Opponents of an $80 million destination resort southeast of Ashland told Jackson County commissioners Wednesday that the proposal doesn't bear any relation to earlier plans and should be rejected.

"Nearly every component of this plan has changed," said Connie Foland, a neighbor opposed to the project on 255 acres owned by Dom and Joyce Provost between Interstate 5 and Highway 66.

The biggest change has been to scale the golf course back from 18 holes to nine.

In the new proposal, well water also would be used, which neighbors view as a threat to their own water supplies.

The Provosts say the project will use 82,420 gallons of water a day on average for personal use from both Neil Creek and wells. Annual water use for the fairways and other irrigated acres will amount to 270 acre-feet annually, or 88 million gallons from the creek. Reclaimed water also will be used for irrigation.

Commissioners heard testimony from both opponents and supporters during an almost-four-hour hearing.

Greg Hathaway, a Portland attorney represent

ing the Provosts, said the changes, which he called "refinements," came about because the Oregon Department of Transportation needed 16 acres of the Provosts' property for a welcome center off Interstate 5. Also, extensive wetlands on the property used up additional land.

The Provosts obtained permits from the state to use well water for the resort, which Hathaway said also contributed to changes in the proposal.

However, he said the changes are still in keeping with the original proposal and said the county had wide discretion in its ability to consider them, pointing out a 20-year history of trying to get the project approved.

"It has not been an easy path because there has been opposition from the beginning," he said.

Foland cited state statutes and the county's own ordinance to support her assertion that the county should no longer consider this project because it has been too long since the state Land Use Board of Appeals sent it back to the county.

"We're looking at 11 years since the remand," she said, referring to a LUBA decision that found eight problems with the Provosts' proposal. "I think we're looking at a remand that has expired."

Near the end of the public hearing, Commissioner Dave Gilmour said, "I would like to get some more information about the issue of timing."

Don Wudtke, a Napa, Calif., architect and planner for the Provosts, said many of the changes in the proposal are actually beneficial. He said the number of creek crossings has been reduced from 12 to three.

The number of riparian areas has been better identified and will be better protected under the new proposal, he said.

Wudtke said even though the project has been scaled back to nine holes, it will still be a strong economic draw. He cited more than 30 resorts aro0und the world that have nine-hole courses.

But, he also said, "If we had more space we would stick with 18 holes."

Another opponent and neighboring property owner, Chris Skrepetos, said there is a good reason why the Provost proposal has failed so many times with LUBA.

"County government in the past has failed to adhere to its own standards," he said. "They have done a disservice to the public but also to Mr. Provost."

Commissioners will listen to rebuttal testimony by the Provosts' representatives at 1 p.m. June 21 at the Jackson County Courthouse auditorium, 10 S. Oakdale Ave. They are expected to make a decision at 1 p.m. Aug. 9 at the same location.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or dmann@mailtribune.com.