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Jackson council denies Swan Creek rezoning over steep-slope and wildlife risks
Summary
The Town Council voted unanimously Aug. 18 to deny a rezoning request for the Swan Creek parcels after staff and the planning commission warned an upzone would add substantial commercial development to a site with steep slopes, high landslide susceptibility and mule-deer winter range.
The Town of Jackson Council on Aug. 18 denied a request to rezone the southeastern portion of the Swan Creek parcel (P25-075075) from rural residential to CR-3, citing planning staff and commission findings that the change would be inconsistent with the comprehensive plan and risky on steep, unstable slopes.
Planning staff, represented by Andrew Bonham, told the council the parcel is about 28.83 acres and that an upzone "could permit up to 113,000 square feet added commercial space within town," a change the comprehensive-plan policy requires to be offset elsewhere. Bonham also said the Wyoming Geological Survey’s landslide-susceptibility mapping rates the site at the highest visibility rating and warned that adding density on or below those slopes would be "inconsistent with smart growth and hazard mitigation efforts."
Applicant Mike Allen, speaking for Swan Creek LLC, disputed staff’s analysis and said portions of the site have been heavily excavated and subject to reclamation. "We have some significant disagreements with the staff as to what the purpose of our application is," Allen said, arguing that the lower portion under consideration is a man-made disturbed area rather than a natural scenic slope.
Council members cited the comprehensive-plan language and slope-stability concerns in their discussion. Councilwoman Deeman moved to deny the zoning map amendment under LDR section 8.7.3.c; the motion was seconded and passed by unanimous voice vote with Councilman Schechter absent.
The denial leaves the parcel’s rural-residential zoning intact. Staff and commissioners recommended denial after referral comments noted potential landslide, snow-slide and rockfall hazards and wildlife conflicts — the planning report said mule deer crucial winter range overlaps the property and that neighboring properties include conservation easements and state-owned parcels.
