By Cassie Tomlin (contact)

Wed, Jan 14, 2009 (10:36 a.m.)

Land around Boulder Creek Golf Club is mostly desert, but city planners envision in the long term, homes and businesses could take root there.

The City Council saw a map outlining potential plans for the space around the golf course during its Tuesday meeting.

No one expects to see development anytime soon, Brok Armantrout, the city’s community development director, said as he began his presentation. But the city was following a recommendation of its Finance Advisory Committee last year that it research which kinds of future uses would work at the course and create a Vision Master Plan, he said.

Engineers, planners, airport officials and police and fire staff arranged areas with zoning to allow homes, commercial uses, hotels and mixed-use developments taking into account airport noise, streets and the city’s 2003 land master plan.

Highway commercial development — for example, an upscale shopping center such as The District at Green Valley Ranch — would work well at the corner of Nevada Highway and Veterans Memorial Drive, Armantrout said.

The south end of that block, a third of a mile square, would border the golf course green.

Where Adams Boulevard ends at Veterans Memorial Drive, Armantrout said, mixed-use resort, office and townhomes could be built in between the golf course lawns. Buildings there couldn’t be taller than 25 feet, as the area backs up to a runway at the Boulder City Airport.

The area would be an ideal location for a restaurant for pilots, golfers and residents alike, Armantrout said.

The Hawthorn Suites Golf Resort plans to build just south of that intersection.

Low density residential development would be suitable bordering the golf course along Adams Boulevard and Bristlecone Drive, near other existing homes, Armantrout said.

Councilman Travis Chandler reminded Armantrout that voters had twice rejected residential development in the area.

Armantrout said the city wasn’t planning on putting homes there, but housing would be the appropriate use for the land if there ever were development. He added that voters could change their minds in 50 years.

Cassie Tomlin can be reached at 948-2073 or cassie.tomlin@hbcpub.com.