Deerfield OKs plan for over 400 homes on golf course

Deerfield Beach on Tuesday agreed to allow more than 400 homes to be built on the Crystal Lake golf course.

A developer will be allowed to build 290 houses and 125 townhouses on the 109-acre parcel, situated west of Military Trail between Green and Sample roads, city commissioners decided. It’s the first time in 25 years new single-family homes will be built in the city.

The Broward County Commission in August also agreed to the change the use of the land to residential.

Across South Florida, attendance at Crystal Lake and many other courses has been on the decline, giving way to developers building homes on them.

Crystal Lake’s closure will leave just one golf course in Deerfield. The city once used to have five golf courses.

Commissioner Joe Miller said the the proposal represented a great opportunity.

“If the golf course closes, it’s going to turn into Jurassic Park with lizards and iguanas running all over the place,” Miller said. “I don’t want to see this become an eyesore.”

Dennis Mele, representing the developer, Hoyer Homes, said the neighborhood opposition has dwindled as community meetings have been held. But opponents made a strong showing at Tuesday’s meeting.

“When is enough cement, enough cement?” resident Pam Picariello, asked.

Hoyer Homes also developed the Raintree Golf & Country Club near Pembroke and Hiatus roads into a community of 105 homes in Pembroke Pines.

“Our client has been very responsive to the community,” Mele said, explaining the developer agreed to open recreation space welcoming all and also dedicate some land so that a neighboring development could drain properly.

But some neighbors’ one desire cannot be accommodated: keeping the parcel a golf course.