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Golf Lovers Beware |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 27 February 2006 |
Homes might replace course
Gulf Gate could see its golf course converted into more residential uses.
By HEATHER ALLEN
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It's a community that, for many years, has kept a low profile. Designed in the 1960s, Gulf Gate was created for retirees and middle-class families. But as development moves southward down the trail, change is knocking on Gulf Gate's door.
A developer recently approached Leslie Gray, owner of the Gulf Gate Executive Golf Course, and entered into a development contract that is contingent on approval by the county.
Though it's far from a done deal, wheels have been set in motion to replace lush greens with homes and villas.
And while the developers have yet to submit any formal plans to the county, they must first square off against the community association, which vows that no matter what happens, Gulf Gate must retain its identity.
All the players involved are in a virtual holding pattern. The developers, FF Land Development LLC, have yet to submit a final plan to the county, which means the residents have yet to take a stance on development of the course.
"We don't want to make a rash decision," said Peter W. Kiziu, president of the Gulf Gate Community Association, Inc. "We are doing the best we can with what we have."
Kiziu said Gray informed the community association in December that she had been approached by developers. She told Kiziu that FF Land Development had the best vision for the golf course.
Gray was out of town and unavailable for comment.
Consultants working on the project have been present at the community meetings in an effort to keep the lines of communication open and address residents' concerns.
"We're here to find a really nice, happy medium," said Robert Rogers, the project manager. "We've been very proactive and empathic and we're trying to find something that fits."
When Gulf Gate was first plotted and planned, the golf course was never designated as open space. Technically, the golf course is zoned residential. What the developers would need to do, if they chose to build condos or multifamily homes, is ask for a change in density. Currently, one unit can be built on every two acres.
Rogers said FF wants to get the area zoning changed to allow 4.5 units per acre. The vision for the project includes a mix of different kinds of housing: single-family homes, town houses, villas and multifamily homes.
County Commissioner Jon Thaxton, whose district includes Gulf Gate, said the county can do any number of things once the plan is submitted. The most likely scenario involves the developers applying for a rezoning petition. If and when that happens, the county staff will then have to examine how traffic, schools, libraries and drainage will be affected. Once that research is completed, the staff will make a recommendation to the County Commission and public hearings will be held.
The process could take anywhere from a few months to more than a year.
Rogers expects that a site plan will be submitted within the next three months.
The community association retained a lawyer to help it through the process.
"All we're doing at this point in time is waiting to see what is submitted," said Stephen Thompson, who specializes in land use issues and working with community associations. "We want it to be consistent and compatible. If it isn't, then we will probably oppose (the plan)."
Bottom line, Rogers said, the golf course will disappear.
"Yes, I understand that if you had an open field in your backyard, you would rather have an open field," Rogers said.
"But, you know what? It's going to be built on."
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Florida News