Aurora – Homeowners next to the 18-hole golf course at Heather Ridge Country Club are relieved that plans to develop it appear to be dead.
Owner Dick Jorgensen on Thursday agreed to work with homeowners to ensure the 34-year-old course and driving range are preserved, even if they are sold. Jorgensen also has invited the homeowners to meet with any potential buyers.
The announcement comes as a big relief for residents who formed a nonprofit group last summer seeking to preserve the course, near East Iliff Avenue and Interstate 225.
“I can’t tell you how wonderful this is,” said Errol Rowland, president of United Associations of Heather Ridge. “The situation should have happened months ago, and it didn’t. … All I can say is we’re happy. We want to keep the golf course. (Jorgensen) understands our position.”
Jorgensen declined to comment Thursday.
Rowland said the homeowners won’t contest some development as long as the course and the driving range are preserved.
“If he wants to put the Taj Mahal at the northeast corner of Iliff and Xanadu (Way), I feel the community would support any development at that corner,” Rowland said. “As long as our golf course is there and our open space is there.”
Since April, homeowners have heard of at least a dozen developers interested in buying the course.
In May, property owners plan to ask their neighbors to form a special district with the possibility of raising taxes for money to bid for the course, if necessary. The City Council on Feb. 27 will consider whether to approve the formation of the special district.
Staff writer Jeremy P. Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
