Commission to hear about Brandermill tennis courts
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Brandermill Country Club's plan to convert six acres of outdoor tennis courts to 45 condominiums goes before the Chesterfield Planning Commission on Sept. 19. But, Planning Director Kirk Turner does not expect the commission to take action on the schematic plan for the condos next week.

The site is currently zoned for multifamily, but Brandermill's more than 30-year-old master plan includes the tennis courts as part of the land pledged for open space. Building condos there could violate the minimum open space requirement.

"I doubt there is enough open space without the tennis courts," said Turner last week. "If the open space issue goes away, water quality will become the focus of the community. The commission would probably be reluctant to act quickly."

Water runoff from the rooftops and paved parking areas of any new condos would drain to the nearby Swift Creek Reservoir. Eight tennis courts would remain if the condos are built.

To remedy the open space issue, the club would have to bring the master plan into compliance with a conditional amendment. That process brings public input, and a citizen group called Save Brandermill has been organizing against the condo project.

Following the demise of Courtside Racquet and Fitness to make room for a drugstore at the intersection of Genito Road and Charter Colony Parkway, about a dozen investors began seeking a site to build, own and operate an indoor tennis facility. According to one of the investors, Ken Baker, the yet unnamed company is working on incorporation.

"A group of investors-tennis players primarily-have gotten together to replace Courtside [since] we have no indoor tennis," he said. "Many alternatives are being looked at."

Other options reportedly include a site near the Northern Area Transfer Station and in Woodlake. Baker would not confirm nor deny those locations.

East West Partners' President/CEO Gary Fenchuk confirmed that his company has offered free land for a facility adjacent to Woodlake Swim & Racquet Club near the center of Woodlake. "We aren't seeking to make any money from it, but see it as a possible club facility," he explained. "There's quite a bit of open space there."

A source who declined to be identified says discussions have taken place about an indoor facility at the country club. If it were to locate at the club, the condo project would have to be scaled back or eliminated.

More than a month ago, a group of mostly golf members from the club met to discuss an equity buyout of the country club. Headed by Woodlake resident Rick Bishop, the group formed a committee to sound out the current club ownership. Bishop did not return a call for comment.

"We're not in any formal discussions with anyone about selling the club," said Bob Dewsbury, one of the owners of Brandermill Country Club.

At its Aug. 15 meeting, the commission deferred the schematic plan for the condo project until this month. The planning department will issue a report regarding the open space requirement.

Some commissioners wanted to slow down the report, fearing that the open space report might cause the schematic plan to be referred to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Clover Hill Planning Commissioner Russ Gulley called it "a legal dilemma."

"The planning commission could lose control over this case," he said.