The Beaver County Planning Commission has voted to recommend approval of a development agreement for the proposed Mount Holly Club, which plans to plop hundreds of multimillion-dollar homes, along with an 18-hole golf course, on thousands of acres at a now-defunct ski resort in southwestern Utah.

On Monday, the County Commission will hold a public hearing and consider whether to approve the development deal.

Many residents oppose the plan, fearing the $3.5 billion development at the former Elk Meadows ski area would drain resources, ruin the rural atmosphere and deprive them of access to ski runs and other recreational retreats.

Others back the proposal by Salt Lake City-based CPB, LLC and point to the revenue the ritzy resort 18 miles east of Beaver would bring to private businesses and public coffers.

The Planning Commission's unanimous recommendation came late Wednesday night after the panel tweaked a number of terms in the proposed development accord.

For instance, the deal now calls for those with 30 percent ownership in Elk Meadows property to have continued access to the ski resort. Developers had wanted to limit access to those with at least a 50 percent stake.

County Commissioner Chad Johnson, who attended this week's Planning Commission meeting, is reserving comment on the proposed agreement until after Monday's hearing.

If commissioners endorse the deal, developers still would need to secure preliminary and final plat approvals before construction could begin.

mhavnes@sltrib.com