Planning Commission approves Camp Kaia amendment to replace glamping with cabins and lodges

The Kane County Planning Commission on May 13 unanimously approved a conditional‑use permit amendment allowing Camp Kaia JV LLC to replace the previously approved 60 glamping sites with 45 cabins and seven lodges while keeping the same total of 60 bedrooms.

Tom Avant, representing the applicant, told commissioners the amendment included conditions to limit fire risk and to prevent occupancy before infrastructure was complete: "no certificates of occupancy would be issued until all infrastructure and fire protection systems were fully operational." Commissioners pressed the applicant on phased construction, open trenches, septic approvals, lighting controls and Army Corps permitting; the applicant said the revised design consolidated development, removed units from sensitive portions of the canyon and included a fully pressurized water system with hydrants and significant fire flow capacity.

After a prior site visit and extended discussion about safety and infrastructure sequencing, Mason Haycock moved to approve the CUP amendment, Larry Crutchfield seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The approval includes the applicant’s requirement that a full 5,000‑gallon water tank be provided on site at all times and that no power be connected to structures (except the water pumping building) until the water and pumping system are operational.