The Township Planning Commission voted to approve an amended site plan for West Shore Golf and Country Club at 22843 West River, permitting construction of a 7,200-square-foot building immediately north of the clubhouse to house cart storage, charging stations, two golf simulators and a warm-up driving range.

Brian, the township planning consultant, told commissioners the revised plan reorients and slightly reduces the previously approved footprint, increases the north-side setback to move the building away from an adjacent residence and retains compliance with dimensional standards. "By definition in the ordinance, this project did not constitute more than 25% increase in usable floor area," Brian said, noting the change therefore qualifies as a modified site plan under Article 21 and does not require a new special land-use review.

Architect Bob Howie described other revisions intended to reduce neighborhood impacts, including rotating the building to preserve more trees and moving the nearest cart-charging point from about 20 feet to "approximately 90 feet" from the property line. Howie said the new orientation reduced the length of building wall facing the side lot from about 120 feet to about 68 feet, a change he said ‘‘almost reduced that by 50%." The petitioner also added a drainage swale parallel to the property line to manage potential runoff.

Commissioners asked for extra assurance that pedestrian safety would be preserved at night. Several members expressed concern that the parking-lot illumination described as "compliant" in the packet might not be sufficient in winter conditions. Brian and the architect said the site plan makes no change to existing lot lighting and that a photometric study and final engineering review could be required as a condition or handled administratively during final engineering.

An adjacent resident, Jerry Carducci of 22439 West River Road, asked whether additional screening could be installed where vehicles would pass near the maintenance area. Chair and the project team clarified that the petitioner had adjusted the layout to increase vegetative buffering; commissioners repeatedly said they preferred preserving and supplementing trees over requiring a masonry wall, provided the homeowner remained satisfied.

Commissioner Brian moved to approve the amended plan with two conditions—engineering and fire marshal approval and continued allowance of a vegetative buffer in lieu of the required wall—and Kurt seconded. The commission approved the motion by voice vote. The planner confirmed that the amended plan will replace the prior plan as the plan of record and that the petitioner will provide material samples matching the elevations for the township file.

The planning commission recessed to other business and adjourned after a brief chair’s report.

What happens next: final engineering and fire marshal approvals remain required before construction permits are issued; commissioners indicated they could require additional lighting details if a photometric review indicates more illumination is necessary.