The developer and opponents of a proposed golf academy on Dulaney Valley Road are claiming partial victory from a Baltimore County hearing officer's approval of the project.
Hearing officer Timothy M. Kotroco ruled last week that developer Clark F. MacKenzie can build the nine-hole golf course and related buildings on 86 acres near Loch Raven Reservoir. But Kotroco denied the developer's request to install lighting on the driving range.
"We were generally pleased with it, but we are upset the lighting was turned down," said Sibby Gibbs, project manager of Maryland Golf Academy, which would be modeled after schools in Pinehurst, N.C., Lexington, Ky., and Cincinnati.
But Bradley Kunhardt, one of the residents opposed to the project, said the denial of the lights was an important victory for the neighbors. "All of us are extremely pleased about the lights," he said.
Residents had testified that they feared the academy would bring traffic congestion and commercialization to a rural area.
In addition to the golf academy, MacKenzie is proposing a nature conservancy and seven-unit housing development. The entire project would consist of 145 acres next to Towson Golf and Country Club.
Gibbs said the development team will decide in a few weeks whether to build the golf course without the lights or appeal the restriction. In any case, the developer plans to proceed with the housing development.
Kunhardt said residents must review the hearing officer's decision before deciding whether to appeal, but vowed residents will be involved in the project.
Pub Date: 5/21/97
