Golf course at Stoner put on hold

Golf course at Stoner put on hold

Jan. 3, 2001

By Jim Mimiaga
Journal Staff Writer

Citing a faltering economy, the developers of a proposed private golf resort in the Dolores River Valley have decided to put the project on hold.

Investors in the Stoner Creek Preserve announced Wednesday that plans to turn a 400-acre ranch at Stoner into an exclusive 18-hole course with lodging, luxury homes, fishing and other recreation were being shelved indefinitely.

"With the stock market down significantly, business earnings in decline, dropping consumer confidence, and a poor tourism market, we believe that it is unwise to proceed with the Stoner Creek Preserve at this time," said Dan "Yogi" Kirst, one of the investment partners, in the press release.

Following several sometimes-contentious public meetings on the matter, the Montezuma County commissioners gave conditional approval to a high-impact permit for the development. But they required strict water-quality monitoring, river-protection measures and adherence to applicable county, state and federal regulations and permits.

Jam-packed meetings attracted mostly supporters of the plan, who said a green golf course was better than a gravel mine or housing development and would provide an economic boost and jobs to the area. The comprehensive development plan also respected open-space values by clustering 10 guest cabins and home sites away from the river. Private homes were limited to eight.

Critics expressed concerns about effects on the Dolores River’s water quality, fertilizer runoff, pesticide and herbicide use, protection of riparian habitat, safe sewer disposal, rafting rights-of-way, increased traffic and the exclusive nature of the private resort.

Heeding watershed protection as a paramount concern, the commissioners mandated a monitoring plan that uses an independent laboratory to test samples twice a year from three in-stream stations and four groundwater stations. Water data would be made public, and extra testing would be required after a major storm or flooding event.

Head resort planner and investor Peter Jamar said economic indicators for tourism, recreation and real-estate would be watched closely over the next year to determine the project’s feasibility in the future.

"We are planning to pursue the golf course at some future time when economic conditions are favorable and will work with landowners to allow that to happen," Jamar said.

County Administrator Tom Weaver said there is no time limit on the high-impact commercial permit, but pointed out it was only a first step in the planning process for such a large project.

A planned-unit-development zoning designation still needs to be obtained from the county before the eight homes, 10 3,500-square-foot guest cabins and an expanded lodge could be built.

"There are no time restraints, but the permit issued is only valid if the conditions are followed," Weaver said.

Developers had hoped to be open for business by 2005.