Commissioners approve special-use permit for commercial recreation area near Long Island Lake

The Sarpy County Board approved a special-use permit June 30 to allow a commercial recreation area on about 71.18 acres southwest of 87th Street and Kawi Drive in the unincorporated county.

Planning Director Robert Loroko presented the request on behalf of Long Island Gravel Company, describing the site as already developed with four cabins, several well housings operated under agreement with the City of Pilion, and an existing private firearms range. The applicant proposed one additional cabin and revised the cabin location after city review to avoid wetlands and well housings. "The request complies with the requirements of the Sarpie County zoning ordinance," Loroko said, recommending approval with conditions, including floodplain-elevation requirements.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Commissioners questioned whether the existing structures could serve as emergency shelter during severe weather; staff said the use is limited to cabins that operate like single-family residences and that the applicant submitted a required operations plan and emergency-operations plan addressing flood events and evacuation procedures. The Pilion Gun Club provided a letter of concurrence for the revised cabin location.

The board moved and approved the special-use permit with the conditions noted in the staff recommendation. The approval requires compliance with floodplain-development regulations and the submitted emergency-operations plan.

County officials noted the site sits in an AE flood zone and that any construction must meet floodplain-elevation and other regulatory requirements before occupancy.