Spring Creek does not need a private or public ski resort. We do not need to become a Jackson Hole or Park City.

March 19, 2026, the same landowner, that was denied a zoning change in 2024, applied for a conditional use permit to build a private ski resort with five ski lifts for friends and family. Despite heavy opposition at the public meeting, the Elko County Planning and Zoning Commission approved this application with conditions that are in violation of established county codes.

Eight appeals of this decision have been filed with Elko County. The arguments will be heard by the Elko County Commissioners in the near future. We will update this when the agenda and date has been set.

The appeal hearing has been set for Monday, May 11, 2026 at 10:30am, at the Elko County Commissioners Chambers. Please attend as share your thoughts if you're available to do so.

Some issues with this approval - leading to the appeals:

1. The Open Space district is intended to preserve rural lands and limit development intensity. Seasonal recreational use within the district is described as non-commercial activities that do not require fixed improvement.
   1. The approved project includes: Up to five mechanical chair lifts, Associated towers, foundations, terminals, and mechanical systems, Short-term lodging accommodations.
   2. This infrastructure would require a form of fixed or “permanent" improvement, which is not consistent with a framework that does not allow for recreational uses that would require fixed improvements.
2. The project includes short-term lodging offered by reservation to the public, including platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO. This constitutes a commercial use that is designed to generate revenue.
   1. The Open Space district emphasizes non-commercial recreational activities. The combination of lodging and lift-served recreation reflects a destination-style commercial operation rather than incidental or low-intensity use.

Additional concerns:

1. Water usage. With continued droughts and multiple years in between heavy snow falls, our water resource continues to decrease. Wells around the valley are drying up, and residential water restrictions lead to concern for what our ground water availability really looks like.
2. Developers claim they will not be making snow, but a ski resort without snow is not profitable. Private or not.
3. Concerns that this development will not stop here and will lead to residents being priced out with higher taxes, and utility rates.
   1. This same landowner has been approved for a zoning change for a parcel that backs up to the Spring Creek Association fence line in Palace Heights. His intention is to subdivide and build high end homes.
4. Disregard for the opposition at the public meeting, leading many to believe that the voice of the majority is no longer a higher consideration over personal interest. Those that showed up or submitted a statement were still 45 against to 19 for.
   1. Numbers from the meeting that led to the zoning change denial in 2024; in person statements; 35 against to 17 for. An additional 1300 signatures in opposition with an online petition were collected as well.

Beyond preserving the mountain views and the habitat for the wildlife that call it home, those in opposition to this development have nothing to gain. We simply wish to keep Spring Creek the residential community it is, the Rubies as untouched as possible, and the critical resources from frivolous use.

Property details:

This parcel extends to 9,455 feet in elevation, virtually to the top of the face of the Rubies. Open Space District (OS) to an Agricultural-Recreational District (A), for the 2296.22-acre parcel owned by Ruby Mountain Ranch Holdings, LLC, adjacent to the Spring Creek Campground.

Open Space Designation: The open space exclusive district is intended to provide protection for agricultural areas from urban development of residential subdivisions, and to serve as an open space area around the more intensive urban uses of the county of Elko. Noncommercial seasonal recreation activities not requiring fixed improvements including hunting, fishing, camping, horseback riding, ball games, archery, picnicking, snowmobiling, skiing and similar uses allowed. (Ord. 1975-A, 3-5-1975, eff. 4-1-1975). https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/elkocountynv...

All signatures are in opposition of this development and conditional use approval.