A large portion of the iconic Henrys Lake Flats in Island Park is at risk of being developed into a three-story hotel and a private residential airpark. Commercial and high-density development will profoundly diminish, obscure, and forever destroy the iconic beauty of vast open-space meadowland.
Open spaces and natural habitats are vital to the cherished wildlife of Island Park—including federally protected grizzly bears that are present on the Flats, native and resident pronghorn whose calves are born in spring, elk, and multiple officially identified “species of greatest conservation need” whose habitat includes the Flats.
Private Luxury Airpark
The proposed airpark will be developed on a 432-acre parcel on the east side of U.S. 20, about 0.7 miles north of Big Springs Loop Rd. Douglas Button of Imperial Investments LLC is heading the project. According to the proposal application, 133 acres of the 432-acre parcel will be rezoned for commercial/industrial use. What is intended for the 133 acres of commercial/industrial rezone is unknown.
The airpark would consist of approximately 32 residential lots encompassing a central airstrip. Many of the lots would front the taxiway, allowing for private airplane storage on each lot.
As of August 24th, the Fremont County P&Z Commission denied Imperial Investments LLC’s comprehensive plan amendment and rezone request. We will continue to monitor future proposals on the Henrys Lake Flats, but the commission’s decision was a monumental win for wildlife!
Three-Story Flat-Rock Hotel
The application submitted by Ensign Hospitality, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, reveals that the project will consist of a 132-room Marriott hotel, ten residences, employee housing, and possibly a 70-stall RV park. The hotel will be officially known as the “Flat Rock Hotel” and will have over 5,000 square feet of meeting space, a full-service restaurant, a bar, and a spa.
Ensign Hospitality submitted this image of the proposed land diagram showing the hotel, homes, and RV park’s location on the 90-acre parcel. Sixty acres of the parcel is in Fremont County, and the other thirty are in the City of Island Park.
The public hearing for this application is now scheduled for November 9th in Island Park. See below for more details!
Rescheduled: The hotel public hearing is November 9th @10 am!
A massive threat to wildlife and Island Park’s scenic beauty has resurfaced with the proposal to build a three-story hotel on the Henrys Lake Flats. We need to speak up and unite as a community against this proposal or risk losing prime wildlife habitat to commercial and high-density development in such a sensitive area.
We need to show up again in full force and show the planning and zoning commission that the Island Park community is united against this high-density commercial development. We are saddened that the county decided to host this hearing when so many seasonal residents are gone, so it’s even more important that you attend if you can make it!
If you wish to speak at the meeting, please arrive early to sign up. You will be given three minutes; please keep your testimony short and to the point.
The meeting will be held at the EMS building (4379 Library Rd, Island Park, ID 83429) in Island Park and will begin at 10 am on Saturday, November 9th.
How Can You Help?
The best way to stop these developments is to unite and raise our voices in opposition. If the citizens of Fremont County raise their voices in opposition to these projects, they can be stopped.
You can help protect the Henrys Lake Flats by doing these three simple things;
- Attend The Public Hearing (November 9th @10am!)
We need to pack the EMS building again and have several community members speak out against the Flats’ development. Please arrive early and sign up for the meeting if you are comfortable speaking at the hearing. (4379 Library Rd, Island Park, ID 83429)
- Sign & Share The Petition
At the public hearing, we will present the names of all who have signed the petition. The goal is to have as many signatures as possible. Anyone interested in protecting the flats can sign! The link to the petition can be found by clicking here!
- Submit a Written Comment (Comments can be received until October 29th!)
Written comments will be accepted and considered if received in the Fremont County Planning and Building Office, 125 North Bridge Street, St. Anthony, ID 83445, no later than Tuesday, October 29th, 2024. Comments may also be submitted by email to P&B@co.fremont.id.us, by that same deadline
Airpark Hearing Recap
Click the button below to read HFWA’s official press release about the outcome of the August 24th public hearing.
Click Here
