Brennan family seeks approval for private airplane landing strip near Powell

The Park County Board of County Commissioners convened on May 20, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including a special use permit application for a private landing strip and a minor subdivision proposal.

The meeting began with a public hearing regarding a special use permit (SUP) application submitted by Dan and Patty Brennan. The application seeks approval for a private airplane landing strip measuring approximately 3,120 feet in length and 100 feet in width, along with a 40 by 60-foot hangar and a hay barn. The proposed site is located about 12 miles west of Powell, within a General Rural Preservation (GRP) zoning district, where landing strips are permitted with a special use permit.

The commissioners reviewed the application details, noting that the property is currently irrigated cropland and that a portion is within a special flood hazard area, although the project itself is not in the floodplain. The Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District identified four soil types on the property, all considered prime farmland if irrigated. Various agencies, including the Park County Weed and Pest and the state fire inspector, provided feedback, with no objections raised regarding the proposal.

The applicant confirmed that the landing strip would operate privately, with an average of 10 to 15 landings per week during daylight hours. The commissioners discussed the necessary conditions for approval, including compliance with noise and lighting regulations, and the requirement for a long-term noxious weed management plan. After closing the public hearing, the board unanimously approved the special use permit with the stated conditions.

Following this, the board moved on to a public hearing for the Cow Creek Estates minor subdivision application submitted by Ty and Tammy Henderson. The proposal involves splitting a 309.29-acre parcel into five lots, ranging from 1.2 to 2.3 acres, while leaving a remainder parcel of approximately 300.75 acres. The subdivision is also located in a GRP zoning district, and the proposed lot sizes comply with zoning regulations.

The commissioners received input from relevant agencies, including the fire district and Black Hills Energy, regarding infrastructure and utility services. Concerns were raised about the potential for inadequate room for wells and driveways due to easements on the property. The planning staff recommended approval of the sketch plan with several conditions, including the need for a water distribution plan and a long-term noxious weed management plan.

The board discussed the conditions for the subdivision approval, emphasizing the importance of addressing shared maintenance responsibilities for the access road and ensuring compliance with state regulations regarding water wells. The commissioners ultimately approved the sketch plan for Cow Creek Estates with the outlined conditions.

In conclusion, the meeting addressed significant developments in Park County, with the approval of both the special use permit for the private landing strip and the minor subdivision, reflecting ongoing growth and land use planning in the region.