Development envisioned by the worker-owned cooperative 11 miles north of Detroit includes adding dozens of new cabins for guests and workers, opening of a cafe, development of wind and solar energy projects and organic food production in greenhouses and gardens.

Much of the expansion is planned for about 40 acres north of the existing 86-acre Breitenbush village, which has 43 rustic guest cabins, 34 staff cabins, a historic lodge and energy-producing facilities.

The commission on Wednesday approved a 15-year conditional use permit for expansion. The conference center can ask commissioners later for up to 10 more years, the Salem Statesman Journal said.

The center hosts more than 26,000 overnight guests per year, more than half from outside Oregon. Current capacity is 256 guests and 87 staff members.

With full expansion, capacity would increase to 529 guests and 154 staff members.

Expansion proponents delivered a statement to commissioners saying thousands of potential guests have had to be turned away in recent years.

The resort provides lodging, vegetarian meals and access to pools and tubs fed by mineral-rich hot springs.

In addition, guests can hike extensive trails and participate in yoga, meditation and music sessions.

"This is not about changing our activities and types of uses," Breitenbush planners asserted in the statement. "We choose to retain a peaceful and meditative environment that nurtures the body and mind. We have a visiting faculty of over 100 people, most of whom return one or more times per year to present workshops and conferences."

The resort employs about 50 full-time and 30 seasonal workers. New development will create 45 more full-time jobs and 22 seasonal positions, according to Breitenbush planners.

But the planned growth alarms Clayton Seaton of Turner, whose family has leased a U.S. Forest Service cabin near Breitenbush since the 1950s.

"I'm sorry, I don't think it's a good idea," he told county commissioners. Seaton said that an influx of tourists will change the pristine area and require taxpayer-financed improvements on the Forest Service road to Breitenbush.

But a wildlife biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reported in a letter to the county that she no longer had concerns about potential impacts to fish and big game.

Biologist Nancy Taylor said Breitenbush planners resolved her concerns by dropping plans to build four structures in the Breitenbush River flood plain, and by agreeing not to plow the primary access road to the 40-acre expansion area in the winter.