Air Park unable to land with P&Z commissioners in Island Park

ISLAND PARK – Plans for a controversial aerial park on Henrys Lake Flats are facing increasing turbulence.

The Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission has unanimously rejected a proposal by developers to change the county’s comprehensive zoning map and zoning from rural to industrial. The decision was made during a planning and zoning meeting Saturday.

An estimated 500 people attended the four-and-a-half-hour meeting at the EMS building on Library Road, with 80 more following the event online.

“I think this is a spot zone. I think this doesn’t fit the environment. This doesn’t fit the overall plan,” said Cathy Koon, St. Anthony’s representative on the Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission. “This is being done to benefit a particular landowner and not for the benefit of the community as a whole.”

Imperial Investments, a Montana-based LLC, had filed a petition to change the zoning of their 432-acre property in the Plains from rural to industrial to accommodate the airport. They also filed a petition to change the Fremont County zoning for the property, which lies east of U.S. Highway 20 near Henrys Lake, from rural to industrial.

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The airfield would consist of a 5,200-foot runway stretching across the site, with private homes and private hangars on either side.

According to a Fremont County Sketch Plan, the property was purchased by Imperial Investments in 2021 and is currently being transferred to Island Air Park Limited Liability Corporation, owned by Kevin and Doug Button and based in Idaho.

A site drawing suggests the airfield would include eight hangars, a clubhouse and 30 private lots ranging in size from 1.77 to 62.28 acres.

The current owners of the property, Douglas and Kevin Button, along with their attorney and an engineer, spoke in favor of the plan.

“It’s used exclusively as a residential airfield with very little air traffic,” Kevin Button said. “…The only way there’s going to be no development on that property is if you buy it.”

About forty people spoke out against the proposed changes.

Teri Ehresman, representing affected Island Park property owners, submitted a 168-page petition with 7,181 signatures opposing the changes. The petitioners also called for a review of the master plan and development code.

She cited Policy 13 of the Comprehensive Plan, which states: “It is the policy of Fremont County to prevent the creation of nuisances and to require that new developments be compatible with their surroundings. Industrial land uses that would have a negative impact on the environment should not be permitted in the County. Commercial developments should generally be restricted to designated industrial areas.”

Angie Illum, general manager of Timbers at Island Park Resort, which is located next to the apartments, said the proposed project would negatively impact nearby property owners.

“It would be difficult to explain to the 3,200 timeshare owners why planes would be flying over the resort at 132 feet above the ground,” she said.

Island Park Fire District Commissioner Joe Sella also recommended that the commission vote against the proposal, arguing that Island Park’s volunteer fire department is inadequate for an airfield and that a 24-hour fire station is needed.

In addition, five nonprofit environmental organizations – Nature Conservancy, Henrys Fork Wildlife Alliance, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Henrys Fork Foundation and National Parks Conservation Association – warned that changing the master plan and rezoning the land would “destroy wildlife habitat, block animal migration routes, threaten endangered species and degrade water quality,” according to a press release from the Henrys Fork Wildlife Alliance.

“Economic growth is possible without permanently losing the important wildlife habitat, productive lands, scenic views and cultural heritage of the Henrys Lake Flats,” said Matthew Ward, representative of the Nature Conservancy.

If the plan to build an air park is not approved, the developers intend to build new housing on top of the apartments.

“The alternative is to maximize the development of the area at 20 lots per 100 acres. (That becomes 84 lots),” said Kevin Button. “…Many of you realize that this is the lesser of the two evils we are deciding today, but it is the reality.”

Ultimately, Fremont County commissioners will hold another meeting to make the final decision on the proposed comprehensive plan and zoning changes. Developers can also appeal the commissioners’ decision if the proposal is rejected.

The Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission is also expected to hold a public hearing in September on an application for the Flat Rock Hotel, a three-story, 132-room Marriott hotel. This project is unrelated to the Airpark proposal and would be built on the Henrys Lake Flats west of US-20.