Nearly one-third of the Durango Nordic Center’s trails could be at risk with the proposed development of a 166-unit luxury RV Park near Purgatory Resort.
“We are not opposing the development,” said Tom Holcomb, president of the Durango Nordic Ski Club. “But we want to work with the developer to ensure the continuation of something that resembles the existing trail network.”
Last fall, plans came to light for the Hearthside Luxury Motorcoach Resort, a luxury RV community on 54 acres along U.S. Highway 550, across from Cascade Village. The land was recently sold to the developer.
On March 21, the San Juan County Planning Commission will review the project and submit a recommendation to San Juan County commissioners, who will make a final decision on April 12.
The meetings are both open for public comment.
According to Holcomb, the development would wipe away 3 to 5 miles of the Nordic Center’s 14 miles of cross-country terrain, most on the northern loop, an area conducive to beginner and intermediate skiers.
Holcomb said officials with the Nordic Center reached out to the developer, Michigan-based Hearthside Grove, in January with the hope of integrating some of the trails into the project.
However, Holcomb said the center’s attorney was told the developer was not interested in preserving the trails and suggested the center find new terrain on Forest Service property. Calls to Hearthside Grove, as well as Pogue Texas, the company negotiating the land sale, were not returned Tuesday afternoon.
Holcomb said he understands the rights of a property owner to develop on private land, but the Nordic Center wants to work with Hearthside Grove for the benefit of all interested stakeholders.
“We think it’s a benefit to the folks purchasing the property up there, and also to the overall community,” he said. “The Nordic Center is really the only place in our county that offers the most reliable conditions for snow. We want to keep that viable in light of the development on the table.”
According to Holcomb, the Nordic Center and land surrounding it were owned by Durango Mountain Holdings, which recently sold the northern parcel to Hearthside Grove. At the southern edge, Durango Mountain Holdings is developing the Tacoma Village, and working with the Nordic Center to maintain trails, Holcomb said.
Mark Reavis, planning director for Silverton and San Juan County, said Hearthside Grove is going through the proper channels to develop on its privately-held land.
“I understand the emotion behind it (the loss of Nordic terrain), but I’ve suggested they provide information to the developer on the positive nature and economic benefits of trail usage, and then work with the developer on that,” Reavis said.
Reavis was unaware of previous correspondence between the Nordic Center and Hearthside Grove but said the public commenting process is the best chance for those concerns to be aired.
He added that Hearthside Grove included in its development agreement that it wants internal trails, as well as connectivity to trails. He suggested impassioned Nordic skiers should strive for a conciliatory tone.
“If someone comes out too aggressive and starts putting out mandates, of course the developer is going to want to protect its financial interests,” he said.
The Nordic Center has been in operation since 1954, and now has about 5,000 visitors a year who also patronize Purgatory Resort and other local businesses, Holcomb said.
Hearthside Grove’s development, for its part, is expected to bring $25 million in property taxes to San Juan County. The lots would be developed in three phases for Motorcoach homes, which are high-end RVs.
The developers have promised to develop the project in a way that would blend in with the surrounding forest and scenery. They hope to begin construction this summer, with completion by spring 2018.
This article has been updated to correct the amount of RV units.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
