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Commission approves five private cabins for Nature Conservancy staff at Tiger Creek Preserve
Summary
The planning commission granted conditional-use approval for five private staff cabins on 60 acres of Tiger Creek Preserve; staff said the cabins will be used only by Nature Conservancy personnel for habitat work and emergency response and will be screened from nearby homes.
The Polk County Planning Commission approved LDCU 2025-15, allowing The Nature Conservancy to install five private one‑bedroom cabins on a 60‑acre portion of Tiger Creek Preserve to provide short-term lodging for staff, volunteers and scientists.
Andrew Grochowski (S16) explained that the preserve has been managed by The Nature Conservancy since 1971 and that the requested cabins are "private lodges" meant for staff use only; he told the commission the cabins meet conditional-use criteria, are well screened from nearby homes (nearest home ~0.25 mile), and will support habitat restoration, wildfire response and field operations. Randall O'Neil (S19) with NV5 was present as the applicant representative to answer technical questions.
Staff recommended approval on the basis of compatibility and buffering; commissioners voted to approve the conditional-use request on a roll-call vote. The approval conditions note the cabins are not open to the public and that significant changes — such as adding public events or outdoor amplified sound — would trigger a major modification and additional review.
