Whither the Dells?

Yesterday the County Planning and Zoning Commission took the first step toward approval of a major expansion of the Granite Gate Senior Living Community located in historic Granite Dells. In a 4 to 5 vote, the commission recommended approval by the Board of Supervisors at their first meeting in February. Commissioners Jon Barnert and Tom Reilly recused themselves, Reilly because his firm is directly involved in the project. Commissioner Gene Kerkman's was the only dissenting vote.

The 150 new units would take the form of a 4-story addition to the existing facility and two new buildings, with two stories each. One two-story building would be a facility for dementia and Alzheimer's patients and the second would be for rehabilitation, both for Granite Gate residents and outside clients. The total footprint of the expansion would be approximately 50,000 square feet.

God's Garden

The Granite Dells area is an almost other-worldly landscape of weathered rock formations strewn along Granite Creek. It was once a popular picnic spot for early residents of Prescott, and a pavilion followed by a dance hall was built in the early 20th century.

But to those interested in things historic it is perhaps best remembered for the Garden of the Gods Resort that was built in the 1920s. It featured Prescott's first heated swimming pool, a petting zoo and cabins that attracted hundreds of guests. Over the years it fell on hard times and closed in 1970.

The Granite Dells was a favorite location of the silent movie western cowboy hero, Tom Mix, making many movies there and in Williamson Valley between 1913 and 1928. Sharlot Hall Museum's web site is worth checking out for a nostalgic look at the Dells' contribution to movie magic.

Granite Gate was originally built as a resort in 1985, but never completed. It was sold and converted into an assisted living facility that opened its doors in 1994. There are currently approximately 85 employees and the expansion would add about 65 additional employees on three rotating shifts.

Pros and Cons

In order to accomplish the Granite Gate expansion, the Board of Supervisors must approve a major Planned Area Development amendment and a minor community plan amendment. The Granite Dells Community Plan was last updated in 1991 and states that future development was specifically to exclude "nursing homes." Instead it says the community would like to encourage resorts and other travel and tourism-related businesses.

"It perplexes us why people would be opposed to a use that is far less intrusive than a resort hotel would be," said Bill Feldmeier, the agent representing the project to the commission. Feldmeier is a former county supervisor and currently serves on the state transportation board, having been appointed by Governor Napolitano in 2006.

Feldmeier added that several conservation groups support the project and that the gain of both temporary construction jobs and permanent jobs at the facility, plus an increase in the county's tax base would all make approval of the project a positive move. Ten acres of open space are included in the proposal. And in response to objections that such an expansion would violate the Granite Dells Community Plan, Feldmeier said "It's a plan and it's only a plan. It's not the Bible....these are a guide and are not to be used like the Ten Commandments."

Opponents of the project included David Spence, chairman of the Granite Dells Association. The Dells is an "irreplacable asset" said Spence and "intensive uses" like this expanded facility would create an excessive amount of change to the area. We are "undeniably and overwhelmingly opposed," said Spence.

Concerns from other opponents, all of whom were nearby residents, included loss of views, diminished property values and the county's failure to live up to its own published plans. Impingement on wildlife corridors was also cited. Said resident David Cross, a 53-year veteran real estate appraiser, consultant, analyst and expert witness "people who bought in this area believed that the PAD ordinance would be followed. That's what we relied upon. To do anything else would be a travesty."

Richard Harder, also a resident, echoed Cross's argument citing "rights and assumptions made when we bought our property" and resident and real estate broker Kathleen Yamauchi added "this sets a scary precedent, to start changing PADs."

Agent Bill Feldmeier answered objections concerning possible impact on wildlife that "animals will adapt," and as for declining real estate values, the conservation easement included in the proposal would increase values, he believed. Elise Link, County Planning Manager, added that any property value loss can't be substantiated and that she and staff do not consider actions taken to be "precedent setting."

[Musings: Personally, I would like to see the statements by conservation organizations supporting the project, which I will obtain and comment on in a later post. I am also interested to see how the trails system will work into the site changes. And the question that always comes to my mind when highly treasured and sensitive areas like the Granite Dells are being considered for further development -- Does Yavapai County have a mission to preserve open space? If so, where? When? What specific locations that are considered county "treasures" are we committed to protect? It should be noted that the City of Prescott has actively sought to purchase property in the Dells as part of its open space program and in addition to a 37-acre purchase on the east side of Highway 89 approved another important 80-acre purchase on the west side of the highway abutting the land it already owns around Willow Lake in August of last year.]