Improvements sought at Peters Township golf course
Changes may be on the way for Scenic Valley Golf Course.
A limited liability corporation called 1781 Holdings, which has the golf course property under contract, is requesting a special exception approval from the Township Zoning Hearing Board.
The item is on the agenda for a hearing at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 in council chambers at the Peters municipal building.
“What they intend to do is subdivide that property, take out the area where the clubhouse is now and make it a separate parcel, and to create a recreation facility there,” township manager Paul Lauer said.
He spoke about the request during Monday’s meeting of township council, explaining the 123-acre parcel at 681 Church Hill Road is “in close proximity to a number of homes.”
“When this gets subdivided off, the intention is to continue to have a golf course there, but what you should fully expect is that it will be developed as housing at some point in time. So this recreation facility that sits in the middle of it will be surrounded by homes,” he told council.
The property is in what the township designates as a Low-Density Residential Zoning District, where a use called “Recreational Facility: Private” is permitted if approved in a process that goes through the zoning hearing board.
According to the special exception request, 1781 Holdings’ plan for the separate, 7.48-acre parcel “involves remodeling, updating and expanding the current clubhouse to integrate a new upper level, which includes a new restaurant and lounge. The remodeled lower level will provide new locker rooms, and a golf simulator. The current maintenance shop and storage buildings will be razed.
“The new maintenance shop, locker rooms and concessions for the new pool, racquet courts and fitness center will be combined into a new structure at the end of the parking lot opposite the clubhouse,” the request further states.
In the Low-Density Residential district, a restaurant is permitted but “needs to have put in some sort of sporting activity as part of the use,” solicitor John Smith said.
Bridle Trail resident Patrick Tolan, who lives next to the smaller parcel, spoke to council about the project.
“I’m not against this, but I have grave concerns about the noise,” he said, adding the pool would be visible from his yard. “We have the best view in Peters Township. I bought the house for that reason.
“You buy a house,” he added, “you’ve got to plan on empty property being developed.”
The new package of amenities is being branded as the 1781 Club, in recognition of Peters’ incorporation that year as one of the original 13 townships of Washington County.