Proposed Resort Raises Concerns

Tuolumne County Supervisors are considering whether to approve a $10 million resort near Yosemite National Park.

Board Chairman Mark Thornton is against the proposed Yosemite Rush Creek Resort, mainly because he says it will put a major strain emergency services. He says the nearest ambulance station is about 25 minutes from the proposed site of the resort. He says that if there was an emergency call at the resort, the ambulance could arguably “be two hours or more out of the circuit.”

Supervisor Jim Peterson and others would like to see an economic study of the proposal, because he and others worry about the impacts on other businesses in the area. But Supervisor Dick Pland says that should be left to the free market. “It is not this board´s job to decide who survives in a competitive marketplace in this country,” Pland said.

If approved, the hotel and resort would include 143 lodging units, a large conference hall and a restaurant and bar. Supervisors will talk more about the issue in June.