A sign that reads “Course Closed” stands Monday at the site of the old Razorback Golf Course in west Fayetteville.

Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

City Council members this week will begin formal discussions on what to do about the old Razorback Golf Course in west Fayetteville.

News of a possible redevelopment of the land surfaced last summer after a company registered to Jim Lindsey of Lindsey Management Co. purchased the property just west of Interstate 49 along Deane Solomon Road. At the time, preliminary drawings showed a couple dozen single-family lots and several apartment buildings planned across the property.

While the details have changed, Lindsey still hopes to transform the 129-acre course into a mix of homes and apartments, along with some green space and room for a few small shops.

» Enlarge rezoning graphic

Rezoning Request

Neighborhood Conservation (49 acres) – Allows 10 single-family homes per acre
Residential Agricultural (42 acres) – Green space that could become a park
Residential Multi-Family 24 (20 acres) – Allows 24 apartment units per acre
Neighborhood Services (17 acres) – Allows a mix of small commercial uses or residential dwellings
» Download entire rezoning packet (10MB)

Source: City of Fayetteville

The proposal heads to aldermen after months of back-and-forth between Lindsey, members the Fayetteville Planning Commission, and area residents.

Planning Commissioners last month approved Lindsey’s plan for a neighborhood, commercial shops, and 42 acres of green space, but the commission recommended denial of the company’s request to rezone the land’s southern edge for an apartment complex that would allow up to 480 units.

The land’s neighbors have opposed the project from the beginning, citing concerns with a number of issues including traffic safety, drainage, use compatibility, and overall quality of life. While some neighbors have expressed concern over any development of the land, the opposition has recently focused its efforts on stopping the planned apartment complex.

A website called Citizens for Responsible Development was recently launched as part of a consolidated effort to convince aldermen to deny Lindsey’s proposal.

“As residents of west Fayetteville, we are not opposed to Lindsey Management Company or development of the golf course land,” reads a statement on the website. “However, we live here and understand the unique balance that must be kept to maintain harmony in this area.”

According to the site, the citizens’ main concern with the project is the lack of infrastructure in place to support the additional proposed capacity of residents to the area.

With Deane Solomon being the only proposed entrance and exit for the new development, neighbors argue the already overused road will become even more congested and dangerous if a large apartment complex is built.

Neighbors also said that because the golf course and many of the adjacent properties are at the lowest point in the Wilson Springs Preserve and Clabber Creek drainage basin, further development of the land will only increase the chances of flooding in an area that already has significant drainage issues.

While some Planning Commissioners have argued that the developers would likely be required to improve the area’s infrastructure before design plans could move forward, the neighbors remain unconvinced.

“Even with an expansion to 4 lanes, this road will still fall short of capacity,” the website states. “Our only safe option is to be responsible with the type of zoning and development we approve for this area. The current zoning proposal is not responsible.”

The City Council will take up the question at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 in room 219 of Fayetteville City Hall.