The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Some neighbors are up in arms over plans to turn Aspen Lakes into a destination resort, while others defend the Cyrus family and their work.

A destination resort is a self-contained entity that offers overnight lodging and amenities to draw visitors.

Last week's Deschutes County Commissioners' hearing on whether to include subdivisions like Aspen Lakes on the county's revision of its destination resort map drew out opponents who argue that a developed subdivision should not be allowed to convert itself into a destination resort.

Foes of the Cyrus family's efforts are convinced that Keith Cyrus' position as chairman of the county planning commission puts him in a position to influence decisions that could result in considerable financial gain, even if he has recused himself from any votes that would affect his family's interests.

Planning commissioners last week denied that Cyrus has any such influence, but some opponents still think he should resign or not have his position renewed after his term expires on June 30.

Several residents whose homes look out on the undeveloped border of the Aspen Lakes subdivision have expressed alarm - and in some cases outrage - at the recent clearing activity on the Cyrus property.

"As I write this, the Cyrus family is working furiously with chain saws and back hoes...the only living things left in their wake are large trees," wrote Dennis McGregor, who lives in the adjacent Panoramic neighborhood (see Letters to the

Editor, page 2).

McGregor and others are convinced that the clearing is part of the family's destination-resort plans.

In a letter to the county commissioners, Pamela Burry wrote: "Over time it has become evident to so many of us that this clearing is in advance of the Cyrus Family belief that it is only a matter of time until they can move forward with their plans for massive development."

The Cyruses say that that's not what the work is about at all.

Matt Cyrus explained that the clearing is being done in an area designated by the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Deschutes County Forester as a high-burn-risk area.

"Every time we have a lightning storm, I drive out there to make sure we don't have anything smoking," Keith Cyrus told The Nugget.

The land is being cleared under a state grant designated to protect existing homes from wildfire.

"It's needed to be done and there's grant money to do it," Matt Cyrus said. "They (residents of Panoramic) are the single biggest beneficiary."

Cyrus acknowledged that the clearing would also benefit any future destination resort.

"Well, certainly, if we ever get approval it would still be worth it," he said.

The Cyruses also note that Aspen Lakes can be further developed with no other approvals than what exist now.

"Section 35 can and will be developed, under current zoning or under resort zoning unless some conservation group buys it and rededicates it as open space," said Pam Cyrus Mitchell.

Matt Cyrus noted, "There are 10 lots designated for that area now and they can be built out with the existing zoning. The currently approved plan will also allow for the addition of nine more holes of golf."

Both Matt and Keith maintain that the master plan for the development of the Aspen Lakes complex always included a resort.

"The business plan we developed does not make sense without an overnight lodging facility to support the golf course, which is designed and planned at a quality level to draw in major national golf tournaments. National tournaments require a specific number of on-site (sleeping units)," Keith said.

Opponents point out that, in addition to overnight lodging, the conversion to a destination resort would allow the building of as many as 300 more residential units. That could be a substantial windfall for the Cyrus family and is the source of much of the concern about Keith Cyrus' influence on his fellow commissioners.

"What has happened to our process as a democracy when he who desires an unpopular decision on his behalf, that will hugely enhance his personal wealth, sits on the panel that will influence that decision?" Burry wrote in her letter to commissioners.

The Cyruses argue that it would be difficult to find people to serve on the planning commission who don't have some potential conflict of interest, and they argue that past commissioners have had affiliations with environmental organizations that may have influenced their views on issues before the commission.

The Cyruses acknowledged, however, that those commissioners did not have the potential for substantial financial gain riding on the outcome of a decision.

Nevertheless, Keith Cyrus and his family maintain that he brings valuable expertise and a point of view from agriculture, mining and development interests to the commission and he says he will "absolutely" seek extension of his term beyond June 30.

Pam Mitchell said that the family's development efforts have always been with the best use of the land in mind. She said that the original platting of the property would have allowed homes and fencing in full view of Camp Polk Road.

"We have made many decisions in developing Aspen Lakes that cost us many current and future dollars that were the 'right thing to do' for the aesthetics and natural feel of the Aspen Lakes property and the properties surrounding Aspen Lakes," she said. "I don't think anyone could criticize what we've done if they knew what was originally platted for that property... We don't want to ruin the land. This is our home."

The next hearing on the planning commission's resort designation proposals will be at the April 19 commissioner's meeting at 10 a.m. in the Barnes & Sawyer Rooms of Deschutes Services building, 1300 N.W. Wall St., Bend. Written and oral public input is still being accepted and testimony will be allowed at the meeting.