Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Golf Course Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Yarmouth ZBA finds no undue nuisance after second annual review of unlimited public play at Kingsway Golf Course
Summary
At its March 13 meeting the Yarmouth Zoning Board of Appeals completed the second annual review of Special Permit No. 4977, finding no evidence that allowing unlimited public play at Kingsway Golf Course has created undue nuisance, hazard, or congestion; board expects another review next year under the permit’s three-year schedule.
The Yarmouth Zoning Board of Appeals completed its second annual review on March 13 of Special Permit No. 4977 (Nov. 4, 2022), concluding that allowing unlimited public play at Kingsway Golf Course has not created an undue nuisance, hazard or congestion for neighbors or the town.
Attorney David Reed, representing Kingsway Trust, told the board the golf operation reported 16,159 rounds in 2024, about 73% of which were by the public, and that percentage was comparable to the prior year. Reed said he contacted the Amherst Police Department and the town building official and was told each had received no complaints about the golf course in the past 12 months. Reed described site mitigation measures, including posted signage asking patrons to be considerate, a 6-foot solid-board fence at Hole 3 and an arborvitae barrier at Hole 9, and said the facility had received no neighbor complaints since those changes were made.
The board reviewed a letter dated March 3, 2025, from Stephen Day, chairman of the board of trustees of Heatherwood Condominiums, which said: “During the time that unlimited public play has been allowed, we have not seen or heard any detrimental increase in traffic or noise and we are pleased to welcome golfing visitors to our beautiful community.” Chair Sean Igoe said the board was satisfied the operation met the criteria of the special permit.
Nut graf: The board in 2022 removed a prior 8,000-round annual cap on public play at the private Kingsway course but required annual reviews for three years to monitor neighborhood impacts. After hearing the operator’s report, the board concluded the second-year operation showed no material problems and agreed to continue monitoring; the decision’s three-year review schedule remains in effect and the board indicated it will see the applicant next year unless it directs otherwise.
In discussion, board members generally thanked the operator for addressing neighbors’ concerns and noted the absence of complaints as an important sign. No member raised objections or moved to change the permit conditions; Chair Igoe said the board would record that the second annual review had been completed. Attorney Reed said his client would continue to report operations to the board and that facility management welcomed increased traffic for on-site businesses such as the restaurant.
Clarifying details recorded during the hearing include the 2024 rounds total (16,159), the 73% public-play share, the previously removed 8,000-round cap, and the specific mitigation measures (signs; 6-foot board fence at Hole 3; arborvitae barrier at Hole 9). The board also received the Heatherwood trustees’ supportive letter and heard that both the police department and building official reported no complaints in the prior 12 months.
Ending: The board took no formal change action and recorded that the second annual review under Special Permit No. 4977 was complete. The permit’s three-year review sequence remains on the record; the board indicated it expects to see the applicant for the third review next year unless it later decides otherwise.
