STEVENSON, Wash. -- The Columbia River Gorge Commission voted to revise its land-use management plan, the first step toward the building of a large-scale recreational resort.

A majority of the commission said the revision applies to only one property and will not set a precedent enabling widespread development.

"It's a benefit to the community and to all those that come to the gorge," said Joyce Reinig, a gorge commissioner. "This does not open the door to multiple resorts."

The resort would feature several hundred units the size of small houses. Opponents, including the group Friends of the Columbia Gorge, say it's residential housing posing as a commercial recreation project, and plan to contest Tuesday's decision.

"It's likely going to be appealed," said Michael Lang, the group's conservation director. He said the commission is no longer carrying out its responsibility to protect the 85-mile gorge.

If appealed, a final court ruling could be years away.

The gorge commission is a bi-state agency formed by Congress to manage non-urban land in the gorge. The property in question is a closed mill site owned by Broughton Lumber Co.

The vote came down to provisions outlining how long residents could stay at the resort.

Jason Spadaro, who represents the family that owns the property, told commissioners that limiting overnight occupancy would make it more difficult to sell the units. Commissioners wrestled with proposals that would limit short-term occupancy to either 60 days or 180 days a year, eventually opting for the latter.

Commissioner Honna Sheffield and Commissioner Jim Middaugh were the "no" votes in a 10-2 decision. Middaugh said the allowable maximum size of units -- 1,600 square feet -- is larger than some new single-family homes. Sheffield, meanwhile, focused on the 180-day limit.

"We have essentially changed it to a residential zone," Sheffield said.