Ridgefield golf range plan dropped, but a larger building is coming

The Golf Performance Center has pulled its application for a public driving range in Ridgefield. Attorney Robert Jewell told the Planning & Zoning Commission in a letter sent Friday that the applicant will return with a more intensive project.

The initial plan called for a simple outdoor range on a vacant 3.19-acre lot. This site sits directly across Ethan Allen Highway from the existing 50-member Golf Performance Center. The property is located at the corner of Route 7 and Haviland Road.

Jewell explained that the project changed during the review process. He stated that the design evolved due to feedback from neighbors during public hearings. The new proposal will likely include a large building housing various golf facilities.

About six residents spoke against the original driving range plan at Tuesday's 90-minute public hearing. Their primary concerns included noise, traffic, and the impact on property values. One neighbor, Suzanne Sherter, argued that placing a large structure in a residential area does not serve the interests of local families.

The applicant had already made changes to address earlier complaints. They swapped artificial turf for natural grass after the Norwalk River Watershed Association raised concerns about water quality. They also added an enclosure with acoustic panels to reduce sound levels.

The withdrawn plan included nine hitting bays and a gravel parking lot for ten vehicles. The range would have operated only during daylight hours and in favorable weather because it lacked lighting and roof coverings. A signalized crosswalk connects the site to the main center, but the range was designed to function as a standalone facility.

Jewell said the applicant will spend the next month revising the plans. He noted that the new application will be more intense than the low-key development originally sought. The commission will receive the updated proposal shortly.