Golf course's fate is up to its neighbors
That could work for, or against, the majority of residents who want to get rid of the course — laden with $6.25 million in debt — in favor of development and park space.
City Council members plan to give residents of The Cedars — who live on the course and want to keep it that way — two choices: keep the course with some additional development and no debt or kiss it goodbye.
Though the choice to keep the course may seem obvious for those who pay a premium to live in The Cedars, obtaining a majority vote in favor of the city-proposed plan is not so simple.
"To get 172 households to sign in favor of this thing is a huge undertaking, so not only does it have to be appealing to the residents, but it has to be very appealing and gain the support of almost everybody," said Steve Lee, president of The Cedars' homeowners association. "It's not like we're trying to stiff the city, we're trying to work with the city and within certain legal limits."
Development on the golf course, as well as some nearby non-course land owned by the city, is legally restricted by The Cedars. Amending the legal limitations requires a majority vote from The Cedars residents.
If the HOA does not support this plan, council members say the city will go with "plan B." Plan B is vague and hasn't been fully determined, but it falls along the lines of liquidating the course. Some possibilities for that process are to sell part or all of the course or turn some of the ground into a public park, cemetery or native vegetation.
The city could also develop the remaining land that isn't restricted by The Cedars' development code.
"Is it a perfect solution? No," Cedar Hills City Manager Konrad Hildebrandt said. "There will be people who disagree and agree with any solution that comes up. We've gone through this a lot. And (city) staff thinks this is the best way, not only for The Cedars HOA, but also for the city as a whole."
Lee, who admits the decision whether to keep the course is an emotional one for all of Cedar Hills' residents, says he doesn't think the choices being considered should be so limited.
"There are other options," Lee said. "There's some tweaking that can still happen. I don't think it's 'take or leave it.' Or 'take it or weeds.' I don't think that's the final solution."
Still, some residents and at least one city councilman don't want to entertain maintaining the course when park space is limited and children abound.
You can be the first to comment on this story.