§ 134-270. Golf courses.

Standards and requirements for golf courses are as follows:

(1)

Definitions.

a.

Ancillary sales means the sale of food, beverages, sports apparel and accessories, and those items traditionally sold within a pro shop or clubhouse.

b.

Clubhouse means a structure providing ancillary uses and sales. Such structure shall be in proportion to the overall golf facilities.

c.

Driving range (outdoor) means a tract of land as an accessory use dedicated to driving of golf balls off tees into a designated landing area. See section 134-209, pertaining to recreational driving ranges, for regulations except where the driving range is internal to the golf course. An additional five acres, above and beyond the required acreage for the golf course, shall be required where the driving range is internal to the golf course. Buffering, netting and setbacks shall not be required when the range is internal.

d.

Executive golf course means a tract of land not less than 65 acres in size dedicated for playing an 18-hole game of golf, which is open to the general public or for private club use. The par shall not be less than 58 from the men's tees as governed by the United States Golf Association. Further, the golf course shall not measure less than 4,000 yards from the men's tees as governed by the United States Golf Association.

e.

Par 3 golf course means a tract of land not less than 40 acres in size dedicated for playing an 18-hole game of golf, which is open to the general public or for private club use. The par shall not be less than 27 for nine holes or 54 for 18 holes from the men's tees as governed by the United States Golf Association. Further, the golf course shall not measure less than 1,750 or greater than 3,500 yards, respectively.

f.

Private golf course means a tract of land not less than 115 acres in size dedicated for playing the game of golf, which is open to the private club's membership and their guests and for special events. The par shall not be less than 68 from the men's tees as governed by the United States Golf Association. Further, the golf course shall not measure less than 5,500 yards from the men's tees as governed by the United States Golf Association.

g.

Pro shop means an ancillary structure or area provided for sale or supply of equipment associated with the primary permitted or accessory use.

h.

Public golf course and semipublic golf course mean a tract of land not less than 125 acres in size dedicated for playing an 18-hole game of golf, which is open to the general public for play. The par shall not be less than 70 from the men's tees as governed by the United States Golf Association. Further, the golf course shall not measure less than 6,000 yards from the men's tees as governed by the United States Golf Association.

i.

Regulation public nine-hole course means a tract of land not less than 65 acres in size dedicated for playing a nine-hole game of golf, which is open to the general public. The par shall not be less than 34 from the men's tees as governed by the United States Golf Association. Further, the golf course shall not measure less than 3,000 yards from the men's tees as governed by the United States Golf Association.

(2)

Standards.

a.

Par 3 golf course. The following standards shall apply to par 3 golf courses:

1.

Minimum lot size: Nine holes, 20 acres; 18 holes, 40 acres.

2.

Minimum course yardage: Nine holes, 1,750 yards; 18 holes, 3,500 yards.

3.

Minimum public road frontage: 100 feet.

4.

Minimum building, driving range, fairway, clubhouse and pro shop setbacks: 50 feet from future public road right-of-way; 75 feet from property lines.

b.

Public golf course or semipublic golf course. The following standards shall apply to public golf courses and semipublic golf courses:

1.

Minimum lot size: 125 acres.

2.

Minimum course yardage: 6,000 yards.

3.

Minimum public road frontage: 100 feet.

4.

Minimum building, driving range, fairway, clubhouse, pro shop and hole setbacks: 50 feet from future public road right-of-way; 75 feet from property lines.

c.

Private golf course. The following standards shall apply to private golf courses:

1.

Minimum lot size: 115 acres.

2.

Minimum course yardage: 5,500 yards.

3.

Minimum public road frontage: 100 feet.

4.

Minimum building, driving range, fairway, clubhouse and pro shop setbacks: 50 feet from future public road right-of-way and 75 feet from property lines, unless the property is developed in connection with a residential subdivision. In such cases, the overall plan shall be approved by the division manager of zoning or his designee.

d.

Executive golf course. The following standards shall apply to executive golf courses:

1.

Minimum lot size: 65 acres.

2.

Minimum course yardage: 4,000 yards.

3.

Minimum public road frontage: 100 feet.

4.

Minimum building, driving range, fairway, clubhouse and pro shop setbacks: 50 feet from future public road right-of-way; 75 feet from property lines.

e.

Regulation public nine-hole course. The following standards shall apply to regulation public nine-hole courses:

1.

Minimum lot size: 65 acres.

2.

Minimum course yardage: 3,000 yards.

3.

Minimum public road frontage: 100 feet.

4.

Minimum building, driving range, fairway, clubhouse and pro shop setbacks: 50 feet from future public road right-of-way; 75 feet from property lines.

(3)

Safety netting. Safety netting of not less than 32 feet in height shall be placed along the perimeter of the golf course playing area which abuts any public road frontage.

(4)

Landscape buffer and screening requirements. Unless otherwise noted within this section, any golf course developed in accordance with this section which abuts residentially zoned property shall have a 25-foot landscaped screening buffer adjacent to all residentially zoned property, subject to county staff approval.

a.

Objectives. Undisturbed, planted landscape buffers and berms shall be implemented in connection with a permitted project and shall address the following objectives:

1.

Screen objectionable views and enhance aesthetic appeal;

2.

Control or direct vehicular and pedestrian movement;

3.

Reduce glare;

4.

Buffer noise; and

5.

Establish privacy.

b.

Standards.

1.

Buffers. Landscape buffers are subject to review and approval by county staff in accordance with the following standards:

i.

Plantings are to be a mix of evergreen trees and shrubs.

ii.

Species are to be ecologically compatible to the site and appropriate for the design situation.

iii.

Unless public safety concerns dictate otherwise, the buffer should provide a maximum barrier to a height of six feet within two years of planting.

iv.

Minimum height of plant materials at installation is five feet for trees and two feet for shrubs.

v.

Fencing or walls are to be a minimum of six feet in height or as determined by county staff.

vi.

Trees included in buffer plantings may be counted toward site density calculations as required by chapter 50, article VI, pertaining to tree preservation and replacement, subject to review and approval of county staff.

vii.

Buffers shall be regularly maintained by the property owner to ensure that the objectives and standards set out in this subsection are met.

viii.

When any golf course developed in accordance with this section abuts a residential district, a minimum 25-foot buffer is required. When topography and existing conditions allow, this 25-foot buffer should be undisturbed. If topography and existing conditions do not allow for an undisturbed buffer, then the 25-foot buffer shall be a planted, landscaped, maintained buffer.

2.

Berms. Berms are subject to review and approval by county staff in accordance with the following standards:

i.

Berm shall be utilized when consistent with surrounding property features.

ii.

Berms shall be stabilized.

iii.

Berms shall be constructed to be consistent with natural or proposed drainage patterns.

iv.

Berms shall be regularly maintained by the property owner.

(5)

Building and structure requirements. Maximum building height is 35 feet.

(6)

Parking requirements. See section 134-272 for paved parking specifications.

(7)

Lighting requirements. Any golf course and accessory uses permitted in accordance with this section which proposes a lighted facility must have a county department of transportation approved lighting plan in accordance with the minimum conditions listed in section 134-269.

(8)

Use limitations.

a.

The maximum size for a pro shop or clubhouse associated with par 3 or executive golf courses is 2,000 square feet.

b.

The maximum size for a clubhouse or pro shop for an 18-hole public or private regulation golf course is 40,000 square feet.

c.

Loudspeakers are not allowed if adjacent to residential districts.

d.

No advertising of retail sales is permitted when located within a residential category as defined by the county comprehensive land use plan.

e.

Any structure used in conjunction with this use shall be subject to the site plan and architectural requirements presented at the time of zoning.

f.

No outside lighting of a golf course is permitted when the course is located within or adjacent to a residential district. However, accessory uses approved by the division manager of zoning or his designee in an internal location not less than 100 feet from any residential property line may be lighted in accordance with section 134-269.

(9)

Accessory structures and uses. Permitted accessory structures and uses are as follows:

a.

Buildings used to house equipment solely for the maintenance and operation of the golf courses, not to exceed 3,000 square feet in size.

b.

Professional teaching and lessons.

c.

Golf club and ball rental.

d.

Pro shop.

e.

Tennis courts (two acres required in addition to required golf course acreage).

f.

Swimming pools (one acre required in addition to required golf course acreage).

g.

Driving range (eight acres required in addition to required golf course acreage).

(Ord. of 12-26-72; Ord. of 12-11-90, § 3-28-16.4)