Proposed Kenwood luxury resort anticipated by some

Charlyn Belluzzo lives next to the site of a proposed luxury hotel and resort in Kenwood, but she isn’t saying “not in my backyard.”

Instead of fighting it, like some Kenwood residents, Belluzzo believes the 50-room hotel, spa, restaurant and small winery on a plateau overlooking the valley will be good for the area.

“I’m quite familiar with the resort group and their representatives. I feel they are doing everything possible to make the project an asset to Kenwood and the surrounding communities,” she said.

Belluzzo, clinical director for a medical technology company and a global health expert, bought 43 acres of the former Graywood Ranch about three years ago.

A pilot, she acquired the private air strip on her property that has been there since 1953. She now produces olive oil from 600 trees she planted, along with seasonal lavender. There are also 10 horses in the Belluzzo stables, Belos Cavalos, which offers an equestrian experience for children who have experienced trauma.

Her land is next to the 186 acres purchased in late 2014 for $41 million by Tohigh Property Investment, the subsidiary of Chinese developer Oceanwide Holdings that is planning to build the Resort at Sonoma Country Inn. It includes a 125-seat restaurant, 10,000-case winery and permission for 20 events annually.

To opponents, the resort epitomizes the influx of new wineries, tasting rooms and events that are changing the face of the picturesque valley.

But Belluzzo said the new design is more hidden to viewers from below and has a number of attractive features, with terraced planting on top of the buildings. She likes the infinity pool and spread-out luxury cottages.

She said it could have been worse if the land were planned for residential development.

“I feel they will protect it and keep it natural,” she said. ”It will bring an aesthetic to the area we would want.”

Belluzzo appreciates the 24-hour security the developers have, which has helped cut down on trash dumping and other unwelcome activities into the entrance of their shared properties, such as an abandoned stolen car left there.

The resort project, approved by the Board of Supervisors more than a decade ago under a former owner, languished along with the economic downturn. In October, the company obtained design review approval for the project. Officials said they are confident they can break ground later this year despite an appeal by the Valley of the Moon Alliance, which argues that recent changes to the project require further environmental study.

Belluzzo said change is inevitable and the resort will bring business to surrounding restaurants and shops.

Increased traffic on Highway 12 “is happening with or without the resort,” she said.

Clark Mason