New Huntsman Springs owners submit new plans
The new owners of Huntsman Springs have submitted an application to amend original master plans for the entire planned unit development (PUD).
Changes include consolidation of several parks within the city of Driggs portion of the development. Other modifications include new roads and access.
Development watchdog, Valley Advocates for Responsible Development (VARD), said the new owners acknowledged the original plan was “ill-conceived.” According to VARD the plan eliminates a planned hotel and retail plaza. Instead, it will include more green space and a new 8-acre park north of the Teton County Courthouse.
The Driggs City Council will get its first formal look at the plan this week to help determine just who, city or county, should oversee the proposal.
The next step will be a preliminary plat application and zone change requests for review and public hearings by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
Teton County Commissioners will review the proposal January 28. Driggs planning staff believes the entire project should be processed by the city.
VARD said the proposal was submitted January 3 by “Driggs Acquisition, LLC,” a subsidiary of a Chicago-based private equity firm called BDT & Company.
In its description of the changes, the company called Huntsman Springs an “unsuccessful resort development” and blamed that on “an ill-conceived quasi-public private plan” by a previous owner who “had no significant development or resort experience.”
The new group claims significant experience. It predicts economic benefits to the city of Driggs, including a new $25 million investment in clubhouse and amenity developments, new home construction, and new jobs. The company projects $4.5 million in future property tax income, $3 million in annual local spending, and $600,000 in new home permit applications. It expects 300 new homes to be built.
Along with 30 units of employee housing, there would be 642 residential units at full build-out.
Hotel units may be considered at some time in the future.
