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A developer who plans to build a $100 million international equestrian sports center and resort in northwest Polk County cleared a federal land use hurdle last week. However, at least one more hurdle remains for the project, which calls for construction of a five-star luxury resort, a distillery and winery, multiple arenas and championship-level facilities.

J.W. Millegan is the developer of the Wallace Bridge Equestrian Venue & Resort, which would occupy at least 325 acres near Sheridan east of Route 18 and north of Route 22. He previously sought a boundary modification from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; however, the request was denied.

An appellate hearings officer overturned that decision last week, finding that a modification to an existing easement would actually promote species survival and recovery more than the current easement.

The NRCS has until Dec. 13 to appeal the decision.

If that deadline were to pass, Millegan would still need Polk County to grant an exception to state land use laws that require destination resorts to be 25 miles or farther from a city’s urban growth boundary. Wallace Bridge would be 22.5 miles from Salem’s UGB.

Many county leaders support the proposed resort development, according to Polk County commissioner Mike Ainsworth. The project could help revitalize an economically challenged region with construction spending, jobs and tourism, he said.

鈥淲e don’t know what type of chance it has, but the guy has a lot of energy,鈥� Ainsworth said. 鈥淚 say 鈥榤ore power to him’ if he can move forward.鈥�

Once the appeals deadline passes, Millegan expects the county land use process to last approximately a year and a half, and construction to require two to three years.