<p>A conceptual drawing from the master plan application shows the style proposed for the typical guest cabin that would be built in the development on the Silvies Valley Ranch, south of Seneca.</p>

JOHN DAY – The much-anticipated master plan for the Silvies Valley Ranch resort guest ranch is headed for a public hearing before the Grant County Planning Commission.

The meeting is set for 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, in the conference room of the Grant County Regional Airport on Airport Road in John Day.

Principal owners Scott and Sandy Campbell propose to expand an existing, modest guest ranch into a deluxe resort that showcases the cattle ranching, wildlife habitat and the natural beauty of the valley south of Seneca. At completion, it would include restaurants, meeting facilities, spa and recreational amenities and up to 575 overnight units including cabins, townhomes and time shares.

They say the project eventually could generate 135-150 family-wage jobs for Grant and Harney county residents.

“They believe that by creating a model ranch retreat that follows good, economical agricultural practices, is ecologically sensitive, that provides new, interesting and good-paying jobs … they can help reverse the trends of lower population, lower income, and kids always being forced to leave the local community to find good jobs,” the master plan documents state.

The target for opening is July 2016.

The Campbells, who have roots in the Burns area, began planning the project several years ago. Last June, the Legislature approved a bill expanding the state’s guest ranch law to allow the specific development.

The master plan would govern development on about 5,000 acres of Silvies Valley Ranch, which spans 40,000 deeded acres and also has 100,000 leased acres.

It calls for phasing in clusters of rental units, using fire resistant landscaping and materials and taking into consideration both natural terrain constraints and impacts on wildlife corridors.

Already under construction at the ranch is an elite golf course that was approved last year as a conditional use under the county’s conventional land use planning rules.

The proposed guest ranch differs from resort and golf developments in other parts of Oregon in that no lots will be sold and the buyers of townhomes or timeshares will not be allowed to become permanent residents. The proponents say that means they will pay property taxes to the county while placing little or no burden on county services.

The master plan is available at the Grant County Planning Department in the basement of the County Courthourse in Canyon City. There will be time for testimony at Thursday’s meeting, and written comments should be submitted by noon that day to be included in the record.

The files at the planning department include letters from Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Kevin Blakely, watershed district manager for ODFW, urged the developers to minimize impacts on pronghorn, deer and elk with appropriate fencing, limits on ATV and snowmobile use, and clustering overnight accommodations as much as possible. He also noted that maintaining the area’s historic wildlife habitat would provide valuable viewing opportunities for the ranch guests.

Angie Johnson, ODF’s John Day Unit forester, in a Nov. 30 letter, urged fire resistant plantings and building materials, and asked for clarification of fire protection plans.

The commission could approve or deny the application, or request additional information before acting. The panel’s recommendations are tentatively set for County Court consideration on Feb. 8.