Commissioners raise questions about Pine Canyon golf-course expansion and water use

Commissioners said they attended a virtual public meeting hosted by attorneys representing Pine Canyon and reported limited detail about anticipated water use for a proposed expansion of the golf course. At the Water Commission meeting members said the developer described the first phase as ‘‘something in excess of 50 to 60 some units’’ and characterized the golf-course change as a small addition (the developer told attendees it would be about four acres). Commissioners said developers did not provide quantified answers about historical or future water use when asked. Commissioner (speaker) reported: "The first phase is gonna be something in excess of, I don't know, 50 to 60 some units, but they are expanding the golf course out there. And they indicated that it would only be 4 acres of golf course that they're gonna be expanding. Although I've heard through discussions that some of the applications that have been made may be for more than 4 acres, but it's supposed to be a a 9 hole pitch and putt golf course, and all the questions that I asked with regards to historical water use or anticipated water use or whatever got no answers. So ... we'll have to get back to you." (quote as spoken in meeting) Commissioners also noted comments made by a meeting participant that Pine Canyon has removed 10 acres of turf from the existing course and incorporated conservation measures. The meeting record quotes a city official summarizing the developer’s statement: "their current agreement, if my memory serves me right, is 30,000,000 gallons per month. That's about a million gallons per day. And they're saying because of what they've done with the other golf course, they can live continue to live within that agreement." The commission did not independently verify that figure or the developer's water-use projections. Discussion: Commissioners said they will follow up for more precise water-use estimates and documentation. No regulatory or permitting action was taken at the meeting. Staff noted that further project details would be monitored and brought back to the commission as information becomes available. Ending: Commissioners asked staff to continue tracking water-use claims and to report back with any formal applications or documentation the developer files with the city.