Planning commission denies Cornerstone’s medical respite at Big Sky Lodge, 5–3, citing safety and access concerns

The Rapid City Planning Commission on Oct. 10 denied a conditional use permit for a 29‑bed medical respite proposed by Cornerstone Rescue Mission at the former Big Sky Lodge, 4080 Tower Road. The board voted 5–3 after extended public comment from neighbors, clinicians and agency partners.

Jessica Olsen, current planning staff, told commissioners the applicant proposed using 29 of the lodge’s 32 rooms for post‑hospital respite patients referred by Monument Health, with three rooms retained for staff. The site plan included 26 parking spaces and two ADA stalls; staff recommended approval only with multiple stipulations: an opaque wood screening fence on the north side adjacent to single‑family homes, a wrought‑iron style see‑through security fence and code‑controlled sliding gate set back 25 feet from the property line, appointment‑only visitation (10 a.m.–7 p.m., one patient at a time with up to two visitors), staff on site 24/7, cameras, removal of billboards and an agreement that any change to operations would require a major amendment to the permit.

Many neighbors opposed the location. Residents described repeated shootings in the area, lack of sidewalks and lighting, steep grades and difficult winter access, and argued the motel’s exterior‑door layout and limited interior monitoring are not appropriate for medically vulnerable people. “Last night, we had 2 shootings going on,” said Marin Gull, a resident. Multiple physicians and emergency clinicians said the population would be better served near the medical campus where rapid response and hospital resources are more available.

Monument Health, Cornerstone, the Rapid City Fire Department mobile integrated health team and the police department all described a coordinated screening and operations plan. Steven Tomei, director of addiction medicine and community health services at Monument Health and a Cornerstone board member, said referrals would come from hospitals and that “these are not patients who need significant medical care,” adding care plans and physician oversight would determine suitability for the respite. Ryan Marks, captain of the Rapid City Fire Department’s mobile integrated health program, said community health workers would transport and check patients in passenger vehicles and provide daily monitoring.

Commissioners stressed the panel’s decision must rest on the conditional‑use criteria: design of the facility, impacts on the neighborhood, traffic and safety. Commissioner Brooke moved to deny the permit on grounds of neighborhood character, pedestrian and vehicular access and lighting; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call: Arguello — Aye; Braun — Aye; Bowman — No; Ginsburg — No; Hieges — Aye; Kauffman — Aye; Stuck — Aye; Bridal — No. The motion carried 5 to 3.

The denial stops the proposed Cornerstone respite at this location. Staff and applicants said the operation could be revised and resubmitted or pursued at another site; staff noted that building‑code and fire‑code work would be required before occupancy in any approved location.

The planning commission also reminded applicants that, because the proposed use would require change of occupancy, building permits and a full code review (ADA, fire suppression and alarm systems) would be required before any certificate of occupancy could be issued.