Golf course or preserved open space?
Cherry Hill officials announced a plan to jointly bid with the Camden County freeholders on the former Woodcrest Country Club site on Wednesday, April 3.
The vacant property is up for a public auction on May 20.
Mayor Chuck Cahn and several council members convened at town hall, citing plans to preserve the now defunct country club as open space. A letter was also sent to neighboring residents to provide information on the future plans of the township.
“Woodcrest Country Club is an important piece of property in this township. Situated on about 150 acres, it is one of the largest remaining parcels of open space in Cherry Hill. What happens to this site is important to all of us, and it’s something I have thought about at great length over the last few weeks,” Cahn said in his remarks.
The mayor said that county freeholders have expressed enthusiasm for the plan, though specific actions for the future have not yet been determined.
If outbid by another group, Cahn said that council would not support any changes in the future from the current institutional zoning.
“We hope this discussion will never be necessary, as we are now focused on preserving this property for the benefit and enjoyment of our residents today, and for generations to come,” he said, reading an excerpt of the letter. “We want to stress that this is not just about a golf course. The mayor and council are committed to protecting our neighborhoods, and to preserving one of the largest parcels of open space in our community.”
More than $6.5 million in grants would need to be raised for auction participation. The township currently has about $1 million in open space funds, though more could be realized through the county, as well as state Green Acres grants, he said, explaining that public money would equate to public land use.
Woodcrest Country Club is located on the corner of Haddonfield-Berlin Road and Evesham Road near the Voorhees border. A website for the club, which had a posted notice to members last month to retrieve belongings, was recently removed.
Talks with the county on raising funds will continue over the next few weeks, Cahn said.
“We don’t want to leave anything for chance,” he said. “I think there are a number of serious bidders.”
Any questions regarding the upcoming auction and the township’s stance can be directed to the mayor’s office at (856) 488–7878 or MayorCahn@chtownship.com. View the full letter sent to area residents by visiting http://cherryhill-nj.com.
