Monday, June 26, 2023 at 6 p.m. inside the golf course clubhouse Laveen 140 hosted their meeting. It was a large turnout. Cottonfields Community Homeowners filled every seat in the room and there were a few standing. Laveen 140’s entire project team presented their updated residential development proposal.
Laveen 140 presented their very first proposal on January 9, 2023 and the proposal did not include a golf course. Their first proposal included nearly 800 to 1,000 dwellings consisting of an apartment complex, small/patio homes, townhouses. In the first proposal the golf course land would have been turned into a park like setting featuring a dog park, pickle ball courts, ramadas, desert landscape gardens, walking paths, etc.
Since the January 9, 2023 proposal they went back to the drawing board. They engaged the Cottonfields Community Homeowners in a poll to figure out exactly what do the majority of Cottonfields Community Homeowners want to see happen at their community. Number 1 must have is reopen the golf course. Unanimously agreed to by 86% of Cottonfields Community Homeowners who participated in the poll.
Once they figured out the majority of Cottonfields Community Homeowners are firm about reopening the golf course. Laveen 140 set out to evaluate what is necessary to revitalize the golf course. Laveen 140 hired an expert golf course architect and brought in various other professionals to assess the golf course. The total estimated cost to revitalize the golf course was $12-$16 million dollars. After they compiled all their data they presented their next proposal which was focused on developing a brand new, more sustainable Par-3, 18 hole Professionally golf course.
What happened at the June 26, 2023 meeting? Laveen 140 presented their revised residential development proposal. Consisted of 350+ single family homes and luxury style townhomes. Highest priced homes were around $450k. The properties would be built nearby 59th and off Southern Ave.
Cottonfields Community Homeowners concerns were whether or not the new homes would have their own access into their community. Laveen 140 said yes, they would be gated communities. The city is opening 59th between Baseline and Southern Ave. to accommodate the influx of new commercial development projects. 59th will provide direct access to the area Laveen 140 is proposing to build the gated, single family housing.
There was one Cottonfields Community Homeowner who was asked to leave the meeting because the person was being aggressive and verbally assaulting people. When the person left the meeting people were applauding. As the individual walked out a few people were saying, “Sell your house!”
What was the outcome at last night’s meeting? That’s a great question to ask! Are Cottonfields Community Homeowners willing to work with Laveen 140’s latest residential development proposal and the latest golf course proposal? Why don’t you ask your neighbors and let’s get together to further discuss this situation.
I believe Laveen 140’s latest proposals are getting closer to where we need to be. Go look at “The Short Course at Mountain Shadows in Paradise Valley, Arizona.” Ask the people who work at the course what’s their opinion about the course. Is it busy? Ask one of the golfers what is their opinion about the course. I asked a golfer at the course what his opinion is about the course. He told me it’s beautiful, fun, you can dial in your wedge game if you’re an advanced player. Great all around course for beginners and intermediate players.
Now we’re facing a very unique situation where our new golf course owner needs to sell portions of the golf course land to residential developers in order to fund golf course sustainability. The new property owners HOA fees will help sustain the new golf course operation costs. The new golf course package would include additional amenities to provide more revenue opportunities to sustain the golf course business. An improved clubhouse with restaurant, golf simulator private rooms and enhanced membership benefits.
Cottonfields Community Homeowners HOA dues don’t go up and will receive legacy golf membership perks. Ask your local Realtor if your property value will go up with an open golf course versus 140 acres blight land surrounding your community. The golf course must have more economic support in order to stay open. This plan is designed to provide more financial support via quarterly HOA dues, more amenities and services offered to keep the golf course in business. Makes perfect sense.
Some of you mentioned keeping the golf course as a green space/park is okay. What about potential homeless encampments, transients walking all hours around the green space/park? Will there be added security measures installed around the green space/park? That costs money. Who’s paying for the water bill? Keeping the golf course as a green space versus a golf course does not get my vote.
The idea there’s another person interested reopening the Southern Ridge Golf Course as it was. That’s a rumor created so people don’t take Laveen 140’s presentation seriously. The rumor creates false hope there’s a buyer who will reopen the golf course as it was. Why didn’t City of Phoenix/Maricopa County or Vee Quiva Casino purchase the golf course the past 5 year’s?” They have more purchasing power than any single person and they are not interested taking on revitalizing the golf course.
You’re telling me there’s allegedly someone who has the money to purchase the golf course, possesses the knowledge to restore the golf course and doesn’t have ulterior motives? Sorry, I’m not buying that. We’ve already been through this before. The last 3 golf course owners had big plans and failed within less than 2 years. The last owner abandoned the golf course. This cycle needs to end permanently.
I doubt the city is going to continue to go along with 140 acres blight land not serving a purpose. I doubt the city would ever pay to maintain and water the 140 acre blight land. The city would probably rezone and utilize the acres for residential and commercial development. Right now, Laveen 140 has my undivided attention and I believe something good can come out of this project.
Laveen 140 is video recording the meetings. Go to their website to watch the meetings and stay updated on their progress.
Note: Please do your own research and due diligence.
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