Date: Fri 16-Feb-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

golf-course-Conservation

Full Text:

Conservation Panels Seeks Change In Golf Course Plan

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The Conservation Commission has asked golf professional Peter Belmont to

modify the design of his commercial golf course proposed for Botsford to

protect some wildlife habitat there.

Serving as the town's Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission,

Conservation Commission members Wednesday night asked that construction plans

for the course be changed so that less filling work be done in a 3.6 acre

unnamed pond on the site.

Mr Belmont has proposed the construction of an 18-hole, Par-54 "executive golf

course" and driving range on a 130-acre site in Botsford which has been

surface-mined by the D'Addario Sand and Stone Company, Inc. Mr Belmont said he

has an option to buy the land provided that he gets all required approvals for

golf course construction.

Commission member Cathy Andrews urged that Mr Belmont seek to protect as much

open water as possible in the 3.6-acre pond which serves as habitat for small

fish such as sunfish and bluegills.

Mr Belmont's initial construction plans for the property called for filling in

about 6.5 acres of ponds and wet areas at the site. By altering his plans as

requested by the commission, the filling work would be reduced to an area of

roughly 4 acres.

Mr Belmont had proposed that a generally oblong 3.6-acre pond be completely

filled in to create dry land.

Ms Andrews asked, however, that the construction plans be modified to leave as

much of the pond as possible intact, because many fish live in it.

Modifications would involve building an isthmus across the pond where a golf

green would be located. Under such a plan, only about one acre in the central

section of the 3.6 pond would need to be filled in, thus leaving two smaller

ponds adjacent to the golf green.

Mr Belmont's revised plans are expected to be discussed at a February 28

Conservation Commission session.

Materials allowed as fill for golf course construction include non-toxic

substances such as bricks, concrete, clean soil, ceramics, and asphalt

fragments. A limited amount of wood also is allowed.

Mr Belmont told commission members he would leave most of the ponds at the

golf course to provide for irrigation and aesthetics.

On January 4, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) approved a set of

zoning amendments which would allow a commercial golf course and driving range

in Botsford.

Besides approval from the Conservation Commission, Mr Belmont still needs

approval from the P&Z for a site development plan, as well as approvals from

the state Department of Environmental Protection and the US Army Corps of

Engineers.

Mr Belmont said he has been working witht the United States Golf Association

in designing the fairways and greens for the proposed golf course.

All holes on the course would be Par 3 holes, Mr Belmont said. The golf holes

would range in length from 85 yards to 250 yards. At least seven holes would

have water in play.

The driving range would have 110 tees. The range would be set in an area

approximately 60 to 70 feet lower than adjacent land, thus minimizing

neighbors' concerns stemming from nigthttime illumination of the golf range,

according to Mr Belmont.

The site eyed for the golf course is at 2-18 Buttonshop Road. It lies in the

area bounded by Buttonshop Road, South Main Street, Botsford Hill Road, and

Meadowbrook Lane.

The golf course and driving range complex would include a 5,000-square-foot

golf pro shop. Mr Belmont said the project which could be completed in as

little as two years, would cost more than $5 million.

Mr Belmont operates Belmont's Ridgefield Golf Range on Route 7.