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County and glamping developer negotiate trail mitigation and easement access near US‑101
Summary
Staff reported tentative agreements with an Under Canvas glamping developer to build a limited separated trail segment and contribute funds toward a nearby pinch‑point improvement, while flagging outstanding easement, Forest Service and park‑service approvals.
County staff updated the committee on negotiations with an Under Canvas glamping project that intersects the Olympic Discovery Trail route on Forest Service 2918 Road and adjacent easements.
Steve Gray described a tentative deal in which the developer would construct an initial ~1,550‑foot separated trail segment up to a topographic transition and contribute $50,000 toward improvements at a nearby pinch point on the route. "They'd contribute $50,000 to improving" the pinch point, Gray told the committee, explaining the funds would be used for stabilization and minor widening where possible.
Why it matters: the proposed glamping site sits along a stretch where the county’s 100‑foot easement narrows and where topography and ownership limit options for a fully separated trail. County staff noted that much of the route beyond the developed segment sits on Forest Service or private easements and that the county’s easement with M and R expires in 2029, meaning future access and any separate trail would require renegotiation or additional property acquisition.
Committee members debated alternatives. Andy observed the mitigation package "is not complete mitigation" and argued the plan would reduce some safety and functionality of the ODT unless offsets or alternative routings are pursued. Gordon Taylor and others suggested rerouting the same trail length west to the river as an interim measure until a more costly bridge could be funded. Gray said the county will continue negotiating with both the developer and affected landowners and federal agencies; he described the present arrangement as "tentative" and subject to further review by Forest Service and National Park Service staff.
Gray said conditions on the developer’s conditional‑use permit require coordination with public works, the park service and the Forest Service and noted developer obligations could include road widening, shared roadway signage and long‑term mitigation commitments. The committee did not take a formal vote on the proposal; staff said they will continue discussions with the developer and federal partners and return with updates.
