Source: Sacramento Bee (California)
Golfers or not, a group of Placerville residents mourned the demise of the Sierra Golf Course, describing it as a loss to the community and potentially to their property values.
Approximately 75 people gathered in Town Hall on Wednesday evening for a city-sponsored meeting to air concerns about the future use of nearly 18 acres between Country Club Drive and the Placerville Airport.
Many who attended live in the Country Club neighborhood and own property along the golf course, which closed 11 months ago after 44 years in operation. Although they were told the course closed because it was losing money, nearby homeowners said they stand to lose if the property is rezoned and developed.
"We paid a premium for our house because of its proximity to the golf course," said Richard Simpson, who lives on Duden Drive. He estimated property values would decline by about $20,000 per home if the site were rezoned.
Leon Chabre, owner of the course for 25 years, was not at the meeting, but he confirmed in a telephone interview that a party he declined to identify has an option to buy the property, provided it is rezoned for residential development.
The course's longtime manager retired about three years ago, and after that, the property suffered repeated vandalism, said Chabre, who lives in Woodland Hills. Management difficulties along with the rising cost of employee salaries, insurance and water for irrigation left no alternative but to close the course, he said.
Community Development Director Steve Calfee said the city has not received a development proposal for the site, although he anticipates one will be submitted soon. Surveyors have been on the property gathering data for a topographic map, he said.
The purpose of Wednesday's Town Hall meeting, Calfee said, was to share information and gauge community sentiment before a proposal comes before the Planning Commission and City Council.
The golf course site consists of two parcels zoned as open space, a designation that allows uses such as nature areas, parks, playgrounds and cemeteries. In addition, Calfee said, governmental and institutional facilities, libraries, museums, churches, professional and medical offices and residential-care facilities are allowed in open space with a use permit.
Development on part of the acreage, however, could be limited by noise impacts from the airport, Calfee said.
The minimum lot size in the Country Club Drive neighborhood is 20,000 square feet, or a little less than a half-acre, he said. If the golf course site were rezoned for residential use, he would anticipate a development of 15 to 20 homes, Calfee said, adding that he would expect lot sizes to be comparable with those in the surrounding neighborhood.
"I don't see any form of lowincome or subsidized housing," he said. "I think the property value is too highly valued."
But neighboring property owners said they don't want to see the course converted to homes. Play at the golf course declined, they said, only because the property deteriorated.
"Some of us don't abut open space, but we moved to the area because there was a golf course there," said Don Vanderkar, a Country Club Drive resident. "I also believe in property rights, but the city has to look at the broader need for open space."
Karen Tustin, a Country Club Drive resident and former City Council member, said her home borders an undeveloped area known as the Lumsden property. Although she would like it to remain open space, Tustin noted that the city's general plan designates it for residential use.
"I wouldn't expect it not to develop," she said. "But the golf course has always been zoned for open space. I want to distinguish between a golf course that a whole subdivision was built around."
But Chabre said the golf course site was zoned for residential use when he bought it in 1972 and that the city later changed the designation. He said he learned of the change only after a prospective buyer backed out of a deal in the late 1980s upon discovering that the land had been zoned as open space.
Several people at Wednesday's meeting suggested the city try to acquire the property for parkland or to lease to a manager for operation as a golf course.
City Manager John Driscoll said Chabre seeks more than a million dollars for the site, and the city does not have the money to purchase more parkland.
The city considered pursuing a grant for that purpose, but "the grant writer thought the prospects were so slim, he didn't even want to take the job," Driscoll said.
At this point, Chabre said, he does not think a golf course at the site would be profitable. With the development of newer, larger courses in the region, he said, there is too much competition.
Nine-hole courses appeal to people who are learning to play, but once they gain experience they move on to larger courses, Chabre said.
Driscoll said the city might be able to partner with the county to explore uses for the property, including an expansion of the airport, which is in the unincorporated area.
Pilots who use the general aviation airport said the golf course, a section of which borders a runway, has afforded them a measure of safety by providing a site for emergency landings.
Calfee said he would prepare a summary of Wednesday night's discussion for the City Council and Planning Commission. Copies will be available to the public at City Hall or via e-mail upon request.
If a development proposal is submitted, Calfee said, it will be subject to at least three public hearings, and owners of property within 300 feet of the golf course will be notified by mail.
