Former Asheville Golf Site to Become New Home Development, Provide Public Sewer Connection
A new South Asheville housing development will replace the old Brookwood Golf Club after it was unanimously approved during the May 8 Buncombe County Board of Adjustment meeting. The new development, named Central Park, will bring 23 new single-family homes to the area alongside 185 new townhomes to 455 Mills Gap Road in Arden. The 9-hole Brookwood Golf Club closed in 2008 after 30 years of operation.
History of the Property
A 156-unit housing project was approved for the property in 2007, just before the Great Recession. The project was never built. The property is currently under contract with Ambach Communities, LLC, according to planning documents. The development site includes a 20-acre conservation easement established by the Asheville-based environmental nonprofit RiverLink as the property “drains over 2,500 acres of land before it converges with Cane Creek,” according to the nonprofit’s website.
Community Concerns
The plans indicate the developers will build around the easement, which had previously raised the concerns of a neighborhood group. A representative, James Foxx, was denied legal standing during the April 10 Board of Adjustment meeting. Developer Mark Ambach said he intends to maintain the conservation easement as the project is developed.
Public Sewer Connection
Neighbors to the property who are currently on private septic systems will have the option to join the public sewer system. Developer Mark Ambach stated that they would remove the septic system and pay for connection fees to hook them into the public sewer system.
Traffic Impact Analysis
Senior Project Manager Colin Kinton performed a traffic impact analysis on the site, determining that the new development would not adversely impact the health or safety of those in the area. Kinton’s analysis was conducted in the summer of 2023 and predicted traffic based on 276 residential units, rather than the proposed 208. The analysis received approval from the North Carolina Department of Transportation in October.
Developer’s Perspective
Ambach had previously expressed that the Asheville area has a need for housing developments like Central Park. He is also working on the Creekside Community housing project in Arden. The project was approved in a unanimous 7-0 vote, with a condition proposed by board member David Weinstein regarding maintaining vegetation to ensure clear visibility for drivers.
Conclusion
The Central Park housing development at the former Brookwood Golf Club site marks a new chapter for the area, providing much-needed housing options and a connection to the public sewer system for residents. With careful consideration of environmental factors and traffic impact, the project aims to enhance the community while preserving the natural landscape of the region.
