Council approves zoning for temporary Justice Center uses and clears courthouse demolition; staff corrects report mix‑up

Jackson’s Town Council on Dec. 15 approved a zoning map amendment to rezone 252 and 254 East Simpson Avenue from Office Residential to Public/Semi‑Public (PSP) to allow temporary court uses while the new Justice Center is built. Planning staff said the PSP designation enables public review of future county uses and is consistent with adjacent county‑owned properties.

Planning director Tyler Valentine explained the change and noted the planning commission recommended approval. Council voted unanimously to approve the zoning amendment.

The council also considered demolition permits for county buildings. Staff acknowledged an earlier staff‑report error that listed an incorrect building name and clarified the Teton County Historic Preservation Board had reviewed the county courthouse (built 1967) and did not recommend a stay. To clear the record and avoid procedural confusion, the council voted unanimously to approve a “no stay” on the demolition of both the Clifford Hansen courthouse and the county courthouse, allowing permitting to proceed.

Council and staff said the briefing would be followed by more extensive public hearings and presentations in upcoming meetings about the Justice Center project.