Motion to sell Hidden Falls land fails

February 12, 2013, 9:00 pm by Adam Troxtell

Councilmembers, left to right, Paul Sarcione, Mary Ann Raesner, and Barry Cunningham discuss Tuesday whether or not selling parts of the Hidden Falls Golf Club course as residential property would be a good way to raise money for the Meadowlakes attraction.

Parts of Hidden Falls Golf Course in Meadowlakes will not be sold off as residential property after a council resolution on the matter died due to lack of a second.

During a discussion period in their Tuesday meeting, the City Council spoke against the idea of rezoning parts of the city-owned Hidden Falls as residential property and sold to prospective home builders as a method of raising money for the course. Mayor Don Williams was largely in favor of the measure, but accepted the actions of the council.

"As you know, the only way we can raise money as a city is through taxes or a surcharge on utilities,” Williams said. "No one has said how they can raise that kind of money in another way. So, if you are against this that is fine; but, tell me how to raise the money?”

Several citizens filled the meeting room at city hall, some of which spoke against the move. Joe Summers, who is also president of the Men’s Golf Association, said selling lots for residential use would alter the "character” of Hidden Falls.

Councilmember Paul Sarcione, who made the motion to approve the resolution with the full knowledge it would not be seconded, said the city will now have to concentrate on new ways to raise money for Hidden Falls.

For the full story, see Friday’s Highlander.