District director looks into Boca golf course's future
by Emily Miller and Paul Owers - Contact Reporters – SunSentinel 4/6/2016
Talk surrounding a potential sale of an east Boca Raton golf course for development has at least one official reviewing whether local government should step in before it's too late.
Arthur Koski, executive director of the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, said Wednesday he has reached out to Wells Fargo Bank for any information surrounding the future of the Ocean Breeze Golf & Country Club. He said "it would be useful knowledge" to have.
Considered the largest recreation tract left for purchase in the city, the golf course at 5801 NW Second Ave. is nestled on 280-plus acres in the Boca Teeca subdivision, according to its website. The course has 27 holes.
MCZ/Centrum Florida V Owner LLC bought the site in 2004 for $7.2 million, property records show. After years of pushing the proposal, the developer won city approval in 2007 to build 211 townhomes on 30 acres of the golf course. But Wells Fargo foreclosed on the property before the developer ever put a shovel in the ground, according to news reports.
Mayor Susan Haynie said Wells Fargo is talking to potential developers, but nothing has been submitted to the city. A new developer would need to get a new approval, says Boca’s mayor.
Despite a buzz of a potential buy, neither Haynie nor Koski had heard anything definite about whether a sale is in the works. Representatives of the Ocean Breeze Golf & Country Club and Wells Fargo Bank couldn't be reached for comment despite phone calls.
Golf is declining in popularity, and as a result, development of courses has become more common. Whether the district would indeed purchase the land "would depend upon the immediate availability of revenue and resources," Koski said.
A 28-year resident of Boca Teeca appealed to district on Monday. "It would appear to be very feasible for the beach & park district to purchase this land and preserve the only public championship-level golf course in a city that is known for their many golf courses," said Robert DuKate, who in the past led a group of Boca Teeca homeowners who opposed development of the course.
Years ago, another community had unsuccessfully tried to convince the district to buy its course, Koski said. The property in the Boca Del Mar community did not fit the district's interests because it would have been difficult to provide public access.
Like the Boca Del Mar property, the golf course in Boca Teeca is designed primarily for use by its residents and parking for the public would be a concern, Koski said. "Those issues would have to be considered, too," he said. Historically, the district has indicated that it does not want to be in the golf-course business. However, commissioners may consider such a venture if it were done in partnership with the city, though no discussions have been had regarding the Ocean Breeze course, Koski said.
The previous developer had the zoning changed to accommodate homes, but that zoning approval has since expired, Haynie said. A new developer would need to get a new approval.
And if a developer did step forward, Haynie said, the city would need to address the traffic issues on Northwest Second Avenue before a plan for the golf course could be approved.
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