Teton commissioners approve Wildlife Art Museum PUD amendment for expansion

Teton County’s Board of County Commissioners approved a master plan amendment for the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s planned unit development (PUD2025-0002) on March 3, clearing the way for a major addition at 2820 Rungius Road north of Jackson. The amendment increases the museum’s 1993 PUD entitlements by 7,749 square feet of habitable floor area (to 55,494 sq. ft. total entitlement) and adds 27,363 square feet of allowable site development (to 260,700 sq. ft.). The proposal is tied to a 34,513-square-foot project that includes 23,243 square feet of above-grade floor area and an 11,270-square-foot basement that is exempt from floor-area calculations. (See: Board of County Commissioners staff report packet.)

County planners said the expansion is located within an already-developed portion of the 69-acre site, which is within the Scenic Resources Overlay and mid/high tiers of the Natural Resources Overlay. Staff noted that roughly half the property is encumbered by a conservation easement held by the Jackson Hole Land Trust, and that a final habitat mitigation plan and cost estimate are expected at the building permit and grading permit stage once exact disturbance is known. (Board of County Commissioners staff report packet.)

The museum property is a Planned Unit Development–Rural 1 zone originally approved in 1993 for both museum space and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge-related facilities; staff said the Phase 2 sleigh-ride headquarters was never built and is not planned. The amendment is intended to shift that unused entitlement toward museum operations, including new gallery, education, and support space. (Board of County Commissioners staff report packet.)