Planning Board tables Wraith Hill campground permit, requests fire, water and road plans

The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County (ADLC) Planning Board voted 7-0 on May 11 to table Major Development Permit 26-001, an application by Robert and Michelle Snyder to develop a campground with four cabins and eight geodesic domes at Wraith Hill.

Planning Director Carl Hamming told the board staff would recommend conditional approval only if applicants provide an engineered stormwater/grading plan and a fire plan approved by the Georgetown Lake Volunteer Fire Department (GLVFD). He said several items required by the county and state — including DEQ permitting for a public water supply and licensing of shared bathhouses — remain outstanding. Hamming summarized the application and stated that “some of the materials have not been developed yet as far as coordination with Georgetown Lake Volunteer Fire Department developing an approved fire plan.” (Carl Hamming)

Applicants Robert and Michelle Snyder described the proposal as a phased, low-impact hospitality project intended to preserve Wraith Hill’s recreational character. Michelle Snyder said the project is family-run and designed to be limited in scale. She told the board the submitted lodging would accommodate two people per unit, for a submitted maximum occupancy of 24 across the 12 units.

Engineers supporting the application told the board they plan to provide additional technical information when the applicants return. Sarah Jones of DeLuxe Engineering said the team initially proposed a 30,000-gallon cistern to support firefighting efforts and that cistern pumps could deliver 1,000 gallons per minute to firefighting apparatus when needed. “What they initially proposed was 30,000,” Jones told the board, adding that final sizing will track the occupancy and GLVFD input. (Sarah Jones)

Board members and several neighbors pressed for clearer plats, road easement responsibilities for Lagger Gulch Road, baseline hydrogeologic data for existing wells, septic design details, and a formal evacuation plan. After discussion, Board member Frank Fitzpatrick moved to table the application “until the Planning Staff comes back with another recommendation and conditions after giving the applicant the information from this evening and giving them time to gather further information,” a motion seconded by Lorelei Saffle; the motion passed 7-0. (Motion: Frank Fitzpatrick; second: Lorelei Saffle)

Next steps: the applicants must provide the missing technical submittals and address the board’s stated concerns before the Planning Board will reconsider a recommendation to the County Commission.