Powell County Planning Board approves three conditional-use permits, sets one-year conditions

The Powell County Planning Board on Feb. 5 approved three conditional-use permits, each with an added condition that the permit is valid for one year.

Planning Director Amanda Cooley summarized staff recommendations for the three applications: Wayne and Karalee Slaght seek to build a second home near the original Ovando townsite; Jon (Mike) and Eadie Cahill applied to operate a farm-to-table retail store on Yellowstone Trail south of Deer Lodge; and Alexis Campestre requested a seasonal farm stand as an accessory agricultural use for Orion Farmstead. Administrator Ann O'Toole told the board she was adding the standard one-year condition required by county zoning regulations.

All three applications drew supportive public comment. At the Slaght hearing Cooley read two emailed statements in support and community member Gary Aitken said the project had broad backing. The board approved the Slaght conditional-use permit 8-0 after Member Tracy Manley moved and Member Justin Williams seconded. "It's cut and dry," applicant Wayne Slaght said of his intent to build a retirement home.

At the Ranch Momma hearing, Jon (Mike) Cahill told the board, "It's just a retail store," describing direct-to-consumer sales of beef, milk and eggs; John Speath and Carl Johnson spoke in support. Vice President Randy Mannix moved to approve with O'Toole's one-year condition and Member Earl Hall seconded; the motion passed 8-0.

For Orion Farmstead, Alexis Campestre said the project would "source locally as much as we can" and described an agritourism grant to renovate an existing structure into a farm stand. Public commenter Gary Aitken raised questions about application materials and existing site structures; Campestre and staff noted onsite cleanup and recordkeeping by planning staff. The board approved the Orion Farmstead permit 8-0 (motion and second recorded in the minutes).

Votes at a glance: Slaght CUP — approved 8-0 (motion: approve with Ann O'Toole's one-year condition); Ranch Momma CUP — approved 8-0 (motion: approve with one-year condition); Orion Farmstead CUP — approved 8-0 (motion: approve with one-year condition). Each approval carries the condition that the permit remains valid for one year and that site safety and permit conditions be maintained.

The decisions were routine in form but reflect continuing local interest in supporting small-scale agricultural businesses and modest residential development in Powell County. The Planning Board closed each public hearing before voting and recorded the supportive public comments in the official minutes.

The board scheduled no further formal action on these items at this meeting; staff noted ongoing site monitoring and standard compliance obligations under county zoning rules.