Planning commission recommends approval for private hunting retreat with noncommercial condition

The Lincoln County Planning Commission on Aug. 12 voted to recommend approval of a conditional-use permit for a private recreational camp proposed by AHA III Properties, LLC, with a condition barring commercial use.

County Planner Judy Clark described the project as a private hunting retreat consisting of three small cabins and a larger lodge to be used by friends and family, not as a commercial enterprise. Clark told commissioners the site is approximately four miles west of Sutherland Reservoir in a TA-1 Transitional Agricultural District and that Planning Staff had no objection to the application as presented.

Local residents raised objections at the public hearing. Resident Glenn Tidyman, who owns property to the east, said he was concerned that hunting in the area could increase taxes, that visitors might not respect property boundaries and that fire risk could rise. Betty Tidyman told the commission she feared the site "will become public hunting and not private." The commission discussed flood-plain concerns and existing improvements on the property during the hearing.

Member Aaron Edwards moved and Zak Eickhoff seconded adoption of Resolution CU25-001 "A," which recommends approval of the conditional-use permit on the condition that the property "will not be used for commercial purposes." The resolution cites factual findings that the application complies with Lincoln County zoning and subdivision regulations and the county comprehensive plan. The roll-call vote was unanimous among members present: Roggow, Boden, Merritt, Moorhead, Edwards, Eickhoff, Davies and Miller voting yes; Flaming, Pederson and Rayburn absent.

The recommendation will be forwarded under the normal review process. The condition limits future commercial activity on the property; commissioners did not impose additional operational restrictions at this hearing.