Montgomery Village Golf Club development

After the public meeting regarding the development of the golf course property

(hosted by new property owner Monument Realty), I was approached and rudely

asked “why I or the MVF Board had no guts [sic].” I was told that“MVF should

have purchased the golf course property when it was going under.” Well,

members of the Board and I have heard this many times, and I would like to

answer the question. As Board members, it is our duty to be fi nancially

responsible with assessment dollars, making sure that each resident

receives the best and most service for their hard earned money. Purchasing

questionable properties with high risk just to “keep the status quo” is

not a responsible use of those assessments. But, assuming the Board did want

to purchase the property, I have the following questions: How would we pay for

it? How would we run it? How would we do the improvements to the buildings

and the course itself? Just where would all of this money come from? One answer

I received was, “fi nance it.”

That’s all well and good, but the monthly mortgage and the monthly bills would

still have to be paid. If anyone thinks that an assessment increase to

purchase and operate such a business is in the best interest

of Montgomery Village Foundation, please let me know. I just cannot see

assessments going up, say, even $10 or more a month per unit ($120/year),

to pay for such costs and overhead. Our duty is to provide affordable

assessments, and we are sensitive to proposals that raise assessments by even

one dollar. What would your reaction be if such a substantial

increase was proposed?

Sure, I live on the golf course and I’d love for it to remain there, but let’s get real

here. A development company has purchased the golf course. They have already

told us that they plan to eventually close the course and build on the site. What

will be built? They have not said yet. After meeting with MVF staff, the developer

has determined that more planning is necessary and has postponed the

previously announced meeting on June 25. I am hopeful that at that time,

the community will hear what is being planned and where it would be on the

property. What we—the golf course neighbors, Village residents and the MVF

Board—need to do now is work for the very best that we can possibly

achieve in this development.

The Vision 2030 Report mentions areas that many in the community thought, and

still think, are appropriate for development, while still preserving open space that

is not in the flood plain. It suggests building a “high-rise” on the

upper parking lot. The Vision 2030 Report includes comments that something

might be worked out with the MVF for use of the small park next door, possibly in

exchange for another nice area of the course.

The Vision 2030 Report is posted on the MVF website at

www.montgomeryvillage.com. It is under “About” and includes all the materials

and events leading up to the final report. It is also important to note that

this document contains ideas of what the community might like to see, not

approved plans.

The MVF Board has appointed a stellar group of residents to a Joint Property

Committee to oversee the plans for the project and make recommendations to

the Board. Please follow the schedule of their meetings and plan to attend. Your

thoughts are always welcome. All MVF meetings have residents time at the start

of the meeting, and your e-mails to the Board, to the staff and to me are always

appreciated.

NEXT MEETINGS

The next meeting of theMVF Executive Committee is schedule for 7 p.m. on

Monday, June 17 in the NorthCreek Board Room, 20125 Arrowhead Road.

Residents. Time begins at 7 p.m. The MVF Board of Directors will meet on

Thursday, June, 27 at 7:30 p.m., also in the board room. In the meantime, if you

wish to pass along a compliment or a complaint, please send me an e-mail at  

Robert. Hydorn@aol.comI look forwardto hearing from you.