Barton Tuck, the current owner of the Killearn Country Club, has filed a request with the City of Tallahassee’s Planning Commission to change the zoning of land located on what was known as the North Course. The North Course was recently closed.
The requested amendment changes the zoning designation of five areas of the Killearn Golf and Country Club from Recreation/Open Space to Urban Residential and Residential.
The Urban residential designation allows for single-family houses, townhomes, and multifamily dwellings at a maximum density of 10 units per acre. This area is shown in the map below as Site E and is best described as what was formerly known as the North Course holes 7, 8, & 9 and the current driving range.
The Residential Preservation designation allows for single-family houses, townhomes, and duplexes at a maximum density of 6 unites per acre. This area is shown in the map below as sites A, B, C, and D. The areas area best described as what was formerly known as North Course # 1 green, #2 tee box, #3 green, and #4 tee box. holes 7, 8, & 9 and the current driving range.
The rezoning impacts approximately 41 acres.
The rezoning application is the next step in the continuing controversy over the proposed redevelopment of the Killearn Country Club that began with legal actions by homeowners that resided on the North Course after the club owner announced his intentions.
The notices of the requested rezoning amendment, which were sent to homes located within approximately 1,000 feet of the subject property, indicate that the first informational meeting will take place on Thursday November 17th at 5:30 pm at the Renaissance Center located at 435 North Macomb Street.
The rezoning amendment raises several questions.
First, does the proposed zoning for Site E allow for apartments and/or the assisted living uses that were recently being considered by the property owner? Our story on that subject can be read here.
Second, will the main entrance to the club from Shamrock remain open?
And third, will the change in the zoning be contingent on specific improvements to the Killearn Country Club property? The notice states the applicant “is requesting this amendment to help finance improvements to Killearn Golf and Country Club.”
Killearn Country Club Owner Seeks Rezoning of North Course Land from City of Tallahassee added by Staff on
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I can only imagine what traffic on the Shamrock “loop” will be like with an additional 700 automobiles speeding through as though it is the Daytona raceway. Apartments adding another 700 cars? A nursing home with sirens piercing the quiet of the beautiful neighborhood? Neither is wanted by anyone. Mr. Tuck keeps claiming the “majority” of residents wants the course revitalized. The majority of residents couldn’t care less about the golf course. They think the golfers should foot the bill for what only the golfers will benefit from. Mr. Tuck doesn’t live here. He purchased the property knowing it was an 18-hole course, and now he wants to sell it to a developer. Rezoning this land will seriously impact traffic and the environment. The upcoming hearings are little more than an opportunity for the community to vent. Call, write, and email ALL the City Commissioners who will vote on this disaster of a request. Let them know more housing in a community which already supports 3800 households is NOT in the best interests of anyone except Mr. Tuck’s mortgage holders and Mr. Tuck.
Killearn is an old but very beautiful neighborhood that is arguably the most sought-after homebuyer’s market in Tallahassee. Many homesites have large lots with beautiful trees and extensive landscaping – an anachronism flying proudly in the face of today’s cookie-cutter, production-built homes so prevalent in today’s newer neighborhoods. This is why people will buy a 40 or 50 year old Killearn home and spend enormous amounts of money remodeling it – because they want to live in this neighborhood.
As a ten-year Killearn resident, I’ve driven past the “new” developments in upper NE Tallahassee, and they look like cookie-cutter homes stacked up in an empty cow pasture, all the trees removed and homes standing not fifteen feet from one another. I fault no one for buying one, my wife and I have looked at them ourselves and they’re very nice inside – but I prefer my 40-year old home on it’s scenic lot.
The thought of possibly having a cookie-cutter style group of homes in Killearn is very troubling. Killearn has long been immune to the modern dense-home neighborhood style, and possibly having one built in the middle of the neighborhood isn’t a welcome prospect. Hopefully if that happens, it will be the only project of it’s kind within our borders.
Has anyone noticed that the other club he has supposidly revitalized has no buildings which are visable on that clubs website?
Let’s see some due diligence on how traffic from this development will impact the streets, particularly the round a bout.