WILL ROYAL GORGE GET "MARTIS-IZED"?

It's spring, which heralds an upswing in high production value brochures arriving in the mail touting various real estate opportunities- legacy building "camps", "enclaves", and "retreats," all brimming with golf courses, exclusive club houses, and laden with amenities (fine print states no guarantee they will be built, subject to change without notice). This week's mail brought a handsome Martis Camp brochure, which besides the Northstar connection, and the required golf course, will also supposedly have a "lost library," a "folk school," and, my favorite, "purposeful amenities."  I wonder what the distinction is between a "purposeful" and a "purposeless" amenity?

Who makes these things up? Actually, I know a piece of the answer to that.  Martis Camp uses, among other consultants, IMI (http://www.imiliving.com/aboutimi/)   Here's a quote from their introductory page telling us what they do: "Since 1990, IMI has been a leader in the luxury real estate industry. Working closely with premier real estate developers and strategic alliances, we have helped to create some of the most recognized real estate communities in North America... through our sales and marketing programs, we've been able to see real estate trends unfolding and introduce thousands of clients to those outstanding ownership opportunities typically in the very early stages of development."

One wonders how early of a stage of development is too early. Here, Royal Gorge LLC hasn't yet filed plans with Placer County, hasn't identified solid solutions to providing water and handling sewage for their proposed development, and, if their letters to SLCWD regarding the resolution limiting lake draw down to no more than 3 feet below dam height are indicative, are probably seriously considering suing SLCWD in order to preserve their ability to drain our lakes as much as they need-- despite the fact the 4 foot draw-down they proposed last spring would separate our two lakes, make them useless for recreation, and very likely endanger water quality. 

Earliness aside, what would lead Royal Gorge LLC to even contemplate seeking the services of IMI, or perhaps a similar firm?*  Short answer-- Sugar Bowl's pulling out of their agreement for a connecting lift, and supporting those other lifts has necessitated a big rethink on the part of Royal Gorge LLC.  Despite Royal Gorge LLC's brave words about emphasizing cross country ski in-ski out for their entire development, the demographics to support such a large exclusively cross country development probably just aren't there-- while there is of course cross over between downhill skiers and cross country skiers, cross country isn't going to drive the luxury market to the same extent downhill does. And if the luxury market angle folds, so does the opportunity to make a whole lot of money.  So, some serious market repositioning is in order-- perhaps beyond cosy tete-a-tetes arranged by MAPF for quality time for developers and selected "stakeholders", and leisurely "rambles" in the woods after finding out "fascinating" facts about sewage disposal while noshing on pastries.... (I couldn't make this stuff up)

There are similarities between Martis Camp and Royal Gorge LLC's proposed development-- first, and most obviously, the "camp" motif-- one wonders if, and when, Royal Gorge's "camps" are ever built, whether there will be one of those battles over who's the "real" camp-- somewhat akin to the tussle over "Surf City" between the big bully, Huntington Beach, and the real kahuna, Santa Cruz.   Second, there's that whole nauseating sales pitch of "life well lived", "bonding with loved ones"-- true and lasting bonding apparently needing club houses and sprawling trophy estates, as opposed to dinners at the kitchen table.  Martis Camp has a new twist on the jargon though-- they speak glowingly of their development being designed for those who "seek greater margins in life."  That one's funny-- I think the margins they're really thinking about are the margins of return.  

Basically, these developments aimed at the very well heeled suffer from an elite, smug, cookie cutter sameness-- but, up 'til now, Royal Gorge LLC at least had the singular distinction of having forgone the seemingly requisite golf course. A golf course at Donner Summit would be a boondoggle, as our weather isn't exactly conducive to growing large swaths of grass. However, now the downhill ski connection is gone, the amenity larder Royal Gorge LLC will need to stock to entice would-be buyers to park their money at the Summit instead of down in Truckee/Martis Valley/Lake Tahoe will need replenished.  That, unfortunately, could mean a golf course, and where else than the very same Van Norden Meadow they told us last year they'd save? Plus, ta da! a solution for what to do with all the treated effluent in the summer- water the links.  There is the small problem presented by the fact the meadow is a large component of the headwaters of the South Yuba River, and that effluent would be reaching the South Yuba River, sooner or later, no doubt laced with fertilizer, but who's to argue with an amenity?

I do hope the Summit isn't about to get "Martisized", golf courses and all.

* There are no indications that IMI represents Royal Gorge LLC in any manner