Margate residents urge commission to block five-story development planned for Carolina Golf Course

Several Margate residents used the July 9 public comment period to urge the City Commission to prevent a proposed multi-story residential development on the Carolina Golf Course.

Richard Eddins, who said he lives near the golf course and moved to Margate in 1989, told the commission he had heard planning meetings and a DRC review were under way and that an applicant was discussing a five-story residential community on the golf course. "I was hoping to learn something," Eddins said. He warned the proposed buildings could cast long shadows on nearby homes, increase traffic on Rock Island Road and depress property values for longtime homeowners.

Commissioners and city staff said the proposal had not come before the commission and that a development application was pending. A staff member told the commission the citys office would research the issue and report back, but cautioned that a pending application carries risks and potential liabilities and that staff would need to assess options. "There is a development application pending, so that brings in certain risks and potential liabilities. But we will certainly research it," a staff member said.

Commissioner Casciano expressed personal support for preserving the golf course and asked that the mayor and staff explore a resolution or other steps to keep the property recreational; staff said they would investigate legal and policy options and speak individually with commissioners who raised concerns.

No formal action was taken on the development during the July 9 meeting. Staff said they would research what steps the city could take to preserve the golf course and report back to the commission.