Planning board sends subdivision application onto commissioners

At the February 8 Hot Springs County Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC), County Planner Bo Bowman presented an application for Kurt & Lisa Shaffer, aka Shaffer Development LLC, to request approval of the following: 1. A Preliminary Subdivision Plat, dividing 36.1 acres into seven lots, ranging in area from 3.8 acres to 6 acres; 2. A Land Use Change from Agricultural to Residential, for proposed lots 1 through 6; 3. A Land Use Change from Agricultural to Commercial, for proposed Lot 7.

The property is a portion of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 13, Township 42 North, Range 95 West. It fronts 1,600 feet on the south side of Buffalo Creek Road, 1,400 feet southeast of Highway 20 South, and is adjacent to the Dinosaur Center property.

LUPC board member Harvey Seidel recused himself from the meeting’s decisions because he is the previous owner of the property. 

Chairman Adam Estenson opened the meeting for public comments and only one citizen spoke. Neighbor Vic Ohrmund, who lives across Buffalo Creek Road, spoke of his concerns about irrigation runoff wastewater that contained chemicals that prevented his crops from growing. His property is downhill from the applicant’s land. Chairman Estenson said that the matter should be explored before the application goes before the County Commissioners. 

There were no more public comments given. LUPC board member Merrill Ready added, “I’m happy with the fact that you guys came in with this. I know all your ducks were in a row from the start. I am really happy to see this. It makes this a lot easier process when everything else is brought to us first so that we can go through it. I’d like to congratulate you.”

After that, the LUPC went through their checklists and then voted and passed the approval to recommend the application to the County Commissioners. 

In old business, the LUPC board members elected the 2023 Officers. Adam Estenson was re-elected as Chairman and Merrill Ready was re-elected as Vice Chairman.