The Pennington County Planning Commission approved several routine land-use actions at its Jan. 12 meeting, voting to accept a six-item consent agenda and to approve individual items including a conditional-use permit, a road renaming, a preliminary subdivision plan and a rezoning.

The commission approved the consent agenda (items 4a–4f) by a single vote after staff presented six items ranging from conditional-use permits for accessory dwellings and tiny homes to a plan-unit development overlay amendment for a proposed specialty resort. Assistant Planner Christine Phillip presented conditional use permit COCU25-0017 to bring an already-built accessory dwelling unit into compliance at 24090 Pine Grove Road; staff recommended approval with 14 conditions and the commission carried the motion.

Planner Kelsey Rausch summarized a proposed road-name change from Bison Loop to Bison Trail, explaining that a section of road is not passable around the loop and two property owners requested the change to prevent traffic across private land; the commission approved the renaming.

Senior Planner Cody Sachs presented preliminary plan COPPL25-0013 for the Cole Subdivision at 11950 Reno Gulch Road; staff found no department objections but noted the access easement did not meet ordinance standards and that the owner has sought a variance to be heard by the Board of Adjustment March 3. The commission approved the preliminary plan with six conditions.

Sachs also presented rezone C0RZ25-0014 for 2459 Carter Drive (Dan and Cheryl Fuller, agent Doug Hanneman) to change zoning from rural residential to low-density residential to allow an 8-foot side setback; staff noted one letter of opposition concerned with neighborhood character but recommended approval as consistent with the comprehensive plan. Kent Penny, a nearby resident, said he was not opposed after staff clarified the process. The commission approved the rezone with one condition.

The chair noted the planning commission’s recommendations will be transmitted to the Pennington County Board of Commissioners for final decisions on Jan. 20, 2026.

What to watch next: items related to alternative energy and special animal-keeping ordinance amendments were continued to the Jan. 20 board meeting; the TK Ranch rezoning and comprehensive-plan amendment were also transmitted for board action and will return to planning staff as a CUP request if approved.