An abandoned, overgrown golf course on both sides of Nile Road in the Pharaoh Valley Subdivision could become a residential and commercial development. Photo by Suzanne Freeman
Two warring petitions have confused a property-owner vote to change deed restrictions for the Pharaoh Valley Country Club that began Sept. 3 and will continue until Nov. 3. Owner of the aging golf course, Jeff Blackard, CEO of Blackard Global, took questions from about 100 people attending the first of several petition-signing events. Of those, 54 homeowners signed in favor of the deed change, while three opposed it.
A second vote on the future of the abandoned country club and golf course takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 at Party Ventures, 1257 Nile Dr. Notaries will be available for those signing petitions.
According to a new state law that took effect Sept. 1, 75 percent of the area’s property owners must agree to changing restrictions for the land from golf course to multi use. Blackard plans a development called Barisi Village that would include multi-family apartment complexes, commercial enterprises and a nine-hole golf course.
According to information being emailed to homeowners and posted on the Pharaoh Valley News Facebook page, the only petition that will count toward the vote is the one circulated by Blackard Global at the Sept. 3 meeting. Copies are being distributed to the property owners in Pharaoh Valley, Rock Creek Townhomes, Carriage Park Townhomes and Seaside Villa.
A petition being circulated by a group called Concerned Pharaoh Valley Homeowners opposes the deed changes. Opponents to Barisi Village cite traffic issues that would be created by high density development. They also note that they bought their homes in a quiet neighborhood and want to keep it that way.
The golf course has been closed for four years and is overgrown and unsightly, counter proponents of Barisi Village.
To vote in favor of changing the deed restrictions and allowing development of Barisi Village to proceed, property owners must have their signatures notarized. To vote against it, owners need only NOT sign the petition or sign the competing petition, said Blackard at the Sept. 3 meeting.
Representatives from Blackard Global will be on hand to answer questions at the Sept. 10 meeting. Petitions were mailed to every homeowner.
