Sunflower Hill seeks permit for 15 camping cottages on 105-acre site; Planning & Zoning recommended approval

Sunflower Hill LLC presented a request Monday, Jan. 13, for a conditional use permit (CUP 24-07 / Bill 5362) to develop a campground with 15 cottages on a roughly 105-acre, heavily wooded parcel on Terry Road near Klondike Park and the Katy Trail. Planning and Zoning Commission members had recommended approval 7-0, and county staff also recommended approval.

Robert Myers, director of the Planning and Zoning Division, told the council the 15 cottages would be clustered within about 1.5 acres near the crest of the property's hill and that the nearest residences are approximately 1,200 feet to the south and 1,500 feet to the northeast. "The 105 acres is practically all wooded and heavily forested, and the 15 camping cottages that are being proposed would all be clustered within a 1 and a half acre area in the middle of the tract," Myers said.

Applicants Michael and Karen Kinnaman described the project as a way to retain visitors on-site and support the farm's existing cafe and event operations. "We bought the property in that whole area, Sunflower Hill Farm in 2014...we've been really successful," Michael Kinnaman said, adding that on-site lodging would keep wedding parties and visitors from traveling to Chesterfield for accommodations. He described the proposed units as "pretty high end cottages" and said they envision corporate retreats, Katy Trail guests and multi-day farm experiences in the longer term.

County staff and the applicants confirmed a standard restriction on extended occupancy: individual cabins would not be leased, rented, advertised or occupied by the same occupants for more than 30 days per calendar year. When asked by a council member whether the applicants were comfortable with the limit, Michael Kinnaman said, "I'm we're fine with the 30 days." When asked during public comment whether the campground would include RVs, Kinnaman replied, "No. It would just be these cabins."

A resident spoke in favor of the project during public comment, saying the plan would support tourism and that the applicants are involved in the local community. There were no speakers registered in opposition at the hearing.

The council closed the public hearing and the chair said a final vote on the conditional use permit would occur in two weeks pending the usual procedures and any required paperwork.