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Parkland Seeks Residential Developers for New Project.

By Bryan Boggiano

The Parkland city commission agreed to set the maximum number of homes on the “dogleg” portion of the former Heron Bay Golf Course at 52, or 2.5 per acre.

The development comes after their Wednesday meeting, where the commission heard from four potential developers about their plans for the 21-acre parcel of land that the North Springs Improvement District once owned. The city purchased that land, and 44 additional acres, from NSID in September.

Initially, the city received proposals from 11 potential developers through real estate firm Colliers International: 13th Floor Homes, Ascend Properties/Mizner Development, Azure Parkland LLC, D.R. Horton, K Hovnanian, Kenco Communities, Mattamy Homes, Mike Dinov, Sobelco, The Spear Group, and Toll Brothers.

These companies originally responded to a call for developers in March.

Colliers narrowed the list of potential developers to four, selecting Ascend/Mizner, D.R. Horton, Kenco, and Toll Brothers.

Representatives from each of the four final developers presented their preliminary plans to the city commission at Wednesday’s meeting.

Of those four plans, the projected number of new homes on the former Heron Bay Golf Course ranged from 42 to 63. The purchase price for the entire property ranged from about $13 million to about $22 million.

After hearing each presentation, the commission weighed their concerns with the developers.

Some of the issues they brought up involved experience with converting golf courses to residential properties, past luxury home development, negotiations with the HOA, corporate approval of site plans, security on the southern end of the property, and the impact on schools and existing infrastructure in Heron Bay.

“We went through quite a boundary issue just recently,” said Commissioner Ken Cutler.

Other concerns the commission voiced include developers completing the project on time, the city getting adequate returns for their investment, impacts on future commercial development, the new homes’ architectural styles, and potential variances and special exceptions for properties, the latter of which they expressed disapproval.

“We want a community that is integrated to Heron Bay and positive to residents,” said Vice Mayor Simeon Brier. “Residents are already losing some of their golf course view and privacy.”

The commission expressed the desire to maintain a low-density character for development, noting 60 or more homes would be too much in Heron Bay.

They did, however, express approval for limiting the number of homes to 2.5 per acre, or 52 throughout the dogleg. Mayor Rich Walker said this would allow the city to maintain its character, noting there were proposals calling for 400 condos at the golf club’s former location.

“We’re operating on a huge positive on us purchasing this land,” said Walker.

Ultimately, Commissioner Jordan Isrow made a motion to allow each of the 11 developers an opportunity to submit their best and final proposals by the end of the day on May 25, with a maximum of 52 homes on their updated plans. Commissioner Bob Mayersohn seconded, and the commission unanimously approved.

Colliers will review the proposals and present a narrowed-down list to the commission at their next meeting on June 7, starting at 7 p.m.

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Author Profile

Bryan Boggiano

A University of Florida journalism graduate, Bryan plans to pursue geosciences at Florida International University for his master's. He has a strong interest in weather, entertainment, and journalism.