There has been no new rezoning filed since the Thursday, July 14, Planning Board meeting, but Visions Golf is planning to resubmit within the next few days.
It’s been just over one month since the City of Plant City’s Planning Board opted not to make a decision on the proposed rezoning of the closed Hills golf course holes in the Walden Lake community.
After the Planning Board meeting, Thursday, July 14, where the decision was made, Visions Golf LLC, the company that owns the two 18-hole golf courses in Walden Lake, said it would resubmit new applications for rezoning. That time is now drawing near.
Steve Mercer, the owner of Visions Golf, said Wednesday, Aug. 17, Visions is preparing to send in an amended application. The final details of the application have not been released.
“Visions Golf is currently making final adjustments to the amended application and expects to resubmit within the next few days,” Mercer said.
Visions Golf’s most recent application for rezoning from the City of Plant City included development of up to 146 single-family units, up to 216 multi-family dwelling units and a proposed park along Timberlane Drive.
After discussion at the July 14 Planning Board meeting, Visions agreed modifications to the proposal could be made. In one area, originally proposed for 60 multi-family units, Visions suggested a limitation of 45 units. Additionally, Visions proposed 70 single-family units instead of the original planned 156 units.
Visions also suggested 146 single-family units, originally proposed for a new road that would connect Griffin Boulevard to Clubhouse Drive, would be exclusively one story instead of two story.
When Visions Golf submits an amended application, the proposal will be sent out to multiple reviewing agencies for comment, and will need the approval of the City of Plant City’s planning staff before going to the Planning Board.
Despite still opposing the proposed rezoning, the WLCA remains in open discussions with Visions Golf and Professional Golf Global Group, the company that is managing the country club operations.
“There’s been movement,” WLCA President Dan Orrico said. “But we haven’t gotten to the point where the board is comfortable taking what is being offered to the community.”
If and when negotiations between the groups reach an agreement, Orrico said the community will have a final say in the decision.
“The board is not against golf, or having a successful business (in the community),” Orrico said. “What we don’t want to see is houses running through the heart of Walden Lake.”
Based on what Visions offers in the future, Orrico said the board may change their stance of direct opposition.
“I would say we would move to position where we were not in direct opposition to it,” Orrico said. “We’re not saying we’re not willing to compromise either. We continue to negotiate with Visions and with the Professional Golf Global Group. Ideally, we’d want to come up with something that minimizes impact for everybody. That’s kind of the goal.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
