The Germantown Country Club is one step closer to turning into a residential community.

The Germantown Planning Commission recommended the project, Glasgow, proceed in three phases instead of seven under an amended outline plan. Additionally, commissioners favored Farmington-Kimbrough Development Group’s plan for 150 homes in the first phase. There were no votes against the proposals. Commissioner David Clark, a homebuilder, was present but abstained from voting due to interest in buying lots and building on the site.

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“I have a lot of confidence in this developer,” Chairman Mike Harless said. “Thornwood is an example and I think this will be a great addition to our city.”

The country club closed in early 2019. Arizona-based Millennium Companies had a contract on the property, but it pulled out during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. 

“In 2019, I thought about it for a nanosecond,” Spence Ray, vice-president of McNeill Commercial Real Estate, said, noting the timing was not right.

By June 2020, Ray had a contract on it. However, he was familiar with the property because he played golf there two decades ago. So he placed a contract on the property and then went and saw the property.

Glasgow will be a secured community. Guests must enter from Farmington or Kimbrough and the two entrances will meet at a roundabout where a guard must let them. Residents may enter there or from Allenby Road, where they will have a gate. The guard at the site will be present 24-hours per day. Commissioner Dike Bacon was concerned with cost and upkeep, but ultimately voted yes.

The drainage, streets and sidewalk were proposed to be private. The sewer would be public. The city must approve infrastructure before homes are built.

Although many residents attended the meeting only one spoke with a concern about trees that may be removed. The tree plan will be thoroughly reviewed by the Design Review Commission.

An arborist will soon visit the site to determine which trees are unhealthy and may die soon. The arborist will develop a report and Ray plans to work with the city’s arborist.

“We don’t see developers come in very often and say they are going to keep 50% of the trees, so congratulations,” Harless told Ray.

Although a private neighborhood, residents throughout the community will have access to walking trails. There will be at least three trailheads and possibly a fourth on Wolf River Boulevard. The fourth trailhead needs state review.

Tuesday the site’s fairways and rough remained intact while greens had not received sod since the country club closed. Some mud occupied spots where buildings like the clubhouse and tennis courts once stood. Ray had stakes on the site marking out the 100-foot buffer which will remain untouched. Perimeter fencing will be at the end of the buffer area, furtherest from existing homes and closer to the new ones.

When the trees are full in the warmer months, standing in the middle of the country club site feels rural.

“You’d think you’re in the middle of Fayette County in the summer,” Ray said.

Owners will be able to purchase a lot, but Ray said when residents close on the lot, construction should begin soon after.

There will be variety in the homes and about a dozen quality builders residents wishing to be Glasgow may choose from. Ray will have some control over architecture.

“My family says I am a triple control freak,” Ray joked with the commission. 

Commissioners had concern about the number of lots that could be under construction at once due to various issues, including supply chain struggles.

“I believe in you and your company but I am really struggling right now,” Alderman Jon McCreery said.

Ray believes the local builders can construct homes in 10-12 months despite today’s challenges.