Welcome to the temporary web site of the new Oregon destination resort currently known as ELKHORN PRESERVE GOLF RESORT, a project managed by Pacific Security Capital (PSC) on behalf of Pacific Santa Fe Corporation (PSF), its parent company.

ELKHORN PRESERVE is just over an hour southeast of Portland, along the Little North Santiam River, on North Fork Road.  The 464 acre property is located approximately 25 miles east of Salem at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains surrounded primarily by United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land as well as private timber interests and several private land owners.  It is nestled in The Elkhorn Valley (a part of the larger Santiam River Valley) adjacent to the Santiam State Forest.  The 35,000 acre Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area (in the north end of Willamette National Forest and adjacent to Mt. Hood National Forest) is located approximately 12 miles to the east.  This protected area represents the largest, uncut watersheds in western Oregon and is the best example of the forests that once blanketed all the Western Cascades.  It is home to some of the largest and oldest stands of trees remaining in the Pacific Northwest.

 

In 1984 Don Cutler received approvals to create an 18-hole golf course along with a residential development intended to create a true destination resort in Marion County.  He immediately created nine holes that would go on to become labeled by several publications as “among the top nine-hole golf course in the country” (Sports Illustrated, 1997) and included in the ranking of the “best nine-hole courses in the country” (Golf Magazine 1998 and 2000).   Don passed away in 1998 before his final vision could be completed; however his son and daughter did manage to complete the back nine-holes in 2000. 

The 1984 decision granted a limited use overlay zone change, plan amendment and several conditional use permits intended to create and ensure that a destination resort would be constructed.  To that end, 150 single-family homes and 46 condominiums were approved along with several accessory uses.  Further there is a requirement that at least 150 rental units be made available for overnight lodging. There is also a 2 acre parcel zoned commercial. 

It is PSC’s intention to develop the property in a manner that is harmonious and consistent with Don Cutler’s original vision and in compliance with the approvals he obtained.  Our design activities are intended to implement the earlier 1984 decision.  To that end we have been working with Marion County Planning Department to advance the design in a manner that ensures compliance this earlier decision.  It is our current plan to file our application for Final Development Review in June or July of 2007 with an eye toward groundbreaking in Spring of 2008. 

 

Throughout this web page you will notice several opportunities to obtain additional information.  We encourage you to explore this information and to use the forum to communicate with us your questions and concerns.  We intend to continue to hold open meetings with interested neighbors in order to communicate our intentions and to solicit feedback.   If you are not already on our mailing list and wish to be added for inclusion in these meetings simply send us an email with either your U.S. mail or web email address and the header “Inclusion for Notice of Public Meetings” and we will ensure that you receive notice of all of our public meetings.