The property, which has been shuttered for 10 years and maintained by adjacent homeowners who mow beyond their properties, is under contract to be purchased by D.R. Horton. The developer plans to build single-family homes, but the city and citizen groups will likely oppose the plans.
D.R. Horton is taking a shot at developing the shuttered property known as The Golf Club in Cape Coral, Fla., CapeCoral.com reported.
Company officials visited City Manager John Szerlag on March 11, and told him they are the contract purchaser for the 175-acre site. They also told him they hope to build single-family homes, CapeCoral.com reported.
Once the pride of the city, The Golf Club has been closed now for 10 years. Some homeowners along the former fairways mow beyond their property lines to keep the overgrowth under control. Wildlife that manages to survive in urban settings has established homes there, CapeCoral.com reported.
“I’m stunned,” said Mary Nielson, who started a grassroots campaign more than a decade ago to “Save The Golf Club.” The group continues to keep tabs on the now-defunct course and keeps its supporters informed at www.savethegolfclub.com.
“If this comes to pass it’s sad,” Nielson said. “All along people felt that space is important to the people of Cape Coral.”
They want the last large green space in the south part of the city can be preserved for future generations, she said. “It’s always been save that last piece of green space. It’s up to the council to see that it happens,” Nielson said.
Richard Leon represents the district on the City Council. The city might be able to block residential development, according to Leon, who cited a court case that upheld a city decision, CapeCoral.com reported.
In 2009 the city denied a request from the current property owner, Florida Gulf Venture Inc., formed by Ryan Companies U.S. Inc., to change the allowable land use so it could move forward with plans for a mixed-use development providing commercial and residential space. Florida Gulf Venture sued, claiming the denial took away its right to develop its property and make a return on its investment. But the judge agreed with the city, CapeCoral.com reported.
Still, the property is designated for park or single-family uses, according to city spokeswoman Connie Barron. D.R. Horton has not submitted any applications for development on the site, Baron said. The next step would be to file a site plan, CapeCoral.com reported.
“We haven’t seen the language. We were just notified by Bill McHale [executive vice president for D.R. Horton] that D.R. Horton had a contract for purchase,” Baron said.
The Golf Club was the social and business center of early Cape Coral. A hotel was part of the property then. Cape Coral developer Gulf American Corp. built the course as an amenity for people who bought lots in the city and to entice more to buy. The club’s restaurant and meeting rooms became centers of activity, CapeCoral.com reported.
Controversy erupted around the course after its use declined. The Lee County School District attempted to buy it to locate several schools there, but the deal fell apart when it became known to the public. Ryan Companies bought the course in 2006 and put an end to play claiming it couldn’t make money from golf. Other attempts were made to strike deals for the course, including talks with Lee County to convert it into a regional park, CapeCoral.com reported.
The city’s position remains unchanged, Leon said. “It is the city’s position not to build a residential community in there,” Leon said. “When it comes to this property anything can happen.”
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