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Lake County Planning Commission unanimously approves 7142 Silver King Backcountry site plan with conditions
Summary
The Lake County Planning Commission on April 27 approved the site plan for 7142 Silver King Backcountry, imposing conditions on wastewater management, wildfire mitigation, revegetation, occupancy limits and prohibition of a fire pan; the vote was unanimous.
The Lake County Planning Commission unanimously approved the site plan for 7142 Silver King Backcountry (File #25-50) at its April 27 work session, adopting conditions meant to limit development in an identified high-quality habitat area and to address wildfire and wastewater concerns.
The commission approved a plan applying to an existing private 10-by-21-foot cabin on 30.28 acres in Backcountry zoning after staff recommended approval with conditions that include use of an approved composting toilet, a free-standing solar array rather than roof-mounted arrays, a wildfire mitigation plan per Lake County Local Fire Rescue (LLCFR) guidance, revegetation and noxious-weed management plans, and limiting occupancy to no more than 180 days per year. Planning Commissioner David Jurich moved to approve the site plan and Commissioner Joey Edwards seconded; the motion passed with all in favor.
Applicant Andy Berger said he wanted to "bring this existing structure into compliance" and intends to add an "outhouse" structure to house the approved composting toilet. Neighbor Carter Shaver described the proposed work as light construction, saying the project will involve digging for a 500-gallon tank but will largely keep the existing footprint. Shaver also said the property is about 750 feet from the Leadville Backcountry Yurts.
Commissioners asked technical questions about wastewater. Jurich asked whether the property has a septic system; Shaver said it does not and "just [has] a greywater holding tank that will be pumped at 75% full." County Commissioner Andy Lee asked whether the holding tank has a high-level alarm; Shaver replied, "Yes." Commissioners Jurich and Heather Lindh characterized the application as straightforward.
During public comment, Peter Day said he was unable to access the project file online and asked staff to update permissions. Deputy Director Melissa Kendrick said that only enclosed fire pits "like those in USFS campgrounds" are allowed on the property. County Commissioner Elsa Tharp noted that LLCFR is aware of an existing fire pan on the property and that its use is not permitted under the conditions of approval.
The commission closed the evidentiary portion of the hearing by motion (Edwards moved to close; Jurich seconded) before voting to approve the plan. The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Votes at a glance: The commission also approved the April 20, 2026 minutes earlier in the session; both motions were carried by unanimous voice vote.
