PARK ISLAND Residents spoke before Fremont County commissioners for more than two hours on Wednesday night, pleading with them to uphold an earlier ruling that had rejected a major development in the Henrys Lake Flats.
An estimated 80 persons attended the public hearing, which was held at Fremont County High School in St. Anthony. The majority of those in attendance traveled from Island Park. 23 locals came up against the appeal by Utah-based Ensign Hospitality LLC, which wants to proceed with its proposed Flat Rock Hotel project in spite of the Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission’s rejection last November.
Elaine Winegar, a longtime Island Park resident, chastised the commissioners for forcing people to drive down the hill to attend the public meeting in St. Anthony rather than Island Park, claiming that many more people would have shown up if they hadn’t had to.
During the appeal process, the developer changed the project’s name from hotel to guest lodge, which was criticized by the opponents as a cosmetic alteration that had no bearing on the project’s scope or impact.
According to one speaker, it doesn’t alter the fact that it is a massive resort development.
RELATED: The public is debating the proposed 132-room Henrys Lake hotel and resort.
The proposed site is classified Rural Base, the least disturbed category under Fremont County’s development policy, according to the Henry’s Fork Wildlife Alliance. Opponents contend that the 132-room project, which includes 5,000 square feet of conference space, a spa, restaurant, bar, 10 residences, 25 units of employee housing, and other infrastructure, resembles a commercial hotel, which is often prohibited in rural areas even if guest lodges are allowed in this area.
Speakers mentioned issues such as harm to the world-class trout fishery, water quality, aquifer recharge, and sensitive habitat for pollinators, long-billed curlews, pronghorn, and grizzly bears.
Increased traffic, auto and wildlife collisions, poor sanitation and sewer systems, a shortage of housing for employees, and the burden on already overburdened emergency, fire, and law enforcement agencies were further worries.
Commissioners were informed by Angie Illum, who has worked in hotel hospitality for 35 years, that nothing has changed since you declined this application.
Jared Nelson, Ensign’s lawyer, stressed that the project will be constructed on private property and contended that it is an allowed use under the current zoning. Although he admitted that the project is a hotel, he stated there were no issues because the company has worked with Idaho Fish and Game on wildlife movement patterns.
Nelson stated that Island Park will remain open whether or not Ensign is present. We are open to suggestions and prepared to work together.
Commissioners are expected to make a decision within 60 days after considering everyone’s remarks.
The public can access a complete copy of the appeal and related documents online here.
