A fight between homeowners and a group of developers over plans to chop off a chunk of Idaho’s second-oldest golf course for 134 town houses has ratcheted up a notch.
Homeowners near The River Club golf course in Garden City have long objected to plans to redevelop the property next to State Street, including when the city previously approved a plan to build up to 750 homes and town houses there.
In February, Meridian’s Brighton Corp. and the Texas-based owner, Lincoln Property Co., filed a new application to instead build 134 three-story town houses, with commercial buildings along State Street and spots for shopping and dining between them.
The River Club golf course has been a popular destination for golfers along State Street, though it may look different in the future with plans to redevelop part of it into town houses.
A few months before that application was filed, homeowners sued the owners of the golf course over redevelopment plans. They said the owners had made certain promises to them over how they could use the golf course land — and that redeveloping it violated those promises, a claim the owners have denied.
The Idaho Statesman could not immediately reach Lincoln Property Co. for comment.
“Does the 1978 Plantation Master Declaration apply to the golf course property and restrict development?” according to a news release the homeowners group emailed Tuesday. In 1978, the golf course was known as the Plantation Country Club. “A growing coalition of homeowners and open space advocates say yes — and that the covenant was intended to preserve the golf course in perpetuity.”
The planned development along State Street include three subdistricts, with construction starting first on the eastern portion where Meridian’s Brighton Corp. and Texas-based Lincoln Property Co. plan to build 134 town houses.
Santa Barbara, California, developer Will Gustafson and his company, Glass Creek LLC, bought the club in 2018. He then sold it to Lincoln Property Co. in 2022, though he continues to run the course. According to records maintained by the Ada County Assessor’s Officethe property is owned by LB River Club LLC, which is registered with a Texas address.
“What’s at stake here is more than just a legal technicality — it’s the potential loss of one of the last urban open spaces in Garden City,” said longtime resident and plaintiff John Livingston in the news release. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.”
The River Club golf course, previously known as the Plantation Country Club, is the second oldest golf course in the state. Nearby homeowners have opposed a plan that would cut off a chunk of the course to build town houses.
On June 14, an Ada County Judge Jonathan Medema denied a motion from The River Club’s owners to dismiss the case. The judge found that the homeowners had sufficient standing to bring the case.
The homeowners allege that the owners and their legal team are “deliberately stalling the court process while attempting to fast-track approval” for the project, according to the release.
The Garden City Planning and Zoning Commission was to review the project during a June 18 public hearing, but postponed it because of technical problems until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, at Garden City’s City Hall at 6015 Glenwood St.
“This rescheduling is just one more example of a flawed process that lacks transparency and appears to favor outside developers over local voices,” according to the release. “The vast majority of public comments submitted to the city oppose the town house proposal.”
Mark Johnson, a communications liaison, and Trever Nicoll, at right, describe the redevelopment plan in 2023.
These comments include concerns that the development doesn’t fit the character of the surrounding neighborhood, could cause increased traffic and strain on infrastructure, and lead to the loss of tree canopy and wildlife habitat.
“Residents are urging city officials to delay any decision on the proposed development until the court has ruled on the validity and applicability of the master declaration,” according to the release. “They argue that proceeding before the legal matter is resolved would be irresponsible and potentially unlawful.”
According to a slideshow submitted to the city of Garden City, the city could move forward with approving the development under Idaho code despite the lawsuit, though the Planning and Zoning Commission could defer it if a court ruling affects city standards.
The city of Garden City did not immediately return a call requesting comment.
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