Planning board recommends Emerald Hills rezoning and master plan after hours of testimony

The Planning & Development Board voted to recommend approval of a rezoning and PD master plan for the Emerald Hills Golf Course property (files 25JVZ16 and 25DPJ16), advancing a multi‑site proposal that would authorize mixed housing, a new clubhouse, villas, and a retained and renovated 18‑hole golf course. Staff and the applicant emphasized the project’s phased approach, community engagement over several years and commitments to preserve roughly 133 acres of golf course as open space and to deed‑restrict that acreage so nearby HOAs can be a party to enforcement.

The proposal prompted a long public‑comment period. Opponents — many nearby residents and several technical commenters — urged caution on flood risk and stormwater capacity, citing the project’s change in pervious/impervious areas and SCS runoff numbers in the submitted drainage study. Supporters — including local residents and golf‑industry professionals — argued the redevelopment will modernize an aging course, replace obsolete drainage infrastructure and reduce weekend public course traffic by converting the site to a membership facility. The applicant committed to operational constraints including mandatory valet for club events, a parking‑management plan, and a phasing structure that prevents residential certificates of occupancy until the golf course and clubhouse are completed and finaled. On balance the board voted to recommend approval with the staff‑recommended conditions and with direction to prioritize parking and traffic mitigation measures as part of the commission review.