MEMORANDUM

As the Council is aware, Mr. Mike Peru has approached Jackson County regarding the use of a publicly owned parcel of the Bear Creek Greenway for the purposes of golf course development on the Billings property. The Council has requested some background information regarding the ecology of this specific parcel, as well as the need for this land for golf course purposes by the developer.

Karen Smith, Coordinator of the Bear Creek Greenway for Jackson County, provided information from the 1988 Plan that generally describes the area. While no site specific information is included in the plan, in general, this area is described as a natural area with specific characteristics and access making it most appropriate for passive recreation uses. Relevant sections from the 1988 plan are attached.

From walking the site, it is an area of varied vegetation, from large trees of multiple species, to a wide variety of lower level vegetation. Access to Bear Creek is possible from the Greenway trail. There is an area of meadow-like vegetation within the site. Information provided on the walk with Jackson County Planning Commissioners indicated a wide variety of birds and wildlife also inhabit the area.

Mike Peru, the developer for the Billings golf course, has indicated that the primary need for the use of the Greenway property is to create a golf course of adequate length to be certified as a championship course. While they are only requesting to use approximately six acres of Greenway property, they claim that this allows them to combine this with approximately eight aCres of Billings property located across Bear Creek to create a signature hole. The combination of the Greenway and Billings properties on the north side of Bear Creek allows for the creation of a golf hole that will help meet the championship length desired.

Further, Mr. Peru stated that the inclusion of a golf course hole along a stream with Greek crossings is a desirable design feature for the course, and creates a better golfing experience. However, he emphasized that the Greenway property is first and foremost necessary to accommodate a championship length course and allowing them utilize the Billing's property on the north side of Bear Creek. Due to the location of the ponds, the riparian and wetland areas, they claim they are somewhat constrained in the areas to develop and the Greenway property allows them the opportunity to create a course of championship length.

Attachments:  •  Bear Creek Greenway Plan, Maps

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