REF:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/editorials/look-past-owners-angry-century-village-residents-for-2139186.html
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By The Palm Beach Post
Posted: 6:32 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012
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Cramming into the Palm Beach County Commission chambers and inundating the overflow rooms, Century Village residents appeared to shatter turnout records last Thursday when they bashed plans for houses, apartments and shops on the unused Turtle Bay golf course alongside their retirement community near West Palm Beach.
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While residents' fears about the Reflection Bay proposal's impact and their claims that the owners have no right to develop the property are overstated, county commissioners were right to delay a decision until October, while unresolved questions are answered and other alternatives pursued.
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In the 1970s, when Century Village was built along Haverhill Road, the golf course was completed with it. County planners mandated that the site remain a golf course "in perpetuity." It was for years a popular recreation spot for retirees who lived nearby, but under new ownership the course withered and closed in 2008.
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Owners Andrew and Ana Waldman blame Century Village residents' declining interest in golf, while some residents claim that the new owners didn't maintain the course and showed no interest in keeping it open.
Now, Mr. and Mrs. Waldman want to cash in by building shops, houses, apartments and a civic center on the 70-acre property. Mr. Waldman argues that the amenities will benefit Century Village residents.
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Some agree. But far more, at this point, have expressed opposition. They claim that building over the green space could affect their condo views, traffic and even their health and safety.
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For the project to go forward, county commissioners have to sign off on it. But at last week's meeting, three of the six commissioners in attendance - including Paulette Burdick, whose district includes Century Village - opposed the idea. They argued that the best thing was to follow nearby residents' wishes and county planners' original intent by keeping the land as a golf course.
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That decision makes sense, but only for now. Changing the property from a golf course to a mixed-use development would be a dramatic change. Though many residents say they would benefit, there is no immediate need for housing and shopping plazas in that area.
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However, the golf course remains closed and an eyesore, and the Waldmans show no sign of reopening it. Did they really buy the land during the real estate bubble with the idea of keeping the course open?
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If the development is approved but flops, would that make for an even uglier eyesore?
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At Thursday's meeting, a company that manages golf courses demonstrated interest in taking over Turtle Bay. Selling to someone who wanted to reopen the course under new management would be less lucrative for the Waldmans, but the course could be a better fit.
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The commission needs a lot of answers before October.
- Andrew Marra,
for The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board
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This is one of the best-written and fairest articles on the golf course I have read.
ReplyDeleteTo day I played a round of golf at the Poinciana Golf Club in Lake Worth. Twice a week, 25 to 30 Century Village residents, gets together and take advantage of the excellent playing condition and very affordable rate available. Many other groups are doing the same.
ReplyDeleteThe Poinciana Golf Club was going down under until Mr. Kevin Swill invested in it. He and his team of professionals have significantly improve the course and the word is spreading among the area golfers.
Mr. Swill has expressed interest in the Turtle Bay Golf course in a letter read at last week hearing by County Commissioners.
Mr. Swill is the type of businessman we need to rebuild what land speculators have destroyed on purpose.
Let's hope that one day, CV resident, will be able to play golf without having to drive in heavy traffic on the County roads. Andre