By Caroline An Staff Writer
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
DIAMOND BAR - The city has been discussing developing the Diamond Bar Golf Course for nearly two decades, but the current City Council has gotten closer to hitting the ball off the tee than ever before.
The fate of the golf course, built in 1964 by Los Angeles County and one of the few affordable golf courses in the San Gabriel Valley, has residents concerned, particularly those who live near the 18-hole course, located off the 57 and 60 freeways.
"We have to address the issue because we have the land and also transportation issues at hand," said David Doyle, assistant city manager.
The city is in escrow to buy 170 acres of privately-owned land and 100 acres from Industry, where a new golf course could be built.
Plans for the new golf course, which includes portions of the proposed Aera Energy project, have been shared with Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe's office, wildlife and community organizations.
Knabe has no opinion on the golf course, said David Sommers, his spokesman.
"The only position he has is that we need to maintain affordable public golf," he said.
The new golf course would include some land in the 1,940-acre Aera Energy Project. The property borders Rowland Heights, Brea, La Habra and La Habra Heights.
The city is also considering an undeveloped property between Chino Hills and Diamond Bar, known as the "Tres Hermanos" area, as a potential golf course site.
The flurry of activity is due in part to potential improvements to the 57 and 60 freeways, which include building additional entry and exit ramps on Grand Avenue.
Mayor Steve Tye said these changes, if they occur, could "negatively impact" the current site of the golf course - located just off the chronically-congested freeway interchange.
"Some of the improvements would require reconfiguring the third and eighth holes," Tye said.
Residents have reacted strongly to possible development of the current course. Tye said he understands their often emotional reaction.
"They are looking at the course as an oasis in an urban jungle," he said.
At a council meeting this week, residents criticized the proposal to convert the golf course to commercial. The council postponed the environmental study that would look at development on the current golf course and the sites the city is considering building a new golf course.
Many in attendance said traffic was already bad on Grand Avenue - one of the city's major streets - and that building more retail on the busy intersection would exacerbate the problem.
"All this would do is compound the problem," said David Demers. "It would be a shame to do anything without resolving the ones we already have."
City officials said athletic fields or a new park are also being considered along with retail.
caroline.an@sgvn.com
(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2108
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment