Shamrock Golf Course Expansion Approved, Resident Concerns Raised
The Corcoran Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit and site plan amendment for Shamrock Golf Course, allowing a new accessory building amidst residents' ongoing concerns about golf balls impacting neighboring properties.
The Corcoran Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit and site plan amendment for Shamrock Golf Course, located at 19625 Larkin Road. The decision enables the golf course to construct an accessory building that exceeds typical size limitations for properties larger than ten acres. The approval followed a public hearing where several residents voiced long-standing concerns regarding golf balls leaving the course and causing property damage to their homes and vehicles.
Dwight, a city official, outlined the specifics of the request during the meeting, clarifying the nature of the amendment before the commission.
Item 6A is the public hearing for Shamrock Golf Course. This is a site plan and conditional use permit amendment. Um the golf course is requesting approval of the site plan and conditional use permit amendment to allow the construction of an accessory building that would exceed the allowed accessory structure footprint of 3,969 square feet uh on a property that exceeds 10 acres in size.
While the focus of the permit was on the expansion of facilities, residents living adjacent to the course used the public hearing to highlight existing challenges. Kathy Schle, a homeowner whose property backs onto the golf course, shared her personal experience with property damage.
The reason that I'm here today is I'm in favor of supporting this industry, which I back up to. My only concern is that the balls that are hit off this golf course, which I knew I live on a golf course, I would get them, but I didn't know that they were going to destroy part of my house. So, I've lived on a lake, I've lived wherever. Um, so my remedy for this has been to buy an awning that rolls out and a Bing umbrella to protect the back of my home. It hasn't been totally successful at this point.
Another resident, Roger Nicholas, recounted a similar issue involving damage to his car window, expressing frustration over the lack of recourse from the golf course.
My suspicions are that there are balls being driven down the driving range to kind of get over on the south side of the number 10 fairway and people come down there and whack them over our way. And one thought that I have is could they maybe put a camera? Well, I'll back up. Uh when my car window got broken, I went over to the golf course and it was pretty soon that afternoon and I said my car window got broken. and I had pictures of it and he said, 'Do you know who did it?' And I said, 'I have no idea who did it.' He said, 'We don't have any responsibility for that.'
Jamie Cheska, representing city staff, acknowledged the residents' concerns and indicated that Shamrock Golf Course had taken feedback into account during their planning, even though no golf course representatives were present at the evening's meeting.
Unfortunately, none of the folks from Shamrock were here this evening, uh, to be able to join us. But, um, to answer the questions, the information that I have up to this point was that with this new structure, there was, as you as the last person had commented, there has been some redesign involved in the course to take the considerations uh, that have been brought up to uh, the owners at Shamrock. So as part of the design process, uh it wasn't only just the building that was taken into account. It was the direction that these balls were going.
Natalie, another city official, clarified the Planning Commission's specific role in reviewing the conditional use permit, emphasizing the scope of their authority.
The conditions for the conditional use permit um that's before you tonight should be um primarily focused around the proposed structure and the impacts of the structure. So yeah, if there um if there is a finding that this is increasing this will increase the existing problem then conditions could be added to the amendment. If we're trying to correct an existing problem that would not be recommended.
Ultimately, the Planning Commission's review was limited to the proposed structure's compliance with the city's comprehensive plan and its direct impacts. Despite the persistent issues raised by the public, the amendment for the accessory building was approved unanimously.
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Votes (2)
Shamrock Golf Course, Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Amendment
Moved by Commissioner Kazaki [00:30:13] · Seconded by Commissioner Hardre [00:30:30]
Staff presented details on the proposed 6,720 sq ft accessory building at Shamrock Golf Course, including its location, size, architectural standards, parking, and landscaping, noting compliance with zoning ordinances and CUP standards. Public speakers raised concerns about errant golf balls hitting neighboring homes and cars, requesting protective netting or cameras. The applicant's representative clarified that the new building's design factored in ball direction and that other course routing changes were underway by the owners to mitigate issues. The commission debated whether to add a condition related to existing golf ball issues or only those exacerbated by the new structure.
Civic Campus Capital Improvement Comprehensive Plan Compliance Review
Moved by Commissioner Zachman [1:05:43] · Seconded by Commissioner Hardre [1:05:58]
Staff presented the compliance review for the proposed Civic Campus (new public safety facility and city hall), asserting its consistency with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, particularly the mixed-use designation within the Town Center. Public commenters, including a City Council member speaking as a resident, questioned the city's process, the conceptual nature of some plan maps, and the deferral of natural resource considerations. They emphasized the importance of independent commission review and the opportunity to take the full 45 days for deliberation. Residents expressed concern about the project's cost, the timing relative to the upcoming 2050 Comprehensive Plan update, and the city's investment priorities (e.g., amenities vs. City Hall). Commissioners noted their own need for more comprehensive plan education and discussion before making an informed decision, leading to a motion to table the item.
Notable Quotes (11)
Item 6A is the public hearing for Shamrock Golf Course. This is a site plan and conditional use permit amendment. Um the golf course is requesting approval of the site plan and conditional use permit amendment to allow the construction of an accessory building that would exceed the allowed accessory structure footprint of 3,900 969 square ft uh on a property that exceeds 10 acres in size.
The reason that I'm here today is I'm in favor of supporting this industry, which I back up to. My only concern is that the balls that are hit off this golf course, which I knew I live on a golf course, I would get them, but I didn't know that they were going to destroy part of my house. So, I've lived on a lake, I've lived wherever. Um, so my remedy for this has been to buy an awning that rolls out and a Bing umbrella to protect the back of my home. It hasn't been totally successful at this point.
My suspicions are that there are balls being driven down the driving range to kind of get over on the south side of the number 10 fairway and people come down there and whack them over our way. And one thought that I have is could they maybe put a camera? Well, I'll back up. Uh when my car window got broken, I went over to the golf course and it was pretty soon that afternoon and I said my car window got broken. and I had pictures of it and he said, 'Do you know who did it?' And I said, 'I have no idea who did it.' He said, 'We don't have any responsibility for that.'
So, uh, unfortunately, none of the folks from Shamrock were here this evening, uh, to be able to join us. But, um, to answer the questions, the information that I have up to this point was that with this new structure, there was, as you as the last person had commented, there has been some redesign involved in the course to take the considerations uh, that have been brought up to uh, the owners at Shamrock. So as part of the design process, uh it wasn't only just the building that was taken into account. It was the direction that these balls were going.
the conditions for the conditional use permit um that's before you tonight should be um primarily focused around the proposed structure and the impacts of the structure. So yeah, if there um if there is a finding that this is increasing this will increase the existing problem then conditions could be added to the amendment. If we're trying to correct an existing problem that would not be recommended.
The planning commission is to review the proposed capital improvement and provide written findings as to whether the improvement is in accordance with the comprehensive plan. So uh that is that is the scope that is in front of you tonight. The planning commission is not being asked to make a recommendation on the bonding itself or at being asked to complete a site plan review at this time. So this is simply um in the parameters of our comprehensive plan. Does this is this consistent?
The statute asks whether this project is consistent with our comprehensive plan, not one map within the plan, as the report may have you think, the plan as a whole. First, the findings you've been handed rest almost entirely on the future land use map and the town center vision. Those are real. And the land use case may well be sound. But our comprehensive plan is also a natural resources plan, an open space plan, and a set of district plans. And consistency means consistency with all of them.
You do not have to decide this tonight. The statute gives you up to 45 days from the council's referral to report back. That runs into late September. Within that time, you can de deliberate, ask for full comprehensive plan materials. You can take public testimony and you can put your own questions to staff. If anyone suggests to you that there just isn't time, the statute itself answers that. It gives you by law that time.
Before we pri prioritize what city staff will use every day, let's ask what our residents and families still need every day. Parks, restaurants, businesses, amenities, infrastructure, and places to gather. Let's build a community people don't have to leave in order to enjoy. And that brings me right back to the comprehensive plan. Population growth, business growth, employment growth, community preferences, development, parks, public facilities, quality of life. Those aren't separate issues from comprehensive planning. That is comprehensive planning.
And so the density requirement for that that general mixed use is the highest density when it comes to residential. I understand that it also includes commercial and other other types of buildings. But when we talk about three and 67 acres being this big campus of uh a government building, then that that impacts or already diminishes the uh residential capacity for that overall general mixeduse area.
I will say that's how I feel being especially the newest member, the newest commissioner. Um, and I know that I respect that it's been in progress since 2022, but it is also as newer coming into it that it's we're just getting going to be starting the 2050 planning and if we're going to be out of the population capacity in a few years that we were initially planning for 2040. It it does make me wonder if we should be just I I'm not sure if it's in the scope of our ability of I guess for me I just want more information because the 2050 plan is on the horizon and I want to understand how this fits into it.
Ordinances & Resolutions (18)
The current meeting where the agenda and minutes were approved.
Previous meeting whose minutes were approved.
Request for Shamrock Golf Course to allow an accessory building exceeding size limits.
Request for Shamrock Golf Course to allow an accessory building exceeding size limits.
Guides the Shamrock Golf Course parcel as mixed residential and low-density residential, and the civic campus site as mixed use.
Shamrock Golf Course parcel located within Stage Two.
Governs accessory structure setbacks and height limits for Shamrock Golf Course parcel.
Outlines conditional use permit standards.
Metal siding and roofing materials must comply with this code for certificate of compliance.
Required for approval of metal siding and roofing materials.
Guiding document for the city's future development, central to the Civic Campus compliance review.
Requires planning commission review of capital improvements for comprehensive plan compliance.
Identifies construction of a new civic campus.
Conceptual plan for the area including the proposed civic campus, depicting it as parks and open space.
Identified in the comprehensive plan to implement mixed-use land designation, allowing civic buildings.
Specifically lists civic buildings as permitted use in Downtown Mixed Use district.
Identifies the proposed civic campus area as a high-quality natural community, though noted as outdated.
Future comprehensive plan currently being discussed for updates, including new climate change requirements.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Civic Campus Capital Improvement Comprehensive Plan Compliance Review
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