The land is located one mile north of M-14 on Dixboro Road. If it is approved, the company hopes to break ground in October and open in July 2003.
Once the course is running, part of the proceeds will be given to find Ave Maria University and its satellite colleges.
John Petz, director of community relations for DF Land, says a portion of the membership dues for the Ave Maria International Golf Club will be given to Ave Maria University in Ypsilanti, St. Mary's College in Orchard Lake and the University of the Americas in Nicaragua.
"It's similar to a local project, Franklin Hills, which provides money to Jewish Relief Services. The money would go for scholarships and building endowments," Petz says.
The SmithGroup of Ann Arbor is coordinating the project. The designer of the course is Rees Jones Inc. Golf Course Design of Montclair, NJ.
Petz says the company tried asked three prominent course designers across the country to help build a course that has a minimal impact on the environment. Rees Jones had the best plan, Petz adds.The company wants to meet strict environmental standards set by the township and the residents, Petz says. A multi-use project called The Settlement, which spread across 450 acres of Ann Arbor and Northfield townships and included a course and 135 residential homes, failed about 10 years ago because of wetland concerns, Petz says. The company was owned by Monaghan then.
"This is an entirely different project," Petz says. "It's smaller, only in Ann Arbor township and there's no housing. We think this layout has the least environmental impact, and is good for the community."
He says the company hopes the planning commission will recommend approval for conditional use permits, a preliminary site plan, wetland use permits and a natural features permit. A public hearing was held April 25, with some opposition from residents.
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