Commissioners approve private hunting retreat permit west of Sutherland Reservoir with no‑commercial condition

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted Aug. 18 to approve a conditional‑use permit for AHA 3 Properties LLC to build a private hunting retreat—three small cabins and a larger lodge—on a parcel about four miles west of Sutherland Reservoir.

Judy Clark, Lincoln County planning administrator, told the board the Lincoln County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on Aug. 12, subject to a condition that the property not be used for commercial purposes. Clark said planning staff has no objection to the private hunting retreat and noted the property is in a TA‑1 (transitional agriculture) district surrounded by agricultural properties and limited dwellings.

Builder Mick Miles, of Miles Modern Builders, spoke for the applicant and said the retreat is strictly for the owner’s family; the cabin sizes were described in general terms (one one‑bedroom cabin, one two‑bedroom cabin, one single bedroom cabin plus a lodge with kitchen). A neighboring landowner had testified at the planning commission raising concerns about hunters leaving the applicant’s property and about any commercial use; commissioners emphasized the planning commission’s condition barring commercial activity and discussed enforcement options, including revocation of the permit if the use becomes commercial.

A commissioner moved to approve the application with the condition that the property will not be used for commercial purposes and with factual findings that the application complies with current county zoning and subdivision regulations and the county comprehensive plan. On roll call the motion passed unanimously. The chair said a signed resolution would be placed on a future consent agenda.