SV COMMUNITY ALERT: JH Ranch Expansion Raises Questions About Future of French Creek

Siskiyou County Planning Commission Regular Meeting February 19, 2025 – 9:00 a.m.
Siskiyou County Meeting Chambers, 311 Fourth Street, 2nd Floor, Yreka, California

The Siskiyou County Planning Commission’s upcoming review of JH Ranch’s zone change application on February 19, 2025, represents more than a simple administrative adjustment. The application, ostensibly aimed at bringing the facility into compliance, illustrates a concerning pattern of incremental expansion that has transformed a modest local Christian camp into what some describe as a corporate-style operation.

The evolution is striking. From its humble beginnings as a 14-space trailer park in 1970, through a 136-person permit in 1973, to today’s assertion of a 505-person occupancy, JH Ranch has consistently pushed the boundaries of its original scope. Rather than enforcing existing limits, the pattern has been to adjust zoning to accommodate the Ranch’s expanding operations after the fact.

This latest application introduces particularly concerning elements. While claiming to merely document existing conditions, it includes provisions for year-round operations, allowing up to 100 people for off-season gatherings. The inclusion of Rockside Ranch and Bethel Church as designated off-season users signals a significant shift from local community service to broader institutional use.

The safety implications are serious. The application attempts to avoid CalFire’s 4290 regulations by asserting no expansion of use, despite proposing year-round operations. The evacuation routes—steep, gravel roads connecting to the narrow, winding gravel Roads—remain inadequate for safely evacuating hundreds of visitors unfamiliar with mountain driving during an emergency.

“What we’re seeing is not just about numbers on paper,” notes “Friends of French Creek”. “It’s about the fundamental character of French Creek Valley. These narrow roads that challenge even locals become critically dangerous when filled with inexperienced drivers during an emergency evacuation. The next wildfire won’t care about administrative exemptions.”

The wastewater treatment system, discharging near French Creek through shallow emitters, exemplifies the infrastructure strain. While approved for seasonal use, its year-round capability remains questionable, particularly during freeze conditions.

Looking ahead 30 years, the trajectory is concerning. If past patterns hold, today’s “compliance adjustment” could lay groundwork for future expansions. The increasing involvement of organizations like Rockside Ranch and Bethel Church suggests a shift toward year-round institutional use—a far cry from the local youth camps that once served our community.

The financial impact of JH Ranch’s tax-exempt status merits examination. With a 2024 assessed value of $5,876,729—comprising $348,920 in land value, $5,254,869 in structures, and $272,940 in other assets—the facility operates as a fully tax-exempt entity while generating substantial revenue. At approximately $3,000 per week per guest and capacity for 385 participants during peak season, the operation’s revenue potential is significant (1.1 million per week in camper fees). However, the broader question extends beyond direct tax implications to resource utilization. The intensive use of Scott river watershed, public roads, and emergency services creates real costs for the community. The original vision of a local Christian youth camp has evolved into what effectively functions as a commercial enterprise, albeit under religious tax-exempt status. This transformation raises questions about the balance between supporting religious institutions and ensuring equitable contribution to community infrastructure and services. As JH Ranch now seeks to “formalize” year-round operations and expand its institutional partnerships with organizations like Rockside Ranch and Bethel Church, these questions become increasingly relevant to long-term community planning and resource allocation.

The Planning Commission faces a crucial decision: whether to continue the pattern of retroactive accommodation or to insist on proper infrastructure and safety measures before allowing further intensification of use. The public hearing on February 19 offers community members an opportunity to voice their perspectives on this pivotal moment in French Creek Valley’s development.

***of interest, JH long term plan interview – May 2015: “wanted 1600 campers” https://www.facebook.com/ScottValleyNews/videos/531980993600730/