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Pennington County planning panel approves grain-bin "primitive cabin" rental with fire-permit condition removed
Summary
The Planning Commission approved Conditional Use Permit CUR 22-15 to allow a converted grain bin to be used as a primitive cabin rental, removing a staff-recommended fire-permit requirement after commissioners said outside fire pits are already prohibited.
The Pennington County Planning Commission on Jan. 13 approved Conditional Use Permit CUR 22-15 for Don and Troy Richter to operate a primitive cabin rental in a converted grain bin, voting to remove a staff condition requiring a separate fire permit.
The item drew interest from members of the public who described grain-bin conversions as an attractive reuse of agricultural structures. Cody, a county planner, told commissioners the bin had been finished inside and likely had a second level; he compared the conversions to “barndominiums.” Britney Molitor, planning director, had placed the request on the consent agenda with staff recommending approval with conditions.
Why it matters: the decision allows reuse of an existing agricultural structure for short-term lodging while the commission retained a separate condition prohibiting outdoor fire pits after neighbors raised wildfire-safety concerns. That safety requirement was discussed during review and led commissioners to remove the duplicate condition that had required a separate fire permit.
County staff explained the no-fire-pit condition grew from neighbors’ concerns about prairie fires and the rapid spread of flames between adjacent properties. Cody said, “the planning commission put the…and with the applicants' concurrence put in there that there would be no outside fire, fire pits.” He also said the planning commission had previously directed staff to add that condition to rental permits in the area.
Commissioners moved to approve CUR 22-15 with condition 10 removed. The transcript records an aye vote and the motion carried; no roll-call tally or individual yes/no votes were recorded in the minutes.
Public commenters asked to see photographs of the interior conversion; one said, “it just looks pretty cool” and expressed interest in grain-bin homes.
The application materials and staff report remain part of the official file for CUR 22-15. The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Pennington County Board of Commissioners, which will consider the recommendation at its regular meeting on Jan. 21, 2025.
