By IRIS KUO
Chronicle correspondent

A public meeting will be held to discuss options for the Atascocita Golf Course and if the homeowners association should impose a $360 annual fee increase to help purchase the property. The meeting will be held on March 22 at 7 p.m. at the Pine Forest Elementary School cafeteria.

Atascocita Community Improvement Association president Phil Baumann said that the board will present what they’ve learned about the feasibility of what could be a $2.5 million purchase. The golf course property could be turned into grounds for walking, hiking, golfing and other activities. The plan would impose a $30 per month fee from all 2,500 homeowners, which would raise current annual fees from $475 to $835.

“We’re hoping to let everybody see our ideas and what is doable within the community,” Baumann said. He declined to reveal names of interested investors who may help the ACIA purchase the land.

The issue is expected to draw a large crowd. Previous monthly meetings have overflowed the normal venue, a small conference room, and have drawn fervent opinions from residents.

Homeowners have been divided over whether or not to buy the golf course, with some worrying about property values and others opposing the increased fees and criticizing the board for going so far in efforts to preserve the property.

The board will also present information about a separate proposal from an interested partner on the golf course, Caminata Management, which would require $100,000 a month in dues to improve and operate the course. The homeowners association Web site, however, states that “ACIA needs to purchase the land.”

The unprofitable golf course was purchased by Pinehurst Trail Holdings, LLC from ClubCorp of Dallas last year, and stayed open for six months to solicit interested buyers. Lacking a successful deal and a failed membership drive, which needed to raise $50,000 per month to keep the country club and golf course operating, it closed Dec. 31.

Of the 2,500 homes in the area governed by the ACIA, about 450 homes reside along the fairway.

After this meeting, the matter will be put to a vote, with a special meeting held 15 days before the election. Board member Kyle Adams said ballots will be mailed to each household. In order to get a decision that sticks, at least 60 percent of homeowners must vote. If turnout is too low, a second election would only need 30 percent to vote.

However, the board’s efforts have drawn fire. Residents who opposed the purchase note that the majority of the board lives on the golf course. Some have campaigned door-to-door to inform neighbors and to collect signatures for a petition stating their opposition to the proposed plan.

Baumann, who does not live along the fairway, confirmed that most board members owned golf course-area homes but said he did not think that influenced them. Rather, he said, they wanted to give residents options.

“Every property owner gets to vote for or against everything we do. If they vote against, then the ACIA has to respect that and then step aside,” Baumann said.

Other residents have said the community needs to support the golf course.

“Something like this has real potential to drop property values,” said Bob Garlington, a resident since 2007 who lives on the golf course. “I think there’s a lot of fear and suspicion where there shouldn’t be. The board is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.”

For others, the proposed fees would be a financial burden that would yield little in benefits.

“If they start charging us $30 to $40 a month and keep raising that, I’ll probably sell my house anyway,” said Peggy Alcorn, a retiree on a fixed income who lives near the golf course. “Even if (my property value) goes down some, we’re going to be up to our necks in debt.”