The area of rezoning primarily consists of the Chapel Ridge Golf Course and was rezoned from agricultural to single-family residential use, as well as office and retail. The golf course would no longer be a component of the land use if the redevelopment project comes to fruition.

The application originally also included a proposal to rezone a portion of the land to use for multi-family housing. However, after several councilmembers raised concern regarding the multi-family use, the applicant withdrew that portion of the application to move forward with the remaining rezoning applications.

Councilmember Christine Bushyhead voted against approving the rezoning saying there was not enough information presented about infrastructure improvements and funding mechanisms in place for road and highway improvements.

Golf America, the applicant wanting to redevelop the 142-acre golf course, proposes converting the area north and south of Woods Chapel Road and west of Ralph Powell Road. The proposed subdivision would consist of three components, including single-family homes, apartments and office/retail space, according to city information. There would be no golf course as part of the redevelopment.

The applicant proposes the area north of Woods Chapel Road would be mainly single-family residences and one lot for retail space. Three types of single-family units would be placed within that area.

Some councilmembers were concerned about the Strother Road interchange tax increment financing and transportation development district funding mechanisms for road improvements already in place.

According to a presentation from Dick King, attorney for the developer, the TIF/TDD agreements as they stand would not provide adequate funding for road improvements and lane additions along I-470. The estimated shortfall is approximately $12 million, he said.

'Why didn't we (the council) know about this $12 million shortfall?' Bushyhead asked of the city.

Chuck Owsley, public works director, said the previous estimate on the Strother Road interchange was for a much simpler interchange design. The additional developments that would be in place with the proposed redevelopment of the golf course would call for more sophisticated designs.

However, Owsley said the final cost has yet to be determined and the number offered during the hearing were 'rough estimates.'

'These are rough numbers,' Owsley said. 'We won't actually know (the cost) until we really evaluate it.'

The council also raised concerns regarding the sewer capacity in the area for redevelopment.

City staff told the council the capacity would sustain the redevelopment growth in phases, but at full build-out would not be adequate to handle the entire development's sewer needs. However, with each development phase brought back for approval, the city would reevaluate the capacity and move forward with upgrades as needed.

According to city staff, the applicant already agreed to participating in a portion of the cost for sewer upgrades.

Additional concerns were raised by the council regarding the land use for multi-family housing. However, as that portion of the application was withdrawn during the public hearing, and further comments on that matter were postponed until it is brought back in a separate hearing.