Oldham County board finds Glen Oaks driving range a nuisance; orders compliance by May 1, 2026

The Oldham County Code Enforcement Board voted Sept. 25 that citation 809, issued Aug. 19, 2025, to California Dreaming LLC, operator of Glen Oaks Country Club, was properly issued and that the club's driving-range operations constitute a continuing nuisance under the county's nuisance ordinance. The board set a compliance deadline of May 1, 2026, and held the $150 fine in abeyance while the operator works with residents to reduce stray balls.

The board's hearing record includes a multi-year history of complaints brought by residents on Laurel Lane and surrounding properties. County staff presented a timeline of contacts and meetings beginning in 2021, described a 2022 citation that was withdrawn after mitigation efforts, and recounted renewed complaints in 2025 that prompted citation 809. The presenting code enforcement officer said staff inspected multiple backyards and photographed damage, reporting 63 golf balls collected at one yard (6121 Laurel Lane), five at 6123, 'many' at 6125, six at 6127 and other scattered balls and examples of siding and deck damage.

"I did issue citation 809 on 08/19/2025," the code enforcement officer told the board, describing prior meetings with the club and neighbors and the materials in the hearing packet. Staff also reviewed the county nuisance definition cited in the notice: any exterior condition or use that "renders such properties as dangerous or detrimental or adverse to the health, welfare, or offensive to the senses of the residents of Oldham County."

Several homeowners described repeated property damage and safety concerns. "Since late 2020, we have counted 274 balls in our yard, 10 balls on Laurel Lane, and 21 strikes on our house," said resident Scott Sailor of 6123 Laurel Lane, who told the board balls had nearly struck family members and a 4-year-old child. "We would like the club to keep names, dates, and times of purchase for anyone buying balls for the range," he said, and asked the county to reinstate fines and a rapid-response text system.

Other residents gave similar accounts of dents in garage doors, broken siding, broken taillights and a decision by some families to avoid using backyards. "Golf balls falling around family members is dangerous, period," Jack Cooney said. "It is a nuisance and it's a repetitive nuisance."

Representatives of Glen Oaks told the board the club has implemented mitigation measures and is willing to do more. Manager Daniel Wilhelm and managing partner James (Jamie) Miller said the club had installed signage, moved some targets, closed certain forward tee boxes, allowed homeowners to install netting and added cameras. Miller said the driving range and a membership product called "Practice and Play" are critical to the business and that the operator cannot guarantee zero stray balls.

"I'm willing to commit thousands of dollars" to mitigation and to help homeowners obtain netting, Miller said, adding that "I can't promise no golf balls." He also argued that individual golfers who damage property are generally liable and that homeowners who chose to live adjacent to a range assume some risk.

Board counsel told members their duty was narrow: to decide whether the facts presented meet the county's nuisance standard. After discussion, the board voted first that the citation had been properly served and then that a violation existed. The board then voted, 3-1, to require California Dreaming to bring the property into compliance by May 1, 2026; the $150 fine tied to citation 809 was paused during that period. Staff said no further citations would be issued while the parties attempt to implement and test mitigation efforts, though the board retained authority to resume enforcement if compliance is not achieved.

The board and counsel emphasized that the board's order did not prescribe a single remedy: it did not mandate a specific technical solution such as netting, a permanent change to tee locations, or an operator staffing level. Instead, the order required the operator to work toward a condition that no longer violates the county nuisance standard and allowed residents and the club to pursue practical mitigation steps and follow-up inspection.

The hearing underscored competing interests: homeowners seeking immediate, enforceable relief to protect children and property, and the club citing membership commitments and operational limits while offering targeted measures and cooperation. The board's compliance deadline aims to give both sides time to implement and test changes during the quieter season and next spring's reopening.

If the board finds after May 1 that the property remains in violation, staff may resume enforcement actions or the matter may be pursued in court; the board emphasized that parties may also seek judicial remedies outside the board process. The Code Enforcement Board adjourned after setting the compliance date.

Citation: citation 809, California Dreaming LLC (Glen Oaks Country Club), notice issued 08/19/2025; compliance deadline 05/01/2026.