ROUGH ACRES RANCH: PROPOSED CONFERENCE RETREAT, WELLNESS CENTER & CAMPGROUND IN BOULEVARD

Maximum occupancy of 2,600 people is twice the population of Boulevard

Hearing May 8 at Boulevard Planning Group; Comments on proposal accepted through May 12

Photo: Protest held at same site during Sunrise Powerlink groundbreaking

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2014 (Boulevard) – Properties controlled by the Hamann Companies entities and family are proposed for a variety of large-scale projects on McCain Valley Road in Boulevard, gateway to the McCain Valley, a federal recreation area.  None are popular with neighbors, thus far. Hamann gained approval for industrial wind turbines as part of Tule Wind and has been pushing to convert another 765 acres to industrial solar as part of Soitec’s controversial proposed projects. The site hosted the groundbreaking for Sunrise Powerlink, drawing protesters from across the county.

Now, Hamann is also seeking a Major Use Permit to construct a conference retreat and wellness center and a campground on 713 acres. At capacity, the facility could house up to 2,600 people—or more than twice the current population of the entire town of Boulevard. 

The project would include a lodge, 22 bungalows, a bunkhouse, one residence, a kitchen/communal living area, an agricultural building, hay barn, corrals, cold room building, auxiliary building, restrooms, and an existing helipad built by SDG&E.  A guesthouse and poultry coops would also be rebuilt.  In addition, the project would add two campgrounds with 149 campsites, two clubhouses, two swimming pools, an equestrian center, a 200-person ampitheater, archery course, skeet-shooting range, multi-purpose athletic field, plus widening and improving unpaved roads.  There will also be new ranch residences for employee housing and transient habitation, served by onsite septic and groundwater.  The project would be supported by 10 permanent and 20 temporary staff.

The project will include five phases of construction of the facilities over a five-year period. The project proposes access from McCain Valley Road. A new secondary access road would provide secondary access, which would connect Ribbonwood Road to the southern portion of the project site. This road would also provide secondary access to neighbors, as well as to local correctional and border patrol facilities.

The site is subject to the General Plan Regional Category Rural Lands with a Land Use Designation of RL-80 (1 dwelling unit per 80-acres). Per the County’s Zoning Ordinance, the Campground Facility would be classified as Transient Habitation (Zoning Ordinance § 1545) as its primary use. Zoning for the site is A72 General Agricultural  which allows Transient Habitation with approval of a Major Use Permit...

The Rough Acres Ranch MUP EIR Notice, project documents, maps, and plot plans for a new 713 acre project located at 2750 McCain Valley Road, Boulevard, with maximum occupancy of 2,600 (at least twice the current population of Boulevard), are posted here: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/pds/ceqa/3300-12-021.html

The 1-page Notice of Preparation with comment details is attached and posted here: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/pds/regulatory/docs/3300-12-021/3300-12-021-NOPEIR.pdf

Comments on this large-scale cumulative impact project are due by 4 p.m.May 12, 2014.