And Mayor Staton's response. . .

I sent an email to Flat Rock Mayor Bob Staton several days ago about the soccer complex situation. Today, I received an extensive, and I found very helpful, reply (all boldface text is my emphasis and I have added one link):

Anne:

The proposed use of the Highland Lake golf course property would not require any change in zoning. The village's zoning regulations are set out in the Land Development Ordinance. The property is zoned R-20, low density residential. Parks, including those with recreational fields (ball fields), are permitted in the R-20 district as a "conditional use," as now provided in the ordinance. Conditional use applications are considered by the board of adjustment. However, a proposed amendment to the ordinance would change parks from a conditional use to a "special use." Special use applications are considered by the council. Regardless of whether the proposed use is conditional or special, the findings that must be made by the body considering the permit application are the same.

The application process for any such use is a three, four or more month process from submittal to permit issuance. It is true that the village has not received an application for a permit for a park at the Highland Lake golf course property. However, that is not to say that we have no idea of what the proposed use would involve. The conceptual plans and the draft business plan we have seen contemplate a multiuse park with a nine field soccer complex. Over the four weeks since the board of commissioners committed to exercise their option to purchase the property for that intended use, we have heard from literally hundreds of people on the pros and cons of the project. We have heard the concerns of the golf course neighbors, as well as those of other residents from all over Flat Rock, and we have seen many e-mails discussing the same. We are well aware of those concerns. We are also well aware of the requirements of the ordinance as to findings that must be made before a permit may be granted. With that knowledge, and before the receipt of a completed application for a conditional or special use permit, the council may be in a position to determine that (a) the proposed project is something that would satisfy the technical requirements of the ordinance and would eventually be permitted; or (b) the proposed project could likely never satisfy those requirements under any circumstances, and a permit for the use would be denied.

The Flat Rock Village Council has been asked by the county and other players to take action on the proposed park/soccer complex and either endorse the concept or reject it. If the council endorses the concept, the county and Course Doctors will proceed to a closing on the purchase and sale transaction, and the county and the soccer association will move forward with plans, specifications and other documentation required by the ordinance for a use permit. If the council rejects the concept, the county will abort the project and will not acquire the property. In the latter case, the owners of the property will move on with plans for some other use or disposition of the property.

In the best interests of all concerned, the council should endorse or reject the proposed project concept sooner than later. It would not be fair to anyone to drag that action out over the length of time required to document and process a use permit application. The purpose of our convening an advisory committee is to assist the council in reaching a conclusion on the matter. As we have represented to the community, we have assembled a committee comprised of interested residents from around the village, residents who have taken positions on both sides of the issue, as well as some residents whose positions we have not heard. We hope that the size of the group, 15 to 20, will permit everyone to speak his mind on the issue, and that all will listen respectfully to the positions and opinions of others. We are not so naive as to think that all will emerge from the meeting with one mind on the issue. We are hopeful that the views expressed at such committee meeting, or meetings if more than one, will be helpful to the council in reaching the decision it must make.

I understand that you plan to attend the Monday meeting of the committee. I am glad that you will be a participant in the process, and I thank you for that.

Bob Staton