Haight land use change approved

At the December 21 Hot Springs County Commissioners meeting held at the Annex Building, County Planner Bo Bowman presented an application requesting the land-use change from agricultural to commercial from Wyatt and Beau Haight. The request is regarding approximately 14 acres, which include an enclosed events area, a 40 space improved RV campground, and a 40 space improved horse trailer campground. The subject property is a 76.2-acre parcel located at 324 Highway 20 North. There are 10 conditions for approval on the checklist. 

Chairman Tom Ryan opened a public hearing for comments. Resident Tom Smith, a neighbor to the north of the property offered his support to the applicants and said it would be “a big benefit to the community.” Stephen Domhoff, a neighbor to the south, also spoke and offered his support to the Haight’s. There were no more comments from the public.

The commissioners then went through their checklists for the application and did not find any issues. Commissioner Phil Scheel made the motion to approve the land-use change and commented, “I want to just give our appreciation to the land use planning process and the Land Use Planning Commission and the planner and the applicants for going through the process before starting.” Commissioner Jack Baird seconded. The commissioners voted and passed the approval of the land-use change. 

Sheriff Jerimie Kraushaar informed the commissioners that Kim Black will be retiring. Her last day will be April 30. Kraushaar wants to employ her replacement in the near future so that subject can be properly trained in time. Kraushaar also said that Molly Coyne might move on and the new trainee would learn Black’s areas along with Coyne’s. Kraushaar added that he has enough money in their budget to pay for the new hire while Black is still an employee. There would be one month for accepting applications and two months of training. The commissioners said they had no problem with the sheriff’s plans. 

The commissioners made their final selection for the Black Mountain Road Project Consultation. They chose T-O Engineers for the process. The commissioners voted and approved to send a note to T-O Engineers to notify them of their selection. 

The commissioners voted and passed a COVID-19 Vaccination Grant for $61,974. The grant is a three-year contract.

In other business, the commissioners voted to approve the OneWyo Opioid Settlement MOA. The documents say that 35% of the money will go to the state, 65% to local governments. Hot Springs County’s portion is 0.86%. 

The commissioners also voted and passed approval to accept: The Airport Master Plan Year-End Reports where they spend $158,825; the HSG Master Plan RFR #16 for $2,815; and Resolution 2021-09 Opposing the Federal Government’s “30x30”. 

The commissioners also made various board appointments. They are: Fair Board, Will Farrell; Natural Resources Planning Board, Heather Jones; Travel & Tourism Board, Sherman Skelton; Big Horn Basin Nature & Discovery Board, Brad Becerra. 

The commissioners voted to appoint Dr. Vernon Miller to be the County Health Officer. Miller was the only subject to apply for the position. The commissioners voted and approved the appointment. 

The commissioners also held a public hearing to address the request for a land-use change for the Steven’s property and their Tipi Retreat business. 

County Planner Bo Bowman introduced the application to the commissioners and said that the property is located on the end of Coyote Run and has been operating as a lodging business using 12 tipis.

The commissioners ultimately voted to deny approval of the land use change for the Tipi Retreat from agricultural to commercial.

A full story on the information presented during the public hearing will appear in next week’s Independent Record.