Council OKs juniper development

CEDAR HILLS — First, there was the debt. Then the homeowners association's restrictions. Then the juniper trees.

It hasn't been easy for Cedar Hills officials to find a way to keep the city's golf course and not its $6.25 million debt, but Tuesday, City Council members approved a concept plan that might make residents happy — or maybe a little sad.

With a unanimous vote at Tuesday's City Council meeting, council members supported a concept plan that proposes developing 23 lots on hole 15 of the par-72 course. An additional seven lots would be built on the edge of a grove of juniper trees that have

been the subject of protest from residents who don't want to see the grove developed.

"I am confident we have looked at every twist and every turn in this, and it is all about compromise," said Councilman Jim Perry. "I am at peace and I think this represents the best possible compromise that could alleviate the tax burden and at the same time mitigate impact (on the neighborhood of townhomes located near hole 15) by putting in a really nice development with open space next to the townhomes."

Perry previously voiced concerns about lowering the property value of the townhomes that currently border the golf course by building in their back yard. The approved concept plan proposes building building a city-maintained, gated community that includes 19 homes, a church lot and a potential reception center.

The city looked at developing the area along Canyon Road because other city-owned land that surrounds the golf course is also governed by the Cedars Home Owners Association. Difficulties finding a development solution that was satisfactory to both the HOA and the city prompted the city to focus on land that was not part of the existing HOA agreement.

City employees said the revised plan could be "tweaked" for engineering purposes, but current plans include a 100-foot buffer between the new development and existing townhomes.

"We'd like to make it very attractive with very desirable lots," said City Manager Konrad Hildebrandt. "The city would maintain the streets, snow removal, maintenance, sidewalks and gates. Residents could have the benefit of a gated community that backs onto a golf course with no HOA issues, fees, governance, whatever."

Hildebrandt said he estimates the development could bring some $7 million to the city — more than enough to pay for the city's golf course debt — which would also cover the cost of developing the area.