialty resort near Silver Creek on May 19, 2025, following planning staff concerns about flood-related safety and the request’s lack of detailed floodplain analysis.
Planning staff had reviewed the application and changed their recommendation to deny without prejudice to allow the applicant time to provide more detailed floodplain and safety information. At the planning commission, members moved to deny with prejudice; Commissioners voted to deny with prejudice at the county meeting, which prevents the applicant from resubmitting the same PUD request for one year unless new facts or substantial changes are presented.
Britney Molitor, Pennington County planning director, explained the staff’s concern: the application did not provide sufficient detail to address flood risk and potential hazards in the Silver Creek corridor. Several citizens and commissioners referenced historical high-water events and photographic evidence presented in the planning record.
Commissioner Ron Rosknecht said flood photos and testimony demonstrated that the creek has a history of significant inundation, and he said the application required more extensive technical work before being considered. “The pictures don’t lie,” Rosknecht said during deliberations on the planning commission track; commissioners at the county meeting concurred and supported denying the overlay with prejudice.
Ending: The denial with prejudice closes the current PUD request for at least one year; planning staff advised the applicant to commission thorough floodplain analysis and safety studies if the applicant wishes to pursue a future application.
