A plan to erect a white inflatable dome over the club’s tennis courts is drawing the ire of residents who are concerned about how the structure will affect property values. Club members and management have agreed to meet with residents in an effort to resolve the issue.
Residents surrounding Avon (Ohio) Oaks Country Club say a proposal to build a dome over the country club’s tennis courts will lower their property values, the Elyria (Ohio) Chronicle-Telegram reported.
The residents spoke during a City Council meeting on August 12, challenging city leaders to find alternatives to approving the project. Resident David Maxwell told Council that a white inflatable dome would show through the wooded area between his property and the country club, the Chronicle-Telegram reported.
“It’s property value—point blank,” Maxwell said. “We paid premium value for those lots. If that dome was there 10 years ago, we wouldn’t have.”
Diane Hexter, a resident and a realtor for Howard Hanna, predicted that a dome nearby would lower home values, but some board members questioned whether residents would be able to see it through the trees, the Chronicle-Telegram reported.
Residents responded that during the winter months, foliage is sparse, and they can see Avon Oaks Country Club’s tennis courts from their homes. City Council members tabled the issue until its next meeting in September, but Council members asked country club management to meet with concerned citizens to work out an agreement beforehand, the Chronicle-Telegram reported.
Members Jim Manns and Neal VanDuyn represented the club during the Council meeting. Manns, who also is the architect for the project, said he is willing to work with residents to find a solution, the Chronicle-Telegram reported.
Councilman Kevin Ward asked if the dome could be camouflaged or if a different type of structure could be built. VanDuyn, who also is a Board member at the club, said the 118-by-32-foot inflatable dome was the cheapest option that was considered. Other colors were considered, but white does not absorb as much heat, the Chronicle-Telegram reported.
The dome, which could be used in the colder months, is an effort to pick up customers from Five Seasons Sports Club in Westlake, which went out of business May 31, VanDuyn said.
“We do this as an opportunity to, hopefully, ensure our survivability as a club,” VanDuyn said.
Mayor Jim Smith told residents that it was obvious more discussion was needed before a decision could be made, and he asked that Avon Oaks Country Club supply more information to members who had questions about the proposal, the Chronicle-Telegram reported.
“Nobody’s going to be perfectly happy all of the time, but this will give you maybe a few weeks to talk it over,” Smith said.
The Homeowners Association and Avon Oaks Country Club will have a meeting to discuss concerns, the Chronicle-Telegram reported.
“We need more time to talk. There’s a lot more communication that needs to go on,” Maxwell said.
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