Moffat County officials are working their way through a request from Peabody Energy to expand the company’s temporary employee housing at 3037 E. Victory Way.

A public hearing before Moffat County Planning Commissioners is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. The planning commission is an advisory board, and Moffat County Commissioners are set up hold another hearing on the project at 8:45 a.m. Aug. 13.

According to Moffat County Planning and Zoning lead Candace Miller, planning commissioners could vote Tuesday to recommend approving the request from Peabody, disapproval or approval with certain conditions, and Moffat County Commissioners will make the final decision on the temporary-use permit.

Miller described the proposal as “the epitome of temporary housing,” saying that because the units are on skids and have no underground connections — their water, septic and electric all run above ground — the units can be set up and taken down in just a couple of days.

The land at 3037 E. Victory Way is zoned for agricultural use, and the company that owns Twentymile Mine is seeking to expand existing temporary housing in Moffat County with the addition of four five-bedroom units. Currently, Peabody has 16 three-bedroom units on the property in Moffat.

Additionally, Miller said Peabody has a lengthy policy dictating the rules for the temporary housing units, and they are used to house Peabody workers only.

The company is looking for temporary use up through 2028 with the potential of shifting its housing units in Routt County to Moffat County, which would require an amendment to the company’s application or be handled through the renewal process.

Miller noted that the project has generated some discussion among neighbors and nearby property owners, and Miller emphasized that feedback is important as the planning commissioners decide what to do with their recommendation.

Miller added that even if Moffat County Commissioners approve the request on Aug. 13, there would still be other permitting and documentation that must be submitted and approved before the project can move forward.

“There are a lot of things that have to go into play before a final approve on the temporary use for them to start construction,” Miller said.