Board approves Happy Jack Lodge expansion with larger buffer after neighbor concerns

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 11 to adopt Ordinance 2025-1, rezoning 47.79 acres near Happy Jack from Open Space (OS) to Resort Commercial (RC) and approving an expanded master development plan for Happy Jack Lodge that adds up to 250 additional RV campsites and 240 additional RV-storage spaces.

Community Development Deputy Director Jess McNealy summarized the application and background: the parcels at issue were created through a previous federal land exchange and historically carried an OS designation. "The proposed expanded master development plan would add 250 additional RV camping sites and 240 additional RV storage spaces, beyond what is already developed on the existing portion of the development," McNealy said. The county's review updated the applicant's as-built counts and found the expansion would increase the overall development to a total of roughly 631 RV campsites and 812 storage spaces countywide if fully built.

Staff advised the board that the applicant had completed two tasks the board requested in a previous continuance: a revised, more detailed master development plan and a traffic-impact analysis (TIA). Public Works reviewed the TIA and determined the expansion would require new left- and…