Countryside Golf Course - The Top FIVE

According to the Roanoke Times - Countryside Golf Course course was chosen "among the five best courses in Timesland anyone can play." Read the Sports article below posted with the permission of The Roanoke Times - I especially like the first sentence:

.

"Check this out, Roanoke City bigwigs. According to the voters here, this golf course should stay put and not be buried under some sort of development project. While the city-owned course hasn’t had enough money to keep it in A-1 condition for years, there’s little argument that Countryside has one of the best layouts in the area. It was good enough to play host to a VPGA Open in 1981, won by Bobby Wadkins. Designed by Ellis Maples, the course’s five par 3s from the tips may be second to none as a group in this area in degree of difficulty."

12th Green

Ellis Maples created a gem of a routing here, with several of the area’s best holes. In fact, [Nos.] 16, 9, and 12 may be the best par 3, 4, and 5 in Roanoke.” — Wade Whitehead, former Patrick Henry High golf coach

Roanoke Times Countryside Article

An unexpected article appeared on the back page of the Sports section today. There is reason for optimism for at least 5 years. CLICK HERE to take the link to the Roanoke Times Article.

This is my shot of the 10th tee.

Countryside Women Win Team Championship

Countryside placed 5 women golfers in the top 10 in the Roanoke Valley Women's Golf Association City-County championship. Congratulations to Becky Bondurant who tied for second place overall and Sara Cole who came in third along with Marilyn Bussey, MarC Milona, and Kit Davis. They received the McCorkindale team trophy. These Countryside women also hold the HOF team (Hall Of Fame) title.

.

These ladies are the pride of Countryside Golf Club and have been so for years. They don't get enough "kudos" so let them know we are proud of them. Marilyn and Becky can be found at the Countryside clubhouse most days.

Irrigating the 12th fairway

On another note - how about the new manager - Todd has made substantial improvements to the golf course. Let him know the next time you are up at the clubhouse. When you talk to him it does not take long to realize he really cares about the golf course. Todd has worked hard in his short amount of time here to improve the maintenance and IT SHOWS!

Roanoke City Council Meeting and Briefing Today

First I'd like to correct the date the expiration of the City's lease on the airport owned land that serves as the RPZ (Runway Protection Zone) at runway 6. I pulled my copy of the lease and it is November 14th, 2008, not October 31st. October 31st is when the one year lease with the operators of Countryside Golf Course will end. Another detail is that the amount the airport receives from the City is exactly $4,731 per Jesse Hall, previous Director of Finance, email, dated January 10, 2006.

.

I was so glad Al Steele was able to make the meetings as this lends an extra pair of ears in case I missed anything. We both surmised how much more informative the briefings are compared to the Council meeting where votes are taken.

.

I mentioned the 40 year lease ending during the 2:00 PM public comments prior to the briefing as I was fairly sure that new Council members and possibly other Council members may not know or remember. This I related to the airport desiring the land swap which I have covered ad nauseum previously.

.

The other topics were the intersection of Valley View Blvd., Thirlane, and entrance to the airport which every citizen and deplaning visitor to Roanoke knows it to be a confusing mess. However, the City has a plan that was detailed at the briefing. The City would like to move forward with it at a cost of $2 million and hopes of some cost sharing and land from the Airport Commission. It seems the Airport Commission has other ideas so it was indicated that if the Airport Commission does not get off their duff that the City will proceed on its own.... good!

.

The other topic was the Valley View exchange and Hershberger exchange. This was a very complicated subject that I won't try to get into here but suffice it to say with VDOT involved, transportation funding staled, and $69 million allocated (which is not enough for both) it is a tangled web ... come to think of it all three topics are a puzzle with each piece dependent on another. If this briefing and other briefings were televised it would give citizens a chance to see what the Council and yes, even the administration is up against.

.

Now back to Countryside lease and land swap - an important date to discuss the land swap with the Airport Commission will be at their joint meeting scheduled for September 2nd. I don't think the lease will be discussed at that time or at least no decision would be made at the September meeting. This is dependent on the Council briefing (and their direction) on Countryside Golf Course to take place on August 4th (at about 10:00 AM in EOC basement). The results of that briefing and subsequent Council meeting will enable City Administration to formally ask for an extension of the 40 year lease for a period of 5 years. At the briefing, Ms. Burcham stated that the Airport Commission would only consider a maximum extension for 5 years. This length of time is what I anticipate a lease with Meadowbrook will be.

.

A point Ms. Burcham made regarding a RFP for any new operators of the golf course would absolutely require a multi-year lease. If Meadowbrook did not get the lease extended they would take their equipment (which is substantial), personnel, and any other marbles and go home. Another operator then would incur substantial investment cost to bring in THEIR equipment, hire personnel, etc., making only a long term lease financially feasible for a new operator.

.

Councilman Court Rosen remembered my suggestion that he get the feasibility study performed back in 2002-2003 to review before the August 4th Countryside briefing. All members of Council asked to get a copy. You remember, the one performed by The Lawrence Group (one page posted below). Hopefully, this will include the detailed drawings of the various options that were supplied as well. I still have them minus a couple that were taken by someone at one of our meetings.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

.

At this point the September 2nd joint meeting with the Airport Commission as well as the briefing on the morning of August 4th are very important.

Roanoke City Has Bargaining Chip

Roanoke Regional Airport wants to swap Countryside Golf Course land to widen runway 6 clear zone - Roanoke City should use the expiring 40 year lease on this clear zone as a bargaining chip.

.

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE AT LEFT

.

On Monday a briefing will be held regarding the widening of the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). This same RPZ has been leased to the various owners over the past 40 years for many of Countryside Golf Course fairways. Now the city is the owner of Countryside Golf Course and pays the Airport Commission about $4100 a year to lease the land owned by the Airport. The FAA, by the way, encourages leasing airport property for additional airport funding. Of course the land use must conform to FAA regulations. A golf course is specifically mentioned as an acceptable use of a RPZ.

.

The 40 year lease with the Roanoke Airport ends October 31, 2008. It must be extended for continued operation of the golf course. Though as my previous posts and past media coverage indicated that the Director of the Airport was going to recommend NOT renewing the lease to the Airport Commission back in 2005. At that time Meadowbrook owned the golf course.

.

Now that the plan to develop the property has been snuffed out with the housing boom bust it becomes imperative that the lease not expire.

.

This is an easy "tit for tat" on the part of Roanoke City Council and Administration - give us another 40 year lease extension and we will swap the land with you. ... too easy!

Planning Commission Rezones Countryside Acre Today

I just returned from the Planning Commission meeting that was held today to rezone the acre for the TRANE expansion at the 2nd and 3rd fairway to light industrial from Recreational Open Space (ROS). It was a unanimous vote. I spoke concerning the proffers being removed. Most had already been considered in the city wide zoning restructure back in 2005. The General Assembly has disallowed a time frame attachment as a proffer to begin construction so that proffer is now illegal. For example, the previous proffer (condition) stated that they must begin construction in 3 years or the property would revert back to the owner as previously zoned.

.

Using like material for the TRANE expansion was addressed before I spoke.

.

My concern about the proffers regarding outside signage, outside storage, and usage of the building were explained that these conditions were now included in the new zoning structure for light industrial. The Newbern, LLC, representative from Craighead and Associates advised that the trees planted adjacent to the 2nd fairway would not be disturbed but if they were damaged during construction they would be replaced. Landscaping in front where the new building addition will primarily be built will have new landscaping. I presented color prints of pictures of the TRANE building both from GIS and the front of the building. You have seen them posted here previously.

.

Of course I did not expect the rezoning to be rejected by the Planning Commission. When you look at it this way - Roanoke City owns it - City Council voted to sell it - City Council appoints the Planning Commission members - Meadowbrook nor any golfer objected ... so best I can say is that my presence or lack thereof made no difference as I expected. However, it was more of a "feel good" and "we listened to you" and "we addressed" the impact on golf play and course aesthetics.

.

Don't get me wrong I was listened to intently and treated with respect and each item was addressed. It was just my feeling of futility that elicits some frustration on my part.

.

Guess who I ran into on my way out of Council Chambers? Bev Fitzpatrick and we rode the elevator together. He asked what was going on and I told him why I was there - to insure the proffers were maintained. Bev then said with some discontent - "proffers" and that "that he had never seen any proffers attached to a rezoning adhered to or enforced". That sure instilled and even greater sense of futility at this public hearing. Another note worth mentioning - the Planning Commission holds workshops where all "Requests For Comments" are discussed and by the time the public hearing comes around they have more than likely decided their vote unless they have a few questions.

.

On the lighter side, I finally got my peaches on the Market along with some ripe tomatoes. I also went to the store and bought some Snickers Ice Cream and chocolate syrup. Ahhhh.... nothing like food to feed futility depression!

Roanoke City To Swap Countryside Land for Airport Land

RED line is widened RPZ - PINK land is to be swapped - The dotted BLACK outline is current airport-owned property. CLICK TO ENLARGE map and letter below.

We have known this for a long time and wondered when it was actually going to occur. At the July 21st City Council briefing or workshop the city-owned Countryside land to be swapped with Roanoke Regional Airport will be discussed. This is a widening of the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) for Runway 6. It will be swapped for land mostly at Lewiston and Ranch. This vacant airport-owned land once had homes on it. These homes were demolished and owners compensated with Federal Funds in the 1980's when the airport was expanded. The PINK land will probably be slated for homes AGAIN. Maybe the previous homeowners would like to have first crack at one of these homes in the noise contour. We all know it should be something other than homes so let us hope there is "reason" out there.
.

When the RPZ is widened it will encompass at least two homes on Cheraw Lake. If I were these property owners I would be concerned with my property value. I'm just guessing that a home in a RPZ would be hard to sell. However, the Director of ROA did say they would be willing buyers if ever they decided to sell - yes, but for how much?

.

Did you notice the verbiage of the letter from Ms. Shuck, Director of ROA, that read - "Realizing that the golf course was interested in maintaining the lease and would most likely come to terms with us if purchase were necessary". This contradicts previous communications to the public that the 40 year lease with the owners, Meadowbrook, would terminate and not be renewed for safety reasons. CLICK HERE FOR THAT LETTER.

.

Do you see why there is so much distrust? This is just a smidgen.

Council Briefing On Countryside Scheduled For August 4th

At the first Roanoke City Council Meeting Monday with new members of Council, Mayor Bowers directed an inquiry to the City Manager as to the status of the Countryside property. The inquiry led to disclosure of a briefing to Council scheduled for August 4th at about 10:00 AM following a meeting with the Roanoke City School Board at 9:00 AM at Addison. It will be held in the EOC room (basement) in the Municipal Building and is open to the public. Ms. Burcham advised that it will be about an hour and one half as many aspects along with immediate action issues need to be conveyed. Not the least of which is the continuation of golf course operations by "somebody" or to continue with Meadowbrook the current operators. The lease with Meadowbrook ends November 1st. Also, the 40 year lease of the Airport owned property (clear zone) where fairways reside terminates at the end of October. The Airport Authority will need to allow for continuation of the lease. If you recall the Director of the Airport informed the previous owners of Countryside (Meadowbrook who now operates it) that the Airport Commission would NOT renew the 40 year lease. At that time non renewal of the lease was used to pressure the sale of the golf course to the city. I would wager that the lease with the CITY will be renewed by the the Airport Commission.

.

Anyone interested in observing the briefing can attend on August 4th. Also visit Councilman Dave Trinkle's blog and his post concerning Countryside. I had a hard time following his thoughts so let us help him understand the "vision".

July 4th Fireworks Video/Music

Friday evening I enjoyed great company at a friends house on 6th Street, Southeast. We gathered for food and beverage and to watch the fireworks from my friend's deck. The anticipation built, the children got "antsy" and so did I. This was going to be my first attempt at taking pictures of fireworks and I was at the ready. The neighborhood fireworks had us jumping to the deck only to be greeted with a "false start". Then it happened low into the trees at first - then soring higher. I snapped pictures fast and furious. Captured here are the best of who knows how many shots I took - I lost count. This was not as easy as I had thought especially with no tripod. So TURN YOUR SPEAKERS ON for "Stars and Stripes" music accompaniment.

Open House With Mayor Bowers

Valerie and Mayor Bowers

Open house in the Mayor's office today. Everyone visiting was treated to a seat in the Mayor's chair and a picture with the Mayor Bowers. By noon there had been at least 50 people. I arrived about that time and took over taking pictures with my camera for secretary, Joyce Johnson.