Supersize Me ... Broughton Destination Resort

The latest: The presentation by Broughton on May 16, 2007 

At a May 16th Open House hosted by the CGWA, Broughton Resort spokesperson Jason Spadero Manager of SDS Lumber Company and a representative of SE Group Land Planning consultants presented their vision of the Broughton Resort as a recreational 'base camp'. SE Group most recently facilitated the approval of a resort on Orcas Island.

A group of 30 to 50 concerned wind surfers attended and raised a number of questions and objections to the proposal. The density of the development was strongly questioned . Spadero described the resort as consisting of 250 1 to 3 bedroom housing units. Many of these units will have complicated, restricted occupancy rules under which the owners could not occupy the home for more than 6 months at a time and have to stay over night elsewhere every 30 days during this time.

The units will be sold for $300K to $450K each, Spadero said. A private windsurfing launch at Broughton Beach will be available to the purchasers of the units. The resort development will include two railroad underpasses or overpasses, a sound wall, a state of the art wastewater treatment plant. The estimated cost of construction is $ 75 to $80 million. Spadero and SE Group attempted to stress the recreational benefits available to the general public listing hiking trails on the 300 acres of land owned by Broughton, re opening of the overflow windsurfing parking which Broughton closed off, more launch sites on State Fisheries land and a restaurant on the premises which would be open to the public.

Windsurfers who attended questioned Spadero and noted that the recreational advantages he mentioned are not big-ticket items nor are they dependent upon putting in a resort of the scale proposed. The density of the project was the most problematic issue raised because the Hatchery area is already one of the most crowded and congested spots in the Gorge. The addition of close to 1000 additional users and their cars will create serious access and safety issues. The good faith of the developers, who are trying to amend the Scenic Act rules under which they are already allowed 35 permanent dwellings and 175 RV/campsites and a restaurant, was also questioned. And it was suggested that promised improvements such as re opening the overflow parking across Highway 14, determining with certainty if any additional launch sites would be allowed on State Fisheries land and building the RV park should be done before the Gorge Commission approved any construction of a resort at the site.

The enforceability of restrictions on permanent dwelling and the ability to compel the fulfillment of and promises made by the developers were strongly questioned by the public present. Spadero divulged that a 'consulting firm' told Broughton that the high density and $350K to $400 K price tag per unit is what would be required to make the project pay. Windsurfers stated the fact that housing in that location would bring $750K to $1 million for a single family unit without residency restrictions and that Broughton was approved for 35 such dwellings as well as a 175 unit RV park which is sorely needed. Others commented that Fisheries will most likely not allow launch sites nearer the Hatchery and that 1000 more people and their cars will indeed be the result of a high-density resort on windy summer days. This is unacceptable.

Broughton appears to have ambitions more tainted by ego than motivated by common sense or even dollars and cents. The Hatchery is a State Park; consequently all 1000 new residents of Broughton Resort will be free to park their cars in the already crowded lots. Broughton is private land, consequently none of the existing users of the Hatch can access Broughton's launch. Broughton has closed the lot across the highway because they say they think someone will cross the road carrying gear, get run over and sue Broughton.

The results of the meeting underscored that a development of this size just does not belong in one of the already most crowded spots in the Gorge. It would be nice to have more launch sites at the Hatch, it would be great to have the overflow parking opened again, a restaurant would be fun, but not at the cost of that kind of overcrowding. If it is true that a smaller development will not make money for Broughton that is an unfortunate state of affairs for Broughton. It should not be made a problem for the Gorge, its residents and its visitors.

Broughton Developers will continue to press for a change in the rules to allow the larger resort.

Gorge Commission Workshops :The Gorge Commission will hold a workshop on May 30th regarding converting an industrial site to a recreation resort at what is currently SDS Lumber, across from the Hatchery. This workshop will provide background information concerning issues and options regarding a possible conversion. The format for this workshop is four panel discussions focusing on: Background to amendment considerations Impacts on river recreation and access Impacts on neighboring communities Issues and options identified to date There will be time for questions and answers. CGWA will have a representative on the recreation panel.