Sept. 22, 2011 - Donner Summit soldiered through a mountain of snow this past spring; power lines fell under the weight of the snow, and the community was under an extensive voluntary evacuation because of the risk of propane explosions; one cabin was destroyed.
The snow finally melted for the community, but Royal Gorge Cross Country, and the affiliated proposed development were unable to dig out from under the mountain of debt racked up over the past few years related to Royal Gorge efforts to build a mega-development in an area known for rugged and unforgiving climate, lack of water and adequate sewage disposal, a single egress road, and the opposition of community activists and ardent environmentalists.
Royal Gorge defaulted on loans in July 2011, and was handed into receivership in August 2011. The period to cure default has run. Douglas Wilson Companies now holds the reins of Royal Gorge and its extensive landholdings on the Summit.
Douglas Wilson Companies provides this background on their webpage, "the Company is the largest business services entity of its kind, providing workout and problem resolution, crisis/force majeure response, asset management, consulting, business planning, receivership, development, entitlement, and construction management services."
Douglas Wilson Company provides this cryptic description of Royal Gorge, "Located in Tahoe, the 34 acres of land is entitled for condominiums and currently contains a 33-room bed and breakfast as well as a small cafe."
It's certainly news to Donner Summit residents that Royal Gorge is "entitled" for condominiums, as that was one of the many issues residents rallied against. Perhaps the Douglas Wilson Company is still the 'new kid on the mountain', and hasn't yet come up to speed on the many issues facing any development on Donner Summit.
Donner Summit residents should be wary, though, of Douglas Wilson Company. One of their signature projects was the rescue of Ocean Trails Golf Course, in Rancho Palos Verdes. Southern Californian golfers may remember when the 18th hole fell into the ocean, bringing new meaning to 'sand trap'.
Douglas Wilson Company spearheaded the rehabilitation of the course, which then was sold to Donald Trump. Mr. Trump has not endeared himself to Rancho Palos Verdes residents, as the saga of the city council hearings regarding his oversized flags, and view blocking ficus trees plays on.
Donner Summit, and Royal Gorge lands may be more at risk of unreasonable development now than during the tenure of Foster and Syme. Uneasy about being "out of the frying pan, into the fire?" Let local land trusts know now you're willing to donate, and work with them to protect the area from development.
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