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Planning commission approves Country Club driving‑range and 18th‑hole renovation; engineering, wetlands approvals in place
Summary
The commission approved the Country Club of New Canaan’s plan to reconfigure the 18th hole, extend portion of the driving range netting and perform grading limited to reuse on site; the project was approved by Inland Wetlands and the town engineer reviewed drainage plans.
The Planning and Zoning Commission on June 24 approved a special permit under Section 6.4(g) allowing the Country Club of New Canaan to reconfigure its 18th hole and driving range, including more than 1,000 cubic yards of earthwork and disturbance exceeding 10,000 square feet. Town engineer review and an Inland Wetlands approval were completed prior to the P&Z vote.
Attorney Steve Finn presented the application alongside golf‑course representative Steve Schlegel and golf course superintendent Mike Rowe. Engineer Tom Nelson (Ford Engineering) said the total estimated earthwork is about 11,500 cubic yards but that the project has been balanced so that no soil import or export is required; material needed for tees and bunkers (sand and gravel) is estimated at approximately 2,700 cubic yards and will be brought in. Nelson described phased construction, with most earthmoving in the fall and spring phases of work and rapid restabilization using sod to limit erosion and reduce the amount of time construction areas remain exposed.
“All grading is being rebalanced on site; no general export of soil is planned, and stormwater improvements reduce net impervious area by roughly 7,000 square feet,” Nelson said. He also described containment measures: double silt fence near sensitive areas, temporary sedimentation basins during work, and protections around existing drainage inlets.
Schlegel told the commission the renovation is the final phase of a multi‑year clubhouse and course renovation program begun after the club’s facilities deteriorated. He emphasized safety improvements — the range netting will be extended (the highest new net sections will reach about 75 feet at the far end) — and timing concerns: contractors and turf‑installation windows are limited, so the club sought a fall start to enable sod to establish before winter.
The Inland Wetlands Commission granted its permit June 16; the town engineer signed off on drainage plans May 30 and reviewed an updated drainage analysis on June 4 with no outstanding comments. Commissioners approved the special permit by roll call. The club will stage materials on site, use existing cart paths for access, and abide by town construction hour limits and erosion control conditions included in the permit application and engineering review.
The commission recorded the vote in the minutes and required standard erosion control, phased stabilization and final engineering sign‑off by town staff before issuance of any final certificates of occupancy or permanent approvals.
