VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Residents of a Virginia Beach neighborhood once had Arnold Palmer’s signature on the West Neck Golf Course. Today they have acres and acres of dense weeds and brush, so dense that one day the abandoned course caught fire.
Previously: Wildland fire burned about 20 acres at Virginia Beach golf course, firefighters say
It closed its doors on September 29, 2019after the original owner struggled financially and could no longer stay the course, but now a developer wants to build a mixed-use community.
There are bad relations in the West Neck community, but famous developer Harrison and Lear Inc. wants to mend fences and develop what is considered a giant eyesore into a community called Signature Meadows.
During the former course with Harrison and Lear, President Jonathan Skinner was very proud that the project, he said, addresses the stormwater needs on the property, has elements of land conservation with the planting of trees and other reforestation efforts and provides high-quality, single-family housing. multi-family housing.
But not everyone is happy, and some are really discouraged, especially when it comes to the “Spite Wall”.
The wall of spite symbolizes the bad blood of the old Signature at West Neck golf course.
According to neighbors, the “wall” was erected by the golf course’s new owner, David LaClair, who refused neighbors’ requests to reduce the thick vegetation on his property.
“I had a great view, as did Tom (Luckman) and I, and now that view is gone,” Joe Kuhn said. “We complained and he basically said, ‘OK, I’m putting up a wall.’ …Now you don’t need to watch it anymore.
The brush was so thick that it caught fire in March 2023. Ten homes were threatened, but fortunately none were damaged.
When asked about this, Skinner was quick to distance himself from the owner’s actions,
“I am distinctly separate from the owner,” Skinner said. “I don’t agree with any of the decisions they made regarding maintenance or fencing. What he did was not friendly. My intention here is to improve the situation and bring peace and quality of life to the neighbors.
Calls to LaClair and his attorney were not returned.
Skinner’s only relationship with the owner is that he has the option to buy the property if he can get it rezoned.
Skinner spent a year and a half promoting Signature Meadows. Well-produced videos can be found online.
Project videos show focus groups, public meetings, and project details. There would be 157 homes built on 202 acres, with emphasis on 180 acres of open space.
A Drone 10 view of the old golf course shows what happened to what was once considered a premier local golf course, and was tough as nails.
“There is a vocal minority advocating for just a golf course,” Skinner said, “but the majority of residents simply want a solution, and many like the fact that we are going to convert 180 acres into open space that will be useful. be able to enjoy. »
West Neck Community Association President Tom Luckman, who opposes the project, said he doesn’t get the same sentiment from neighbors.
“If it were true that he was getting all these positive responses,” Luckman said, “then he would file his application and go to the planning commission and the city council next week.”
Both government agencies would have to hear the rezoning request and council would have to approve it before the building could be constructed.
Skinner has not yet filed an application for the project.
Why not?
“What we did was work with residents to improve the plan to make it the best plan possible,” Skinner said. “We actually had plans to put in pickleball courts, but the focus groups indicated that was not something they wanted. »
Skinner admits his biggest challenge is gaining community support and convincing the Virginia Beach City Council to change the strict density restrictions.
“That’s one perspective of the analysis, but it’s 202 acres,” Skinner said, “and we’re proposing 157 homes, or about 0.75 units per acre, which is within zone guidelines of transition.”
When Luckman heard this, he immediately responded that “that’s not true.”
Luckman noted that the golf course was part of the original agreement, which allowed the community to be built in 1999.
“We got a waiver when it was being developed,” Luckman said. “They counted the golf course in that acre. Thus, the 175 acres necessary for the development of a golf course have already been counted. You can’t count it anymore. You cannot build houses on a golf course which is considered the reason the construction of houses was allowed.
Skinner, asked if he thought he would get the six votes the council needed to approve his project?
“I feel like we’ll get there,” Skinner said.
Luckman disagreed.
“The Council is not going to change the rules and screw up the transition zone,” Luckman said. “The council won’t do that. I think the council is too smart to do that.
Told he was asking the council to change direction, Skinner said he was proposing an answer to a problem.
“I’m proposing a solution,” Skinner said, “and the city also needs quality housing.” In my meetings with city leaders and municipal staff, I received very positive feedback on this proposal.
Skinner is convinced that no one will ever come up with $8 million to $10 million to rebuild the golf course.
“It’s all about greed,” Luckman said. “I mean, they can make a lot more money if they put something else next to a golf course.”
Skinner was quick to disagree with this and said: “I actually would have been happy to negotiate the sale of a golf course.” It would have taken a lot less work and would have been just as rewarding.
Skinner’s attitude in a nutshell: If it’s not my plan, then what plan?
Is this how property stays forever?
“Skinner wants to destroy two communities,” Luckman said.
Skinner said he was trying to improve it and said it was the best way forward because there would never be a golf course.
“Well, that’s his opinion,” Luckman said.
Skinner and Luckman explained what their purpose was.
For Skinner?
“If this is not approved, then the situation will remain as it is in perpetuity because of the cost of redeveloping the golf course,” Skinner said. “If I don’t succeed, I will move on to the next opportunity trying to build a new community in another location. »
Luckman said: “I’ll tell you the endgame. The community sticks together, and this guy realizes he’s spending a lot of time and effort on something that’s not going to happen, and he’s pretty smart to go away.
Skinner said residents want what they see as a public nuisance addressed.
“Residents are also disappointed that the city has not intervened to address public nuisances related to the golf course,” Skinner said, “which in many areas is not maintained, and they feel that their city let it go.”
Virginia Beach Communications Director Tiffany Russell said the city is not able to fully maintain the property in that area.
“We understand that residents were hoping for mowing to be mandatory in areas directly adjacent to their residence. Unfortunately, this outcome – full maintenance of the property – was not achievable through the negotiated settlement,” Russell said. “What may not be known is that if this case had gone to trial and the federal court had found the municipal code’s ‘active farming’ exception applicable, no property would have been subject to the mowing obligation. In order to avoid this significant risk, the city negotiated a regulation requiring that a significant portion of the property be maintained at a height of 10 inches or less required by city code, including high visibility areas along public rights-of-way. The city has committed resources to ensure that WC Capital upholds its end of the agreement.
The General Assembly also votes on HB 1054, introduced by Virginia Beach Del. Barry Knight to specifically address the Signature at West Neck Golf Course “to enable a locality…to require the owner of a property…to prevent the property from becoming a detriment to the health, safety or welfare be.
It allows the locality to intervene, if necessary, to cut off vegetative growth and bill the owner.
This is a specific case for the legislation, but it has been continued until next year’s General Assembly session because the case is tied up in federal court.
Calls to the owner, David LaClair, and his attorney went unanswered.
For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos, visit WAVY.com.
yahoo
