City Council Approves Crowfield Restrictions

Goose Creek City Council gave final approval Tuesday to new deed restrictions at the city's Crowfield Golf and Country Club.

Under the restrictions, the council will be unable to subdivide the property for the next 25 years. Any attempt may be subject to a lawsuit by city residents, according to the restrictions.

Purchased a decade ago, the golf course was paid for earlier this year and is expected to turn a modest profit for the first time in 2012. When he introduced the measure, Mayor Michael Heitzler said the restrictions would provide an added layer of insurance for homeowners surrounding the golf course.  

The expectation is that, if the golf course is shuttered years from now, the land will be worthless to a develper if it can't be subdivided. "I'm not interested in preserving the value of the land," Heitzler said Tuesday. "I'm interested in preserving the land."

While a majority of the council gave initial approval to the measure in October, Councilman Franklin Moore offered up a concession to opponents on the council who were worried about the tying the hands of the city going forward.

In an ammendment approved by council Tuesday, the deed restrictions can be withdrawn through a referendum put in front of voters.

The final vote was 5-1. The "no" vote came from Councilman Jerry Tekac, a Hamlets resident who has questioned the need for the restrictions. Councilwoman Margurette Brown was not present at the meeting, but she has been a strong opponent of any deed restrictions.