Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood, an entertainment and event venue, is looking to expand into lodging and glamping, a portmanteau of “glamorous” and “camping.”
The ranch’s managers presented their proposed Dream West project to the city of Cottonwood’s Planning and Zoning Commission on March 27 and secured approval to move forward with the project.
Blazin’ M requested a general plan land use designation change from very low density residential to planned development and a zone change from agricultural residential to a planned area development on approximately 8.3 acres for its facility located at 1875 Mabery Ranch Road, which is approximately 1,600 feet north of the Dead Horse Ranch State Park entrance.
The ranch is currently an entertainment and event venue that hosts dinner shows and private events in a Western-themed frontier town.
The proposed expansion will consist of two phases. The first will include a glamping area, which will feature 15 park model units, 10 Conestoga-style guest wagons and one bar wagon, a swimming pool — Ye Olde Dipping Pool — a Western boulevard, a building facade covering the park units with a boardwalk, an entry gate and renewed decorations throughout. The second phase will add two hotel buildings with 40 guest units, along with a lobby, a breakfast area and some retail space.
The project’s applicants argued that the development will continue to support Cottonwood as a major tourist destination with a range of attractions, services and supporting facilities. They added that they are working with Arizona state parks to promote recreational opportunities at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, including through cooperative marketing programs with other area attractions and activities.
The commissioners discussed a range of concerns with the project. Commission Vice Chairman Randy Garrison expressed his concerns with lighting and keeping the expansion dark-sky compliant. The applicant confirmed that they will conform to city codes regarding lighting.
Other commissioners brought up the possibility that the added lodging will create traffic problems at the intersection of Main Street and 10th Street, which is already a congested area. They were also concerned that there is only one way in and out of the ranch, but the applicants stated that they had met with the Cottonwood Fire Department’s fire marshal and the roadways will be compliant with fire department requirements.
One resident spoke about his concerns over existing sound pollution being exacerbated, as he lives nearby and can already hear events at the ranch.
Commissioner George Gehlert wanted to know whether or not Dead Horse Ranch State Park was actively involved in the planning or not. He also addressed the proliferation of signage and potential limits on the number of signs the ranch will be allowed to erect each year for its events.
Commissioner Robert Nelson talked about a similar project in his hometown and how it put the town on the map by attracting tourists. He stated that the overflow parking issue needed to be addressed.
Garrison said he appreciated the applicants’ efforts to make the facility more usable and family-friendly. He noted that the town often gets criticized for having only bars and wine tasting rooms. International visitors come to Arizona and expect to see cowboys and tumbleweeds, he argued, which this project will provide.
Chairwoman Lindsay Masten expressed excitement about the project as well as her concerns with the ranch’s septic system and how it lies in a floodplain adjacent to the river. She suggested adding a stipulation that the applicant must test the groundwater and soil health in the area of the tanks on a semi-regular basis to be able to assure the public that the groundwater is always safe.
Ryan Glass, one of the owners of the ranch, spoke of his desire to put Cottonwood on the map and to create an attraction with lodging available for visitors. He stated that the lodging would be an addition to what has already been happening at the ranch for almost 30 years. He also spoke of their desire to keep the lighting minimal, with lit pathways for safety while still keeping the ranch a nature-based outdoor attraction.
The general plan amendment and zone change with added stipulations were both approved unanimously and will now go to Cottonwood City Council for further discussion.
