Flagler Beach residents press commission over golf-course lease, sale process

Community voices pressed the Flagler Beach City Commission on the future of the city-owned 38-acre golf-course property, urging stronger enforcement of the lease and a transparent, public process if the property is sold.

The calls came during the commission’s public-comment period and a later discussion led by city staff. Multiple residents said they want the city to keep the course as municipal recreational space or at least ensure broad public input before any sale. “We had Friday booth survey results … 81% were against the sale of the property,” said Mark Emmhoof, who identified himself as representing Community Voices for Flagler Beach. “We had 84% ‘no’ to sale [online].”

The matter overlaps with ongoing enforcement of the lease. City Manager told the commission the leaseholder has been asked to present a long-term plan and that, if that plan is not submitted, staff will begin enforcement action effective July 1 under a previously passed resolution. City Attorney Drew Smith advised the commission that as long as an active lease exists, the tenant is the only party that can buy the property unless the city buys out the lease: “You can’t sell property that’s owned by the tenant,” Smith said.

Residents asked whether a potential sale would be publicly advertised and whether the city had enforced lease conditions. Melissa Lynn said she had an email from the city attorney indicating a prior tenant had been evicted for similar maintenance failures and asked why the current tenant was treated differently. Commissioners and staff said some enforcement options are constrained by the existence of the lease, but reaffirmed the deadline for the leaseholder to submit a long-term plan and signaled they would pursue enforcement if terms remain unfulfilled.

Several speakers from Ocean Palm and other neighborhoods described organized opposition to a large clubhouse proposal and a preference to preserve family recreation. Ryan Jones said community members are preparing proposals to manage the site as a municipal course and would present them if the opportunity arises.

Commissioners said they would make any plans submitted by the tenant publicly available for review. The commission indicated it would continue to press the tenant for documentation and that staff would follow up on the lease timeline.

The discussion concluded with direction to staff to request the tenant’s plans by the stated deadline and to make those documents available to the public; no sale or final disposition was approved during the meeting.