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04/17/2007: "Rosario Master Plan One Step Closer To Approval"

(Moran Mansion -Rosario Resort photo)

After seven years, seven million dollars, and twenty-one public meetings, the County has voted to approve- in substance- a Rosario Master Plan that will affect just over 100 acres of the resort. The final approval will move some small acreage from “Rural Farm Forest” to “Master Planned Resort”, will increase total housing units (vacation & employee housing) by 190 units, and increase the size of the marina.

The Council made the decision on Orcas, on Monday, after deliberations on the modified plan, as pesented by Rosario, and recommended for approval by CD&PD (SJC Community & Planning Department) and the SJC Planning Commission.

While the Plan has 78 mitigation measures -and according to the Friends of the San Juans- involves over 40 shoreline issues, the applicants will still have to go through construction planning and approvals from the Federal, State and County agencies when construction permits are applied for. And there is, as always, the opportunity for individuals and groups to appeal the votes or decisions made to approve construction permits, prior to final approval to begin actual construction of the new units, the marina expansion, and the remodel of the Moran Mansion.

Once CD&PD have addressed lingering concerns from the Council about the project, the Council will once again pick-up the Master Plan, and based on the Monday vote, finalize their approval of the Plan.