Deputy County Attorney Jim Radda said Monday that although dogs are allowed in most of Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis, they are prohibited in 22 new affordable homes there.

Radda also told the Teton County Board of Commissioners it doesn’t need to discuss the matter during its Jan. 5 meeting because there is no proposal to change the development’s master plan.

“Basically, there are two conditions,” Radda said. “One pertains to the [development] in general and is a restriction that requires dogs be kept leashed.

“That other condition states there is a prohibition with respect to the affordable housing lot.”

The issue arose in recent weeks after the Teton County Housing Authority advertised for applicants for the homes. Potential homeowners were told they could have one dog, but it had to be restrained at all times.

Neighbors protested, saying dogs were never allowed because the affordable homes are in moose habitat.

The property also was formerly in the natural resources overlay and abuts Grand Teton National Park.

Housing authority Executive Director Christine Walker said the record wasn’t clear, and her agency was told that dogs were allowed.

Paula Stevens, associate planning director for the county, said the 1998 master plan outlined that all dogs in the development must be restrained.

An amendment to the development’s master plan in 2002 added the prohibition on dogs in the affordable segment of the development.
Radda said commissioners don’t need to discuss the matter in a public hearing because no one has proposed a change to the master plan.

“Vail Resorts, as the landowner, has the option of applying for an amendment for the master plan, as would anyone in the [development in general],” Radda said. “As the new owners come on board, the owner could apply for it.”

Walker estimates 25 percent of the applicants are dog owners.

The application period for the homes closed Wednesday afternoon.

The housing authority received 130 applications for all the homes. Some people submitted applications multiple times because they qualified for several of the units.

Lottery winners will be announced as scheduled Monday.