Planning commission approves Highway 385 rezoning for TK Ranch resort despite floodplain concerns

The Pennington County Planning Commission voted Jan. 12 to approve a comprehensive-plan amendment (COCA25-0001) and separate rezoning (CORZ25-0013) that will allow TK Ranch, owned by Timothy and Kim McGriff, to pursue a recreational resort with horse and RV campsites at 24150 Highway 385.

Planning Director Britney Hahn told commissioners staff recommended both actions after routing the request to state agencies. "The applicants are asking to rezone this to commercial," Hahn said, adding the South Dakota Department of Transportation had approved an approach for a horse camp and RV campground and that the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources required holding tanks where floodplain existed. Hahn said a conditional-use permit (CUP) will be required later if the commercial zoning is adopted.

Why it matters: the property includes special flood-hazard areas and a floodway, and commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on whether the site can be developed and evacuated safely in a flood. Commissioner (unnamed) said the main public-safety concern is egress during high water: "The main thing is that the people can get out," the commissioner said, urging further site review.

Applicant Tim McGriff told the commission engineers were addressing floodway parameters and that access and services were planned. "It will be a dump station with alarm system on it," McGriff said, adding the proposal includes water, electricity to each site and an on-site manager in an RV. He stressed that driveway and approach geometry must accommodate long horse trailers and RVs; he said his engineer, Indigo Engineering, was finalizing flood-related plans.

Commission discussion focused on floodplain permitting and likely CUP conditions: Hahn said any grading or site work will require a floodplain development permit and that prior nearby campgrounds in special flood-hazard areas had been required to install alarm systems and other mitigations as part of their CUPs. Commissioners requested site visits and additional information about evacuation plans. Several commissioners offered to inspect the property in person and staff agreed to provide contact information for a visit.

The vote: after discussion the commission approved the comprehensive-plan amendment and then the rezoning; both motions carried. Hahn reminded the panel that a separate CUP will be required for the recreational resort once commercial zoning is in place.

Next steps: the commission’s recommendation goes to the Pennington County Board of Commissioners, which will make the final decision on Jan. 20, 2026. If the board approves the rezoning, the applicant will return for a CUP and will need to secure required floodplain permits and demonstrate site-specific mitigation for public safety and environmental compliance.