Ridgefield applicants withdraw golf range plan to pivot toward larger facility

The Golf Performance Center has formally withdrawn its proposal for a public driving range in Ridgefield, signaling an intent to return with a larger, more intensive development. Attorney Robert Jewell, representing applicant Roger Knick and EAP Property LLC, sent a letter to the Planning & Zoning Commission on Friday to announce the withdrawal. He stated the team plans to use the next month to retool and submit a new application for a large building containing additional golf facilities.

The withdrawn plan called for a public driving range on a vacant 3.19-acre lot at 0 Ethan Allen Highway. The site is located directly across the street from the existing 50-member Golf Performance Center, at the corner of Route 7 and Haviland Road. The design included nine hitting bays and a 10-space gravel parking lot. The range would have operated as a standalone facility without lighting, limiting use to favorable daylight hours.

The proposal faced opposition during a 90-minute public hearing held on Tuesday. Approximately half a dozen residents spoke against the plan, raising concerns about noise, traffic, and property values. Previous revisions had addressed some complaints, such as replacing artificial turf with natural grass in response to the Norwalk River Watershed Association and adding acoustic panels to an enclosure. Despite these changes, neighbors remained skeptical of the impact on the residential area.

Suzanne Sherter, a resident living near the proposed facility, questioned the compatibility of the project with the town's character. She noted that Ridgefield prides itself on its beauty and welcoming atmosphere for families. Sherter argued that placing a large structure in a residential neighborhood does not serve the local community effectively.

Jewell explained that the scope of the project expanded due to the application process rather than original intent. He wrote that the plans were modified primarily based on neighbor concerns expressed during the hearing. The applicant described the initial concept as a low-key use with minimal site disturbance, but acknowledged that the current path leads to a more substantial construction project.

The driving range was designed to allow nonmembers to practice, as full use of the existing center requires membership. A signalized crosswalk already connects the two sites. The application noted that additional parking and support facilities at the main center could be utilized if needed, though the range itself would remain independent.

Jewell told CT Insider that the upcoming application will propose a building filled with golf facilities. The commission is expected to receive the new proposal after the team completes its revisions over the next few weeks.