The council on Tuesday night held off approving more than $450,000 for an environmental study until its next meeting to get more citizen input on the idea.
Since the early 1990s, the city has eyed the Los Angeles County-owned course, along the 60 and 57 freeways, as a site for more retail and a city park, fulfilling residents' requests for more recreation space, said Mayor Steve Tye.
The city's fiscal year goals include producing a plan to turn the course into a center that would include a movie theater, restaurants and stores.
City officials said at Tuesday's meeting that a final decision about the golf course's future has not been made.
But residents said spending more than $450,000 for an environmental study makes it appear that the city had already decided on the development.
"It is a lot of money when no decision is made," said Martin Pastucha.
Allen Wilson, who lives near the golf course, was open to development but urged the city to look at improving existing shopping centers.
"My quality of life is more important than retail," Wilson said.
Other residents, including Lori Pastucha, were concerned about the city's attempts at community outreach and questioned why a decision on creating a study was necessary Tuesday, when a community forum was scheduled for the weekend.
Council members agreed that delaying a decision until a May 1 meeting would give the public a chance "to weigh in," Tye said.
"I encourage people to come forward," he said. "I want to put to bed the contention that the deal is done."
Councilman Wen Chang said he understands residents' concerns but that the council has to look "at the interests of the 60,000 people in Diamond Bar."
Having the city taking more of an active role instead of a developer "who will take the benefits in their pocket and go" will benefit residents for generations to come, Chang said.
Providing more retail is a priority, city officials have said.
After a year that saw the completion of the Target center - the city's largest commercial development in more than a decade - and the approval of a new Kaiser Permanente medical facility, Tye said in his state of the city address that the council "remains committed to securing additional commercial development that meshes with our community's values."
The 6,801-yard, par-72 course, which attracts players from throughout the area, has been open since 1964 and is operated for the county by American Golf Corp. The facility also includes a large banquet facility.
A golf course could still be located in the city, Tye said, with possible locations including the proposed Aera Energy project or in an undeveloped area between Chino Hills and Diamond Bar.
Staff writer Caroline An can be reached by e-mail at caroline.an@sgvn.com or by calling (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2108.
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