Staff says Smoke Tree Resort construction is moving forward, aims for May 2028 completion

Staff provided a construction update on the Smoke Tree Resort during the Aug. 18 meeting, summarizing recent permitting, utility coordination and timeline expectations.

Staff said the resort was demolished and that the project previously received SUP amendments, with the most recent permitting and groundwork activity occurring after site work in 2025. The project initially had 165 guest units under older approvals; subsequent amendments reduced the unit count in stages before current plans. Staff told the commission the applicant has run into utility coordination issues (including ongoing interactions with EPCOR and an APS cabinet that must be screened or relocated) that delayed progress on the groundwork permit and pushed the schedule behind the timeline presented earlier.

On schedule, staff said the applicant hopes to finish groundwork late this year and complete overall construction by May 2028, with an opening in summer 2028. Staff also said they will meet regularly with the applicant and that building permits for interior work will follow once groundwork and utility issues are resolved.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about water approvals and whether the town or applicant missed any items; staff said EPCOR reviewed the water-impact study and their engineer had reviewed it and that the delay resulted from a change at EPCOR that the applicant needed to resolve.