|
Rosario sold for $5.4 million
A buyer, who prefers to remain anonymous for now, purchased Rosario Resort in an auction Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008 for $5.4 million. According to Windermere of Orcas Island Broker John Dunning, the buyer plans to develop the resort in accordance with the master plan approved last year. "He plans to develop the marina and continue the resort," Dunning said. "It's absolutely fabulous news."
No official word has been released from the buyer about his plans for the property. A press release is expected to be issued in the next few days.
The buyer, described as a "a great local guy - if you consider Fidalgo Island local," was introduced to the property by Windermere of Anacortes. PREVIOUS STORIES
SJC Council expresses concern about Rosario closing
posted 08/26/2008
San Juan County Council expressed concern Monday, August 25 about the imminent closing of the Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. The resort, centered around the 100-year-old Rosario mansion built by shipbuilder Robert Moran, is an island landmark and one of the island's largest employers.
Earlier this month, owners of the resort, Olympus Real Estate Group, announced that Rosario would be sold on September 30 in a no-reserve auction.
"This will have a very serious impact on Orcas Island and all of San Juan County," said District 5 Council Member Gene Knapp. "We have year-round, 100 full-time jobs at jeopardy as well one of the County's historic attractions and a major contributor to the tax base."
Knapp noted that in the past Rosario has always been operated as a top of the line resort and he expressed hope that a new buyer will emerge that will continue that tradition.
Last May the Council approved the Rosario Resort's Master Plan for future development which included establishing "private residence clubs" (privately owned individual units with one or more owners) and foresaw the replacement and upgrading of the resort's Marina and guest facilities.
The property's general manager, Dan Dohner, has been quoted as being hopeful that the auction will attract someone who is "passionate enough to make the resort all that it can be." However the continued operation of Rosario as a resort is not assured. It is now scheduled to cease operations on October 20 and the managers say they are attempting to assist its workers in finding other employment.
Rosario Resort will shut down Oct. 20
posted 08/21/2008
Rosario Resort's 195 employees were told today, Friday, August 21, the resort will close October 20, 2008 to "create a buffer and give the new owners breathing room." The 74-acre waterfront resort on Orcas Island will be sold in a no-reserve auction Sept. 30.
General Manager Dan Dohner said, "We all hope the auction will get someone passionate about the property, someone who is passionate enough to make the resort all it can be."
Olympus Real Estate Group and the management company, Gemstone Resorts, are lining up employers for the employees, Dohner said. They are in the Northwest not necessarily in the county. "We're providing an avenue for our employees." he said. " We have steps in place. It's a sad situation. We're trying to alleviate the pain as much as we can." Of the 195 employees, 100 were seasonal.
An employee said, the mood of the employees at the meeting ranged from "It's been a great ride" to shock. Many of the long-time employees have families and are paying mortgages on homes.
The county Council approved a development plan for the resort in 2007 which allows for fractional and residential development at the resort.
Rosario Resort to be put up
for auction Sept. 30
posted 08/13/2008
Rosario Resort will be sold in an absolute, no reserve auction Sept. 30 at the 74-acre resort on Orcas Island according to an article in the Houston Biz Journal.
On June 11, 2007, the San Juan County Council voted 5 to 1 to approve the Rosario Resort Master Plan which combines fractional ownership and residential development. Councilmember Alan Lichter voted against the plan.
One more public hearing to be held for Rosario Master Plan
posted 05/08/2007
San Juan County Council met all day Monday, May 7 in a deliberations in continued public hearing to finalize the council's decision on whether to approve Rosario Resort's Master Plan. The councilmembers went through a list of items, spending most of their time on what county Prosecutor Randy Gaylord referred to as "conduct standards".
In the resort plan, some of the units will be owned by individuals who will be participating in the resort's rental program. Their unit will be available as a rental unit when the owner is not using it. Because this is a commercial activity, the unit can be sited closer to the water than a residential unit could be. Several councilmembers were worried the units might not be rented out and would become residential only.
The council had difficulty finding language to prevent something it wasn't sure would happen, without causing other problems. Some of the councilmembers thought the county should be taking the approach of acting in good faith, councilmember Alan Lichter had a different point of view quoting an Arabic saying, "Trust in Allah, but tie up your camel."
The changes made Monday, May 7 will be incorporated into an ordinance. A public hearing will be scheduled and held before the ordinance is voted on by the council.
Council tentatively agrees 5-1 with Rosario Master Plan,
will meet May 7 for final decision
posted 04/16/2007
County Councilmember Alan Lichter spoke against the Rosario Master Plan which "has held the county hostage for seven years." The plan countervened the citizens' vision of the county which is "small and rural". He was the first to speak during deliberations about the RMP and the sole councilperson against the plan.
The five other councilmembers agreed with the conditions of approval the county planning commission had added and then proceeded through a list of 14 suggestions. Councilmember Gene Knapp wanted to make sure it was clear that the mansion would be renovated and public access to the beach would be retained.
Suggestions regarding fire safety were also added. Councilmember Kevin Ranker brought the process to a halt when he described the three cottages planned for a bluff as likely to appear too blatant from the water. He wanted the location of those cabins and five others redesigned.
Councilmember Rich Peterson said, "Approaching Rosario from the water, nothing's more blatant than the mansion. None of those cottages trouble me."
Knapp said, "The plan has been before the county for seven years. It has been in front of many groups
Many changes have been made. I'm reluctant to change someone else's design."
The council voted 4 to 2, with Peterson and Knapp voting against, to ask the staff to work with the applicant on the siting of the cottages in question. The council will finalize its decision at 10 a.m. May 7.
Rosario Master Plan Hearing Continued to April 16
posted 04/11/2007
San Juan County Council will begin deliberations regarding the Rosario Resort Master Plan at noon Monday April 16 in the Lundeen Room at the Orcas Senior Center. The public testimony portion of the public hearing was closed at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 and the hearing was continued until the 16th. The council is expected to make a decision on the 16th.
Councilmember Bob Myhr has been on vacation and was absent from the public hearing which started at a special meeting held on March 30 on Orcas Island and was continued to April 10. In order to participate in the April 16 deliberations, he must listen to the tapes of the hearings.
If all six council members are in attendance, the master plan needs four votes for approval. The plan has been approved by the county planning commmission with conditions. The master plan is a conceptual plan. Individual elements are subject to Planned Unit Development permits and will go through individual approval processes.
Rosario Master Plan Hearing Continued to April 10
posted 04/04/2007
After more than 20 public meetings, workshops and public hearings during the past seven years, the owners of Rosario Resort presented their Master Plan to the county council at a public hearing on March 30. The plan includes expansion of hotel rooms, condos, employee housing and the marina. Retail space and support services and increased infrastructure are also part of the plan.
Approval is neccessary in order for Rosario to become a profitable enterprise, according to Laurie Cameron, one of the current owners. Previous owners have operated at a loss and have sold off property to stay afloat. If the master plan is not approved - "We really have no choice but to close down the resort and sell to highest bidder. It is not a threat," she said. " It would mean the loss of 200 jobs, $7 million of goods and services. We will find a buyer who will most likely personally occupy the mansion and
build condos by the water."
The majority of the approximately 160 people in attendance appeared to be in favor of the plan. "I've lived here my entire live. I own or partly own three businesses. I can't tell you how important Rosario is. When Rosario does well, we all do well," said Tom Tillman. "It's a diamond that has lost its luster. I don't know why someone would want to come in and invest without a master plan."
The current owner, Olympus, a private equity firm, is planning on selling the resort to a buyer who will develop the property using the plan. Cameron told the council she has a list of interested buyers. One, who was an islander, had to drop out because of all the delays.
The private equity firm is paid a fee to create value on real estate on behalf of their clients. They are working for a public pension fund which includes Dallas fire and water employees, New York City bus drivers and teachers.
About a fourth of the audience members were against the plan. They cited environmental concerns - water, noise, lights, pollution of the bay. Ruthie Newman read a letter into the record expressing concerns Richard Strathman the director of FH UW Labs had about the sewage treatment plan. He could not attend the meeting.
It was pointed out that various elements of the plan will fall under additional permitting and scrutiny from other agencies. The Resort Master Plan is only the first step.
County Senior Planner Shireene Hale said, "The county Planning Commission
was concerned about
potential effects of marina expansion,
but after talking felt (the concerns) would be addressed during the approval process.": The same was true for development within 100 feet of the shoreline. "
It would be addressed later on, once the overall vision was approved."
The Planning Commision added other conditions regarding the employee housing to mitigate the appearance, noise and traffic. Another condition of approval was added regarding stormwater stormwater runoff and building heights in one area were lowered from 40 feet to 35 feet.
Hale explained that the Environmental Impact Statement includes a whole list of mitigating actions. The Planning Commission wanted to make sure the actions took place and added another condition. They were concerned about the adequacy of sewer improvements and added another condition.
Hale said there is
still concern about existing water rights. Rosario has sufficient water rights for what they are proposing, she said. Talks between Rosario and Eastsound Water Users Association are on hold.
Regarding road impacts, the county Dept of Public Works "seems comfortable with what they are proposing." she said. " I expect you will be hearing testimony about road impacts. Sewage discharge is a
whole different process. Rosario will have to revise" permit from the state Dept. of Ecology.
Renovation of the Moran Mansion is also included in the Master Plan. The planning commission wanted to add a condition of approval to ensure the renovation was completed. In order to do so the condition called for the owners to renovate the mansion before doing the rest of the project. Roger Pearce, the owner's attorney objected.
"Requiring it before construction
is unlawful," Pearce said. "It must be a workable condition. We believe it must be integrated. You can't spend several millions of dollars on non revenue producing resources. We propose a condition that gets you to same end but allows you to phase restoration."
Hale reminded the county commissioners, "What you are doing here is just approving an overall vision.
Other processes have separate public hearings."
The public comment was creatively presented. Chris Peacock would have preferred to play the piano for his three minutes of allotted time. He sat down at the piano and played a few bars then said, "Approve the plan or we lose the music."
Barbara Courtney of the Visitors Bureau spoke about endangered species - artists. "As a board member of VIB, I am interested in increasing cultural tourism which supports an endangered species and that is artists. I
hope the Visitors Bureau is in support of the Master Plan. The VB collects a large percentage of lodging tax. Rosario is a large employer on the island and a supporter of tourism.
Andrea Hendrick brought a model of thr proposed expansion to the meeting. She pointed out there is only one road into the community. "This brings our population up 20 percent more than occupied today," she said."
SUMMARY OF PLAN:
- An increase in the number of Rosario Resort vacation units from 131 to 223 (an increase of 92 units). These vacation units will include a mix of fractional and wholly owned condominium units and hotel rooms.
- An increase in the number of Cascade Harbor Inn vacation units from 48 units to 96 units (an increase of 48 units). These vacation units will all be hotel rooms.
- An increase in the number of employee housing units from 20 units (each containing two beds) to 60 units. The increase will provide accommodations for a total of 120 employees.
- An increase in the size of the existing marina from 34 up to 164. The actual size will depend on a SEPA.
- New or improved support services include sewer and water system improvements, resort related retail space, resort related personal services, parking, open space, trails and food service.
The plan is available online at www.co.san-juan.wa.us/cdp/default.asp
Explanation of EIS process for Rosario Resort
posted 09/29/05
PRESS RELEASE: The county Community Development and Planning Dept. issued this press release clarifying the Environmental Impact Statement process regarding Rosario Resort.
The County must review and consider all of the comments received on the draft EIS before moving forward. An acceptable EIS must incorporate and address comments or outstanding issues about significant environmental impacts. Adding a level of mitigation approved by agency specialists in environmental concerns, which adequately addresses those impacts, is critical for approval of any EIS submitted to the department.
Before the department can move forward with public hearings on land use decisions related to the Rosario Master Resort Plan, the EIS must be finalized. If it turns out that the environmental impacts have not been adequately analyzed and addressed, Community Development and Planning (CD&P), as the lead agency, cannot issue the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
A supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement may be needed to address any outstanding issues. The Supplemental DEIS, once prepared, must also be circulated to agencies for review.
While CD&P recognizes the importance of the economic viability of the Rosario Resort to the entire community, it is at this stage of the EIS process that the department is responsible to make sure that potential environmental impacts from the proposed development are properly identified and that appropriate mitigation measures are also identified.
Both are necessary to assist in the permitting process, which is when the mitigation measures become part of the site preparation and construction of the Resort. Along the way to this end, there will be a meeting to take comments on the Draft EIS at the Discovery House at Rosario Resort on October 6, 2005 between 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Progress on Rosario EIS
posted 12/12/05County Community Development and Planning staff met with Rosario Resort representatives on Thursday, December 8, to discuss next steps in the continued effort to complete an environmental impact statement associated with a new resort master plan.
"We had a productive meeting with the new director Ron Henrickson and his staff, and we agreed to some immediate actions to further develop the EIS," said Mike Usen, project manager representing Olympus Real Estate Partners who own the resort."We are going to revise the draft EIS further to address county issues now that we have necessary clarification on these items."
The county staff will receive the amended EIS later this month for additional review, and then the two groups will meet again to outline the next steps.
"We have a shared goal of redeveloping the historic resort as well as to have a sound environmental review of the plan," said Henrickson. "We are moving ahead as carefully and quickly as prudent. We certainly appreciate the contribution the resort makes to our island quality of life."
Pending the next meeting, no new date has been set for Planning Commission review of the resort master plan.
Supplemental EIS requested from Rosario
posted 11-29-05
PRESS RELEASE: San Juan County Community Development and Planning Department has requested that Rosario Resort prepare a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that includes new information and will more clearly identify potential environmental impacts and propose mitigation measures for those impacts.
The Resort prepared a Draft EIS, which has been circulated for review for accuracy and thoroughness to federal, state and local agencies. Comments received have triggered inclusion of new information and some revision of the document. The Department determined that more information is needed in the areas of traffic analysis, environmental impacts on the shoreline, and development of the Hilltop parcel.
County staff cited State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) regulations, the San Juan County Code, and responses from agencies in their analysis of the Draft EIS and their request for supplemental information. The proponent has already added significant new data, including a Traffic Impact Analysis (October 2005); a Marina Biology Report (1997); and a Stormwater Management Plan (October 2005) in response to comments and questions from state and county agencies. New data must be circulated to agencies for review and comments.
Agencies returning substantive comments that required response from the Resort development proponents include the State Parks and Recreation Commission, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Department of Ecology, the State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the San Juan County Public Works Department, the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee, the Lummi Nation, Rosario Utilities, the Friends of the San Juans, and the University of Washington Friday Harbor Laboratories.
A supplemental EIS and the required review by agencies will take some time to accomplish; therefore, the schedule for Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners review of the Rosario Resort Master Plan itself will probably be moved to March or April.
There will also be one public meeting on the supplemental EIS as required under SEPA, which also calls for clearly identified environmental impacts and analysis of methods that will best mitigate or avoid those impacts. This additional information should make the actual permitting for the resort much more efficient and save the developer time once the project is underway.
EWUA and Rosario to increase water system capacity together
posted 03/18/05
The Eastsound Water Users Association and Rosario Utilities have reached an agreement in principal to cooperatively develop additional water system capacity to serve the future needs of Eastsound and the Rosario area. Rosario Utilities has agreed to provide 100 million gallons of water per year to the Eastsound Water Users Association utilizing Rosario's existing, established water rights that are not currently associated with its domestic water system.
An independent engineering and hydrology study has determined that there are sufficient water resources in the Cascade Lake basin to meet the planned future needs of the Rosario service area as well as provide the additional supply to meet the needs of Eastsound. The study takes into account the need to maintain historic lake levels for park and recreational purposes. The water rights for this supply have been used for hydropower generation for Rosario and date back to the 19th century. Rosario's drinking water rights are not affected by the agreement with Eastsound.
Rosario Utilities' General Manager Chris Vierthaler says that "Rosario recognizes how vital water is to our entire community and welcomes the opportunity to work cooperatively towards a better future." Both utilities are members of the East Orcas Water Supply Committee which was organized and sponsored by San Juan County and the Public Health Department to deal with water supply and demand issues for the future, as well as watershed protection. The group provides a mechanism to develop better communication between local water purveyors on water resource and management issues.
The Eastsound Association Board of Directors contacted Rosario Utilities' ownership more than a year ago to begin discussions on available options. Discussions are now continuing between the utilities regarding joint efforts to install the infrastructure and facilities needed to treat and transfer the water. Their plans will likely involve constructing a joint use treatment plant and additional water storage for both companies. Eastsound proposes to construct a pipeline from the Rosario area to deliver treated water to its system.
Eastsound Water General Manager Ted Wixom says that "This will go a long way towards solving the water problems of both utility companies," but cautions that "there is a lot of work ahead to implement this plan."
Both utility companies agree that a cooperative effort is clearly the most efficient and cost effective way to provide a reliable and high quality water supply to their customers. Jim Nelson, President of the Eastsound Water Users Association, stated that "We're delighted that Rosario is willing to share its precious water resource with the island community and we are looking forward to working together with them to develop a practical and sound water management plan for the future."
|
