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Ms. Emily Cameron 34 <br /> Page Two <br /> January 22, 1997 <br /> 3. We question why golf courses within residential developments have to be permitted under a <br /> special use permit. Golf courses enhance the environment as compared to a higher density <br /> residential area. Properly planned together, golf courses are a nice amenity to a housing <br /> development, as evidenced by their popularity in Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Pinehurst and <br /> other Carolina resort destinations. <br /> 4. Golf courses should not be summarily prohibited from critical areas of protected watersheds. <br /> Properly designed, golf courses can enhance flood protection, water filtration and <br /> purification, etc. We applaud your allowing special clearing of trees and stream buffer areas <br /> where they might block the line of play. <br /> 5. In reviewing the specific requirements for a golf course design, including minimum setback <br /> buffers, standards for parking lot, road layout and buffers, it is easy to highlight existing <br /> courses that probably violate the stringent rules, and yet are considered good neighbors. One <br /> is The Quarry Golf Club in San Antonio, which is sunk 100-feet into a vertical wall stone <br /> quarry. Under similar circumstances would the 75-feet from tee, and 100-feet from fairway <br /> centerline still be required under this ordinance? <br /> 6. While well-intended, some design requirements are subject to interpretation. For example, <br /> the phrases, "all vehicular and pedestrian surfaces shall be designed and graded to be visually <br /> unobtrusive...";"The course proposed shall be designed to fit the existing site conditions with <br /> minimal changes..."; and "Locations of...site elements shall be planned to minimize land <br /> disturbance and clearing of vegetation,and driving range shall be internally oriented..."all <br /> are well-intended,but would be incorporated by any qualified golf course architect anyway. <br /> Our concern is that, being subject to wide interpretation, these phrases could possibly be used <br /> as "straw men"to question an otherwise qualified design. <br /> 7. The issue of increased civil penalties above and beyond what might be required for other <br /> developments in the zoning ordinance should not be based on the presumption that golf <br /> courses are either particularly complex,or more prone by nature to be subject to violations of <br /> any zoning ordinance. Although this is an issue that fits the national ongoing debate of <br /> penalties and regulations versus incentive and conservation, more consideration should be <br /> given to this area. <br />