In the face of mounting opposition, the Beaver County Commission approved a development agreement for the proposed $3.5 billion Mount Holly Club.

The exclusive resort plans to plop hundreds of multimillion-dollar homes and town houses, along with an 18-hole golf course, on thousands of acres at the now-closed Elk Meadows ski resort and popular Puffer Lake, about 20 miles east of Beaver.

The county's Planning and Zoning Commission, which recommended approval of the agreement, had considered requiring the developers to provide some skiing access at Mount Holly to current Elk Meadows residents.

But commissioners ended up abandoning that tack and leaving the decision to the developers, who appear eager to market the 36 ski runs as an exclusive playground for their wealthy residents.

County resident Margaret Wellman, who has been fighting the project, said she was disappointed but not surprised by Monday's vote.

"I expected a rubber stamp," she said.

Wellman and her allies already have started contacting hundreds of residents, urging them to attend a public hearing Wednesday, when plat approvals for the project will be addressed.

"This is our last chance to speak out," she said. "From here, we'll take it to court."

Like Wellman, many Beaver County residents fear losing access to ski runs and other recreation areas if Mount Holly is built. They also worry that the project would drain water resources and ruin the area's rural atmosphere.

Others back the massive development and point to the revenue it would bring to private businesses and public coffers.

Craig Burton president of CPB, which is developing the project on private land, told commissioners Monday that earlier discussions about possibly accommodating Elk Meadows homeowners and providing access to ski runs started as a good-neighbor gesture last fall.

But, he said, the issue became too complicated and threatened to undermine one of the resort's major selling points: its exclusivity.

Burton said lenders and investors got jittery when they saw news accounts of the developer and county officials working on a plan to possibly let nonmembers ski on the swanky slopes.

"It's yes or no," said Burton of the club's exclusivity. "There's no middle road."

Burton said the developers are ready to go to court if necessary to protect their right to decide who skis at the club, which sits on private land surrounded by Fishlake National Forest.

"We need to put our private property rights to work," Burton said.

After Monday's meeting, Commissioner Chad Johnson said the panel's authority is limited to ensuring the proposed development follows ordinances for planned-unit developments, and not to deciding who should be allowed on Mount Holly's property.

Johnson noted the proposed Mount Holly Club has generated more documents, taken more time and stirred up more residents than Circle Four Farms, the huge pig farming operation that began production nearly 20 years ago after much controversy.

"[Circle Four] wasn't as comprehensively looked at as this project," Johnson said. "Circle Four didn't even have a development agreement."

mhavnes@sltrib.com

Beaver County will conduct a public hearing and consider plat approvals Wednesday for Mount Holly Club's proposed first phase, consisting of 45 lots on 75 acres.