Upon hearing rumors of a large-scale commercial development in Suce Creek, we filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Park County Planning Department last week.

Through this request, we learned that Flex Capital Group, a Miami-based real estate investment firm, is proposing a large destination resort complex, including 100 cabins, a central facility with a bar, restaurant, spa, and event space on 90 acres of Park County agricultural land.

Renderings that Flex Capital Group provided to the County as an illustration of a development of theirs in Utah. They are proposing a similar objective in Suce Creek.

Renderings of the cabins that Flex Capital Group provided to the County as an illustration of a development of theirs in Utah. They are proposing a similar objective in Suce Creek.

The site is located on the south side of Suce Creek Road, about half a mile from East River Road. The property is currently listed for sale. We do not know the details regarding the status of the property ownership, or any pending sale.

This resort is poised to completely transform the rural Suce Creek neighborhood. Suce Creek is known for its abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears and moose. It’s a quiet residential area with a popular local trailhead leading to the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness. There are working agricultural lands up Suce Creek, including the parcel in question.

Site map of location with approximate property boundaries.

Unfortunately, there is nothing standing in the way of Flex Capital Group from constructing this sprawling 90-acre resort. Commercial developments like this do not require local subdivision review. This lack of oversight explains why little is known about the project—public review isn’t required.

In fact, all the developers need to do is obtain permits for water and wastewater systems with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. That, along with a commercial building permit from the state, is all they need to break ground.

We all recognize and value the local tourism industry, but these aren't the local, homegrown hospitality businesses we’re accustomed to. These are land speculators moving into the heart of our county.

Right now we are powerless to stop, or even guide these new luxury developments that threaten agricultural lands, water, wildlife, and our way of life.

But we do have a local tool that could help. The Park County Agricultural and Residential Preservation District (District), also known as the Conflict Mitigation Zoning District, that county commissions shelved two years ago. The District was designed to address this very type of commercial development in Park County. It went through years of development, with the community involved in shaping the final product.

We believe the proposed District adds important local guardrails to allow responsible development but also mitigate impacts to wildlife and our community.

We have seen enough luxury amenity developments occur without any checks and balances in the last couple years. Please write and call the county commissioners and urge them to bring up the Park County Agricultural and Residential Preservation District for public discussion and engagement again. We cannot afford to wait around to see what’s next, because what’s next is the construction of a luxury resort with 100 individual cabins up Suce Creek.

Commercial Development Proposed in Suce Creek