The biggest news in Madison County this year centers around the approval of “The Rose” luxury golf club and residential community, one of the biggest changes to the county’s economic and social landscape in recent years. did.
County leaders have called the club’s approval process their largest single project, making multiple headlines in the Journal throughout the year, and the project remains a hot topic of debate among community members.
The project first made waves in the community on December 12, 2023, when Matt Coutu, president of Woodland Asset Management, announced plans for a 591.91-acre club and residential area to county leaders and residents. It was when I presented it to.
The group was seeking a subdivision rezoning of the site at 0 Howard Street, Hull. The approximately 248-acre site was planned as an 18-hole golf course in an “American links” style with fewer trees and a more open feel. Plans also included a “modern-traditional” clubhouse featuring natural materials and large windows.
The clubhouse features numerous amenities, including a library, lounge, pool, dining facilities, and separate locker rooms for men and women.
The residential community on the other half of the site will include up to 168 privately owned homes on 0.75 acres with septic tanks, Koutu said.
The starting price for each home is expected to be approximately $500,000, and construction materials will be determined by a mandatory homeowners association and building management company. There will also be some “lock and go” golf cottages and apartments for tourists to stay on the golf course.
The first entrance to this property is off Sanford Rd. An alternate entrance is planned for Helican Springs Road. As golf courses develop. We plan to install deceleration lanes at each entrance/exit.
Construction of the project was expected to take 12 to 18 months, with construction of amenities expected to take an additional six months.
Both the clubhouse and course are private spaces for members only. Members have the first right to purchase homes within the community, but the lots are open to the public for purchase. Koutu said the club will host chamber of commerce and community events and may be open to the public.
Koutu spoke about why The Rose should expand in the county, and Woodland Asset Management has identified the course as a prime terrain location that rivals golf courses in Augusta and complements Madison County. He said he envisions it as the “crown jewel” of a state. He talked about benefits such as local destinations for golfers. Creation of 30 to 60 full-time jobs and internships to operate the course and clubhouse. Supporting local businesses by bidding to local contractors. and tax revenue generation.
Following the presentation, several Hull and Sanford area residents spoke and expressed concerns about several topics including water supply, chemical spills, access to public safety, and potential school and tax burdens. said.
In response to a question about water, Koutu said the course will be supplied with water from wells and irrigation ponds and will require an average of 500,000 gallons of water per day. Runoff flows into a suitably sized pond where the water can be reused for the course. He also said the golf course will comply with all state rules and regulations regarding the use and spillage of pesticides and pesticides. He said all requirements for public safety access have also been met, including installing fire hydrants and transporting ambulances to the golf course.
In relation to the school population, Koutu said it’s difficult to predict how many school-age children there are in the area, but the targets for housing will likely be empty nesters and older golfers. He also believed that tax revenue from real estate would help offset the strain on the school system’s budget.
County leaders noted that the area’s school, Hal Sanford Elementary School, currently has about 500 students and previously had more than 700 students.
Many people questioned whether taxes would go up because of the property, and county leaders were also present to answer questions about taxes.
Chief Appraiser Robin Baker said that because there is nothing in the county to compare communities, residential communities are taxed as subdivisions, and the property values and taxes incurred do not affect homes outside the community. said. County Commissioner Todd Higdon said the county will continue to receive retail revenue from golf clubs when members purchase merchandise, which provides another source of revenue for the county to offset property taxes. He said he was deaf.
Subsequent rezoning requests from A1 to A2 and A1 to R3 were submitted to the Madison County Commission on Jan. 8.
The rezoning request was approved on a 3-2 vote, with the project’s developer agreeing to a list of provisions to alleviate concerns of residents and commissioners.
One of the key conditions promised by the developer was to reduce the total residential land (private homes and detached cottages) from 196 to 147 homes, or one home for every four acres.
The developer also agreed to abide by several infrastructure provisions. Interior streets become gated driveways maintained by the homeowners association and have public easements that allow access to public facilities. The developer also worked to improve the off-site right-of-way on Sanford Road. Or Helican Springs. Rd.
As for water use, the developer will enter into a cost-sharing agreement with the Industrial Development and Construction Authority to run a water line down Sanford Street and connect to the water line at the highway’s dead end. 106 and Sanford Road. to the county water system. The developer will pay for the on-site and on-site water line improvements, and the new line will provide water to Sanford residents who previously lacked access to county water.
Other provisions include boundaries between the site’s A2 and R3 zones, building heights that comply with county ordinances, a professionally designed photometric lighting plan to control stray light, and commercial and commercial lighting plans for the tournament. It included the use and commitment of the course by the chamber. Allowing high school golf teams to use the course for home games and related practices. Building permits are also only issued after construction of the golf course has begun. The number of units in the first phase of the residential component will not exceed 60 units.
Many people at the meeting spoke against the plan, citing concerns about the Sanford community’s small-town community feel, preservation of the rural character under the comprehensive plan, limited infrastructure capacity, and traffic near Hal Sanford Elementary School. listed.
Some supporters said they believe the pros outweigh the cons, including the opportunity for high schools to have local golf courses for practice and the potential to offset taxes. Many also noted that because the property is adjacent to a high-density area, it could serve as a “good transition point” between agricultural and retail areas. Several proponents also commented on the ability to attract businesses to the area.
Later that year, the Industrial Development and Construction Authority approved a water agreement for “The Rose,” allowing for a one-mile widening and improvement of Sanford Street. In the developer’s interest. About 100 customers in Sanford could be added to the water line.
At its September 9th meeting, the BOC approved preliminary plans for the golf course portion of “The Rose,” as recommended by the Madison County Planning and Zoning Commission.
