Fremont County P&Z Commission Denies Requests By Developers

ISLAND PARK, Idaho—On Saturday, July 24th, approximately 500 people attended the Fremont County Planning and Building Commission public hearing at the Island Park EMS building to express their opposition to the controversial proposed airpark development on the Henrys Lake Flats. 

The meeting room quickly filled shoulder to shoulder, and many were forced to watch the hearing through the exterior windows. Over 40 individuals and various organizations gave public comments, all opposing the proposed airpark community to be built east of U.S. Highway 20 on the Henrys Lake Flats. Imperial Investments LLC of Dillon, Montana, owns the property and filed an application requesting an amendment to the Fremont County Comprehensive plan and a zone change from a rural base to an industrial one. After hearing over 4 hours of testimony, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously denied the amendment and zone change, citing a failure to comply with the existing comprehensive plan and considering the rezone an illegal “spot zone.” 

Douglas Button and his son Kevin Button represented Imperial Investments LLC. They presented at the beginning of the hearing regarding what they planned to do with the land and why they requested the proposed changes. They included two blueprints for the parcel, one for an airpark community and the other for a residential community designed for short-term rentals. The Buttons also had a hired engineer and attorney speak on behalf of the proposed developments, arguing that because commercial development already exists near their parcel, it wouldn’t be considered a spot zone. They also stated that the close proximity to the highway would make this location ideal for an airpark. 

Teri Ehresman of the Involved Property Owners of Island Park presented a petition she started to the P&Z commission and stated, “What the 7,181 plus people who signed a petition about the issue are requesting is that this application for a change to the Comprehensive Plan be denied and instead the Comprehensive Plan be reviewed and updated following community input and meetings, followed by public hearings. The comprehensive plan has not been correctly updated since 2008.” 

Angie Illum, the general manager of the Timbers at Island Park Resort, also spoke against the proposed development. She stated, “It would be difficult to explain to 3200 timeshare owners why planes would be flying above the resort at 132 feet above ground level.” The Timbers resort has been open since 1975 and is located on the edge of the Henrys Lake Flats, in the direct flight path of the proposed runway. 

Joe Sella, Island Park Fire District Commissioner, asked the P&Z commissioners to deny the application. He said the rural Island Park volunteers are not equipped to handle the proposed airpark, which would require a full-time fire station operating 24/7. Approximately 40 individuals spoke against the proposed development, citing the outdated Fremont County Comprehensive Plan, the inherent loss of habitat for wildlife, the need for expanded infrastructure, and the fear of overdevelopment of a sensitive landscape.

In addition to the several dozen concerned citizens who spoke against the proposed comprehensive plan amendment and rezone request, several conservation-oriented non-profit organizations, including the Henrys Fork Wildlife Alliance, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, National Parks Conservation Association, Henrys Fork Foundation, and the Nature Conservancy, all went on record encouraging the commission to deny the requests because of reasons such as threatening endangered species, loss of wildlife habitat, blocking migration routes, and degradation of water quality.

The Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation to deny the comprehensive plan amendment and rezone request will be sent to the Fremont County Commissioners for the final decision. Imperial Investments LLC can appeal the decision if the Commissioners deny the requests. 

Another similar proposal for developing a Marriott-affiliated hotel on the Henrys Lake Flats will soon be brought before the P&Z commission. A public hearing will likely be scheduled sometime in September. 

Henrys Fork Wildlife Alliance is a non-profit 501(c) formed in the summer of 2019 to protect and conserve the native wildlife and its enjoyment by the public in the Henrys Fork Watershed. HFWA claims a hands-on approach to wildlife conservation by hosting and assisting with numerous conservation projects and events throughout the year. For more information about HFWA, please visit henrysforkwildlifealliance.org