Pulte Home Companies, LLC is seeking to redevelop Olney Golf Park with a 235-townhome community, according to the applicant’s initial pre-hearing statement filed in connection with a proposed zoning change for the 22-plus-acre property at 3414 Emory Church Road in Olney. The news was first reported by the Washington Business Journal.
The property, which has long operated as Olney Golf Park, is currently zoned RE-2 and has been used for at least the last 30 years as a golf driving range and lesson facility, according to the pre-hearing statement. The filing says the site includes a 2,160SF clubhouse, teeing structures and a surface parking lot. Pulte is seeking to rezone the property to the Commercial Residential Neighborhood Floating Zone to allow for the proposed residential development.
According to the pre-hearing statement, the project would include up to 235 townhouse units, with 15 percent designated as moderately priced dwelling units. The filing also states that about 34 percent of the property would be devoted to open space, including 5.5 acres of forested area. BizJournals previously reported that the open space plan also includes a 1.2-acre central park with seating and children’s play areas.
The applicant argues in the filing that the rezoning and development would be compatible with the surrounding area and would help meet the county’s broader housing goals. The statement says there is adequate school capacity to accommodate the students anticipated from the project and that an initial traffic analysis indicates there is sufficient capacity on the surrounding road network. A Local Area Transportation Review is still being prepared and will be submitted in connection with the rezoning request.
The pre-hearing statement says the proposal substantially conforms with Thrive Montgomery 2050 and the 2005 Approved and Adopted Olney Master Plan, and that the applicant intends to seek preliminary plan and site plan approval from the Montgomery County Planning Board if the rezoning is approved.
BizJournals reported that Olney Golf Park, originally known as Olney Golf Learning Center, was established in 1996. The outlet also reported that Westland Golf – Maryland LLP, led by founder and CEO Tim Landres, owns the property, which includes an 80-tee driving range and a 119-space parking lot.
The pre-hearing statement identifies the site as being bounded by Georgia Avenue to the west and Emory Church Road to the south, placing it at a prominent Olney intersection. BizJournals reported the proposed townhome community was described in application materials as an ideal use for the site because of its proximity to bus service on Georgia Avenue, the ICC, nearby retail and Olney Manor Recreational Park.
The rezoning request is still in the early stages, and redevelopment cannot move forward unless the floating zone map amendment is approved.
