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Article Courtesy of The Sun
Sentinel
By Jan Engoren
Published March 30, 2017
The Wellington Village Council voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve the nine-lot
Winding Trails residential project to be built on the former Wanderers Club
executive golf course.
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The approval follows
months of discussions with the developer and residents, many
of whom had concerns about traffic, safety, entrance and
egress of large trucks in the area and the number of horse
stalls to be built.
The nine equestrian-oriented residential lots of 2.3 to 4.45
acres each, to contain homes, barns and groom's quarters,
will be situated on the former nine-hole golf course in the
area of Aero Club Drive and Greenbriar Boulevard.
The project winds around the Lakefield South neighborhood,
whose residents were divided about the proposal until
subsequent meetings with developers who were able to sway
many dissenters.
Many residents whose homes sit on the golf course were not
happy that they would now be facing an equestrian community,
with the associated noise and smells. |
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The village of Wellington recently approved the Winding
Trails residential project to be built on the former Wanderers Club
executive golf course.
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Patricia Holloway, president of Ward Development, said, "We had to educate and
inform the residents through community outreach, and once they fully understood
the scope of the project, they were excited about it.
"They realized it is a better option than having more townhomes or single-family
houses on that lot, and this plan allows for more open space," she said.
Residents were swayed in part by developers' promises to increase the turning
radius for large trucks, develop contingencies so that trucks are not idling on
Aero Club Drive waiting for gates to open, reduce the number of stalls from 12
to 10 per lot for a total of 90, and allow only four rental stalls per lot.
During school hours, deliveries by trucks 40 feet or longer will be prohibited.
The nine residences will be limited to two stories, with a barn below and living
space above.
Robert Basehart, Wellington's planning, zoning and building director, said that
at first the proposal was difficult for many residents to swallow.
"The developer made concessions in changes to the plans to make it as safe as
you can make it," he noted.
"It's going to be a nice project and an asset to the community and to the
equestrian world," he said, noting that the former golf course had been unused
for the past eight years and earlier attempts at turning the course into a park
had failed.
He expects initial housing will be available for the 2018 equestrian season.
Fully on board for the project, Basehart said, "I can't think of a better
solution for the property."
Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig voted against the project the first time, as she
didn't see support from the affected residents.
She changed her mind when residents came around in favor of the proposal, she
said.
"By the second reading (and hearing) the developer had gained quite a bit of
support," she said. "Much more than half of the Lakefield South residents were
in support of the project, compared to those opposed."
Attorney Anthony Barbuto, who represented the Lakefield South Homeowners
Association, said, "Undeniably, the residents' voices were heard, considered and
respected.
"Democracy is alive and well in the city of Wellington, and the village should
be commended for its considerate and professional handling of the controversy,"
he said. |
