The Spokesman-Review
Section B, Handle, Page B1 & B8
Developer teeing up plans for golf resort
Stanger wants another 155 lots, 100 condos at
By Erica Curless
Staff writer
COEUR D'ALENE- Stoneridge Golf Club
was nothing but a big mess when developer Dan Stanger arrived in Blanchard.
Its greens were dry and hard. The homeowners were angry. And the land was
cheap- the perfect fit for the
"We look for deals that have problems," said Stanger, the chief
executive officer of Bridge Partners.
And that's exactly what Stoneridge had to offer. Stanger said the resort had
struggles with management, marketing, the facility and money. So he bought the
semiprivate, 19-hole course just off Highway 41 in April and immediately shut
it down to start a $2.5 million makeover.
Soon Stanger will present to
Stanger envisions the project, known as Stoneridge Golf and Recreational
Community, as a mix of affordable year-round residents and seasonal getaways.
Lots would range from $35,000 to $89,000.
"Value makes a real statement," Stanger said. "Not only will
it appeal to the local community, but also for those people looking to get
away."
Besides solitude and beauty, Stoneridge is only 50 miles from the
Stoneridge currently includes about 100 lots that have about 35 homes
already built. There are also 12 condos, which are part of a separate
time-share program.
Stanger wants to start selling the existing lots.
Once his plans are approved by
Besides a revamped golf course that reopens in May, Stanger said the project
will include shops, and RV park, walking trails, equestrian park and a future
school site and possible senior care center.
Continued: Stoneridge/B8
Stoneridge: Won't conflict with
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Continued from B1
Final plans won't be released until next summer, although Stanger wants to
start presenting ideas to the Bonner County Planning and Zoning Board in the
next few weeks.
This isn't the only new development proposed for the area.
California developer John Sempre is hashing out plans for a
multimillion-dollar golf course, marina and housing development on Spirit Lake,
about 10 miles south of Stoneridge.
Neither Stanger nor Sempre sees much conflict because the developers plan to
market to different types of buyers.
"It will be tough for anyone with a new development to compete with us
price-wise," Stanger said.
Sempre agreed, saying his proposed resort will offer more expensive lots.
But he thinks it's good to have two quality golf courses in the area.
"Golfers don't want to stay on one golf course," Sempre said. "The more courses of high quality, the better."
When golfers tee off this spring, Stoneridge will offer an entirely revamped
course.
Crews constructed three new holes, put in a state-of-the-art irrigation
system, rebuilt all the bunkers and planted grass.
"Before it had some of the nastiest green I've ever seen," Stanger
said. "Now it's more enjoyable to play."
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Page 1 & 12A
Stoneridge's 500-site development to
planners
By Michael Denuty Of The Miner
BLANCHARD - A
The company proposes a development that will include 500 single-family home
sites and about 100 condominium units, plus additions to the infrastructure and
See STONERIDGE Page 12A
STONERIDGE:
Continued from page 1
recreational facilities.
Dan Stanger, CEO of Bridge Partners Inc., said plans are to turn the
facility into a family-oriented resort. He told reporters that the project will
include a new clubhouse at the golf course, a walking trail system and an
equestrian center.
There also will be about nine acres set aside on the east side of the
property for future commercial uses, another nine acres for a recreational vehicle
park and about five acres for a future elementary school.
Bridge Partners purchased the 650-acre property last April. The golf course
itself began a one-year closure in May for a major overhaul worth $3 million.
Stanger said the golf course project worked out better than expected. There are
three reconstructed holes and the layout of the course was revised. The course
should reopen next spring.
The clubhouse, which would be 5,000 to 6000 square feet in size, could be
built in 2003. The estimated cost in $750,000 to $1 million.
Infrastructure improvements are estimated at $5.5 million and would include
new and improved roadways, sewer system upgrades, a better water level control
for Lake San Souci, the man-made lake at the entrance to the property.
The development project could take eight to 10 years to complete.
Stoneridge is located about a half-mile west of Blanchard and Idaho Highway
41 along the
` Contacted a couple of weeks ago, Bonner County Planning Director Marty
Taylor said no formal application has been submitted and he doesn't know much
about what is proposed. However, he understands they will be seeking to change
the zoning district from rural to recreation. They also would seek a
conditional use permit for a commercial resort.
The first step would be a "pre-application review."
_________________________________________________________________________
The
Group formed at Stoneridge
Master association oversees developments
Blanchard - With the golf course rebuilding project virtually completed and
several streets paved last summer, Stoneridge officials are putting the
finishing touches on an expansion proposal which will be going to the Bonner
County Planning Department soon, said Danuel Stanger, CEO of Bridge Partners
Incorporated which purchased Stoneridge last spring. They want to turn
Stoneridge into a family-oriented resort.
The new owners of the Stoneridge golf course and development have
established a new master homeowners association that will oversee the operation
of two smaller associations, San Suchi [sic] I and II .
As of early December the new entity had been approved by a majority of the
members of those developments.
Stanger said it was discovered that the existing associations were not set
up to legally function on their own. The new
organization takes over various legal responsibilities, but allows the two
older associations to exist and deal with various local issues.
The other entity at the Stoneridge complex-
The Stoneridge Recreational Club Condominium Owners Association Inc- remains a separate organization, said
spokesperson Cindy Thomas. Commonly known as Stoneridge Resort, this entity
represents the condo owners, operates a number of recreational facilities and
trails and has a snowcat to take skiers up
"It will be business as usual for us," Thomas said.
However, Stanger said they intend to work more closely with the various
owners. He said that before the vote, the new owners held meetings with the 93
existing association members and the golfers and answered a lot of questions.
Several disputes have been resolved. A big one involved who gets to use the
golf course.
` As a semi-private facility, the improved golf course will be available to
the Stoneridge property owners and there will be some local availability, as
well.
Stanger feels the homeowners groups and the developers will have a better
relationship than in the past, because the developers recognize that there are
costs that must be absorbed by the development and master association. He said
the previous owner tried to pass on the costs of all improvements to the people
who have purchased lots.
Last summer, the new owners paved some of the residential streets on the
west side of the development.
Bridge Partners is finalizing plans to expand the Stoneridge development
with 500 additional home lots, 100 condominium units, an RV park and commercial
sites. Infrastructure improvements also are being planned.
He said they want to make the resort much more than a golf course with
residences. They want to turn it into a family resort with such amenities as
parks and a walking trail system and an equestrian center. There will be a site
for a future elementary school that could hold ball field or two in the
meantime.
We see ourselves as a beginning a very flexible community with more than 700
families," Stanger said. They see Blanchard as becoming more of a
retirement community and a bedroom community, as well as providing second
homes.
He also points out that this is not all going to happen at once. It has been
estimated that the project will last eight to 10 years.
Stanger said they are still working on the final proposal that will be
presented to
Stanger said his company is made up of 350 investors from around the
country. It is in their best interest to build the development and sell the
properties. On the other hand, they know that this will take may
years and they plan to stay here.
Since the announcement of the new project, there has been considerable
interest in previously unsold lots, as well as in the new lots.
Two local real estate people, salesman Larry Cunningham and broker Gary
Clark are working together as Stoneridge Realty. A new sales office opened on
Nov. 29.
One of the things they have had to offer will continue- reasonably priced lots near a golf course.
Development of 125 lots, 30 condo buildings and related infrastructure
improvements are proposed for the phase which should start in 2002.
The improved golf course is scheduled to reopen in the spring. The work
costs less than $3 million and came out better than anticipated, and for this
reason a new clubhouse is considered for the near future.
There are new T-boxes and the pop-up greens have been replaced with a more
conventional dish design.
The course has been expanded to 6,700 feet and can be set up for
championship play or as somewhat of a challenging play or as somewhat of a
challenging course for local golfers. They believe it will now be the second
best course in area, behind the
Infrastructure improvements are estimated at $5.5 million and would include
new and improved roadways, sewer system upgrades, a better water level control
for Lake San Souci, the man-made lake at the entrance to the property.