Commission denies Inland Bluffs LLC special use permit for Holiday Drive grading project

The Unified Government Commission voted unanimously to deny special use permit SP2026‑044, an 18‑month application from Inland Bluffs LLC to conduct grading and materials movement on roughly 65 of 100 acres near Holiday Drive. Commissioner Melissa Bynum moved to deny the permit, and Commissioner Phil Lopez seconded the motion; the roll call vote was 9‑0.

Attorney Aaron March, representing Inland Bluffs, told the commission the site is undermined from historic limestone mining and the company sought an initial 18‑month trial to remediate the ground and make the parcel developable. "We're only here tonight asking for a special use permit for 18 months to allow us to prove up that we can do this properly in harmony with the community," March said, emphasizing proposed dust controls, setbacks and voluntary conditions requiring a master plan before any renewal.

Commissioner Melissa Bynum cited the Golden factors the board must consider, saying she moved to deny "based on these factors, the character of the neighborhood, the accommodation of the street network, and the reasonable necessity of the project for the welfare of the community." Planning staff had noted significant public opposition and that the planning commission had approved the project 5‑2 while staff had recommended denial earlier in the process.

The denial was recorded by roll call: Hill, Pacheco, Lopez, Stites, Bynum, Kump, Howard, Burns and Ramirez all voted yes, producing a 9‑0 tally. The applicant may request further review in follow‑up meetings, but the board did not adopt the special use permit that evening.