In the latest twist in the fight over development at Woodcrest Country Club, the property’s owner, First Montgomery Group, filed a lawsuit against Cherry Hill Township on Oct. 9.
In an email, Matthew Haydinger, a principal for First Montgomery Group, said the lawsuit was filed after the township removed sewer service from the site.
“When the town then moved to have Woodcrest stripped of its property rights by removing it from the sewer service, we needed to act to preserve our property rights,” he said.
First Montgomery Group purchased the country club in May, outbidding the township and Camden County for the property. A release from Camden County stated that the group bid almost $4 million higher than the appraised value of the property.
There have been numerous meetings between First Montgomery and Cherry Hill officials about development of the property.
Haydinger said that First Montgomery still intends to maintain Woodcrest Country Club while developing a portion of the property that allows for medical, institutional and senior housing.
Bridget Palmer, spokeswoman for Cherry Hill, said that the township’s position remains unchanged and that the township does not support any kind of development on the property.
“The mayor has made it clear in multiple meetings with the owners that we don’t support development,” she said.
Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, Cherry Hill Mayor Chuck Cahn released a statement saying, “From day one, the First Montgomery Group has spewed nothing but lies and deceit to the residents of Cherry Hill.”
Cahn’s statement goes on to say that First Montgomery Group promised to maintain the golf course in May, but now wants to build 844 housing units.
Palmer said in response to First Montgomery Group’s statement that its claim of having the fundamental right to build affordable housing at Woodcrest is false.
“We don’t have any legal obligation to build on Woodcrest,” she said.
Fair Share Housing Center, which has been in litigation with the township over a lack of affordable housing, said that Cherry Hill’s latest Affordable Housing Plan does dictate that it needs to develop at Woodcrest. Kevin Walsh, a lawyer for Fair Share Housing, said the plan lists Woodcrest as one of numerous properties that must accommodate affordable housing if they become available.
Walsh feels as though Cherry Hill has been ducking its way around the issue of the lack of affordable housing in the township. He said the township is required to provide 1,821 units of affordable housing and that it falls short of that mark.
“When it comes to these cases, some municipalities feel more comfortable putting their head into the sand than dealing with the reality of the issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Palmer said that, contrary to Fair Share Housing Center’s claims, the affordable housing plan does not dictate that development must occur at Woodcrest Country Club. She cites the Affordable Housing Plan as stating that there are a number of properties that can be developed and it doesn’t have to necessarily be the country club.
Woodcrest Country Club remains a fully operating golf course according to First Montgomery Group, hosting outings for companies and charitable organizations.
