Long-term housing at Chambers Bay golf course possible

News

In this June 26, 2017, photo, golf-course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. hits from the first fairway at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash., during an event celebrating the course's 10-year anniversary. Chambers Bay hosted the 2015 U.S. Open, and a possible return of major championship golf to the Pacific Northwest may depend on the success of a significant shift in vision for Chambers Bay -- the changing of the greens from fine fescue grass to poa annua grass, a dramatic adjustment from the original design by Jones and his team. Photo: Associated Press/(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

(Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com)

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. (AP) — The debate over long-term housing rentals at the Chambers Bay public golf course has ended at least for now with county council members leaving the door open to the construction of housing near the golf course.

The News Tribune reports Pierce County Council members voted this week to update the plan for the golf course complex in University Place.

It preserves the phrase “extended stay lodging.”

Councilwoman Connie Ladenburg, whose district includes University Place, argued the language broke a promise to county taxpayers that the park and the golf course would not be used for housing.

Her husband, former County Executive John Ladenburg, contends that long-term rentals could hurt efforts to attract more major golf tournaments.

Proponents including County Executive Bruce Dammeier say the villas would make it easier for hotel developers to obtain financing and the county would benefit in the long run.

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