The golf course has been listed for sale on the internet.  It appears on a commercial property website called loopnet.com.  The listing can be found by clicking on the following link: Golf course for sale

 

On June 7, a small group representing the Morgan Creek HOA Board and the MCHC met with two senior members of the Placer County Planning Department. The purpose was to find current information regarding the County review and approval process for any proposed residential development of the golf course land. The meeting clarified the county review process and confirmed many of the challenges any developer would face.

• Could a developer build 100+ houses on golf course land? Not necessarily. There is no a priorientitlement to build 100+ houses. The area could accommodate more homes, but the number would depend on a complex analysis of zoning requirements, lot size/density restrictions, natural preserve and floodplain restrictions, and a specific proposed arrangement of lots.
• Could the area be rezoned to facilitate development? Yes, but rezoning would be a long and difficult process of its own.
• Would this be an unusually difficult area to develop? Yes, due to the nature of the area, open questions regarding vehicle and utility access, anticipated significant community objections, etc.
• How long would it take a developer to obtain approval for their project? A recommendation by the Planning Commission would normally take about 18 months from initial plan submittal. However, possible multiple iterations of plan reviews and revisions or significant community opposition could extend the process for years. Rezoning or an appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision would require additional project review and approval by the Board of Supervisors, further extending the time and cost.
• Would an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) be required? This scope of project would almost certainly require an EIR, which could take 18 months or more and cost from $200,000 to $1,000,000. The developer would be required to post funds to pay for the EIR in advance.
• Does community opinion carry much weight? Yes, community opinion is a significant factor in any project review process.
• How can the community voice its opinion? Besides informal meetings, there are multiple formal opportunities for public comment. They include public hearings regarding the EIR, Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) hearings, County Planning Commission hearings, and County Board of Supervisors hearings.
• Are the Dry Creek West Placer Community Plan and the Dry Creek Greenway Regional Vision still significant guiding documents for developments in the area? Yes, and both place strong emphasis on preservation of natural assets and open space.
• Could development occur within the floodplain or other preserve areas? No modification of or building on the floodplain would be allowed. Other restricted preserves would only be possible home sites if acceptable mitigation plans were presented.
• How can we stay informed if development plans are presented to the county?The planners agreed to notify us if a developer submits any plans for the golf course, as such actions are public information.

The Morgan Creek Homeowners Coalition (MCHC) has arranged a fund raising event this Thursday at a Morgan Creek resident’s home. We know that the golf course owner has meet with the Placer County planning department regarding turning the golf course into a housing development. We need to stop this effort in its tracks!

We need to show our current Supervisor, Mr. Duran that Morgan Creek homeowners are prepared to fight and we, as voters, can count on his support if it comes to that. The Supervisor position is a non-party affiliated office. This is not a political plea, or a partisan issue, this affects all Morgan Creek residents and we have to act now.

Please join us on Thursday May 31st from 6 pm to 8 pm at the home of Robyn Dahlgren & Michael Cappelluti, 8873 Creekstone Circle for wine, appetizers, and conversation with Jack Duran.

Our donations and our votes are as important as our voices. Please RSVP to James Shelby at jshelby69@comcast.net by Wednesday, May 30th. If you can’t attend but would still like to donate, please drop a check by Robyn’s before the event. Your support is critical to maintaining the lifestyle we enjoy here at Morgan Creek.

Golf course owner, Charlie Gibson, continues to approach individual homeowners and our Board to subsidize the golf course for 10 years to keep it operational.  In one-on-one discussions Mr. Gibson asserts he will “not open his books” to the HOA for audit, appraisal or valuation. This lack of financial transparency poses a dilemma for both individual homeowners and the HOA. Without conducting financial due diligence, how can we make an informed decision whether this subsidy is a good investment for our community or simply lining the pockets of the golf course owners?   Without financial information (salaries, maintenance, utilities, etc.), audited or reviewed by a licensed third party, proper stewardship of our money cannot be assured.

If you are interested in understanding more about golf course economics and what type of information we’d require to make a decision, please go to golfappraisers.org. If you are interested in the salaries (expenses) paid to golf course managers, staff and maintenance personnel go to average golf course salary or glassdoor.com-average golf course salaries

The golf course owners have presented our HOA board with a proposal to have all homeowners subsidize the golf course by adding $30 or more to HOA monthly fees. We understand the amount could be as much as $50 now.  It is a moving target.   They claim the course is losing money and without this help it may have to close.  However, as of now they refuse to open their books.

Our Board is preparing to bring this proposal to the homeowners in a public meeting for comments.  This was to be in early May but is postponed indefinitely.   A  vote is planned shortly thereafter.  With no subsidy the course owners have suggested closure, possible shutting down of the back nine, or attempting to open the course lands for development of more residential housing. 

These issues are critical to protecting our homeowner values.  You owe it to yourselves and the community to get informed and become active.  Together we can make a difference!  Regular bi-monthly Board and Homeowners meeting is May 15.  Be there.

San Ramon Golf course was purchased in 2015 by a developer.  He has been trying to develop it since then, so far without success.  A homeowners group similar to ours called Stay the Course San Ramon was formed has been an effective voice there.  If you have a chance check out the links below to see what they are doing.  Read the first link first for background.  Check out the rest of their website as well.  The second link “Annual Report 2017” gives the latest status.  Share your thoughts with us.

Stay the Course San Ramon

Stay the Course Annual Report 2017

Is it possible that if the Golf Course owners can’t convince the homeowners to provide a subsidy, the Golf course could shrink from its present form to either a 9 hole course, or modified to an 18 hole short course? This writer had a discussion with Charlie Gibson yesterday and he indicated this would be his preference if the subsidy fails to materialize.  According to Charlie, the concept would be to close the back 9,  a possible cost savings of over $400,000 in water, maintenance, etc.  The front 9 in whatever form would continue to operate along with the pavilion.  That’s where Charlie apparently stands, at least at this writing.

Some goods, some bads in this proposal.  Your thoughts.

We understand there was to be a public forum on May 15 sponsored by our HOA board.  It was to discuss the Golf Course owners proposal to obtain a subsidy from the owners.  According to the Course owners the subsidy is necessary to keep the course operating as it is without change.  We have heard the meeting is being postponed, and instead, the regularly scheduled Board meeting and owners forum will take place.  Perhaps some more Q & A about the proposal will be possible.  We urge you to attend.

The reason for postponement is unclear.  Whatever it is, it appears we don’t yet have a meeting of the minds on what is being proposed.

Our golf course part owner and manager is moving on.  Charlie Gibson is selling his spacious home on Ravensworth Place and moving to Serrano.   According to Charlie he decided he did not want the pressures of living where he works.  Instead he says he will continue to manage the course himself via a daily 50 minute plus commute.  We wish him luck in his new abode.

The Morgan Creek Golf Course owners claim the business is not making money.  They have asked the community to subsidize its operation for from 3 to 10 years.  The way it is being operated this is probably true.  If they choose not to continue as is, what might the owners options be:

1. They could sell the course. Rumor has it there have been two offers.
2. They could successfully lobby for the homeowners to subsidize them.
3. They could attempt to close all or part of the course and develop the land, a tall order. See the editorial below for more.
4. They could close the course and let it lay fallow as they did at Sunset Whitney.

There is some support in the community for options 1. and 2. above. Options 3. and 4. would have a strong negative effect on our Morgan Creek lifestyle and probably negatively affect property values.