Although company representatives are uncertain about the timing, AAC Acquisitions is planning to request a rezoning of 90 acres of the Pine Knob Golf Course (the back nine holes) from recreational to multiple family ? and they plan to take the matter all the way to court if necessary.
According to Mario D’Agostini, a representative with AAC Acquisitions and the Pine Knob Enclaves, the back nine holes were rezoned from multiple family to recreational in the late 1990s. Currently, scenic easements cover portions of the 90 acres in question.
Earlier this year, the company requested to construct 150 detached condominiums on the back nine holes, including the driving range. Representatives with AAC Acquisitions estimated the proposed detached condo units would have cost around $500,000 each.
In order to move forward with building the condominiums, AAC Acquisitions requested for township trustees to shift the scenic easements.
Township trustees did not decide on the matter, and turned AAC Acquisition’s proposal over to the planning commission, who voted in early October to not hear the company’s site plan.
‘We are unsure when we will file the rezoning request with the planning commission,? said D’Agostini, ‘but we will take this rezoning request through to litigation if necessary.?
D’Agostini stated that if all attempts at the rezoning fail, then the company will fall back to considering recreational uses for the property, such as ball fields. He also added that the original plan for the condominiums is still a possibility.
In addition to the rezoning request, D’Agostini said AAC Acquisitions is working on a plan for apartments on approximately 25 acres of the property.
‘We are moving forward with our apartment proposal,? said D’Agostini. ‘We are working on the preliminary site plans now, but we don’t know when things will be complete.?
D’Agostini confirmed that AAC Acquisitions is looking at a site plan that includes 114 upscale apartments; however, he corrected previous statements regarding the current tree removal.
‘We are not land balancing because you need permits to do that,? said D’Agostini. ‘We are moving the trees because we can.
‘The residents need to know that if we choose to remove trees, we may,? said D’Agostini.
D’Agostini declined to comment when asked if further tree removal will be done.
‘It’s terrible that we have to play all these games,? said Nino Catenacci, owner of Pine Knob Golf Course. ‘I want what’s best for the area and for Pine Knob. I’m going to be there and my family is going to be there.
‘We want everyone to look back and see something good for Pine Knob.?
Independence Township Supervisor Dave Wagner confirmed he met with Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen, Township Planner Dick Carlisle and Building Director David Belcher on Nov. 9 to review all documents submitted by AAC Acquisitions to date.
Wagner said the township officials reviewed the request to shift the scenic easements and materials regarding the proposal to construct apartments.
‘There are still documents we’re waiting to receive,? said Wagner. ‘We hope to bring them before the board at the first meeting in December, but nothing is set. We need the additional materials.?
Wagner said he hopes the board will be able to make a decision in regards to the golf course at this time.