Sec. 59-G-2.241. Golf Course in the RDT Zone.

The Board may authorize a golf course with minor accessory uses such as a snack bar, a golf or pro shop for the incidental sale and service of golf equipment, a driving range, locker rooms, and other similar facilities including limited lodging for golfers and guests. The Board may not approve a golf course if any of the acreage is included as part of the land needed to meet the dwelling unit density requirements in the RDT zone. In approving a golf course in the RDT Zone, the Board must find that the following requirements and standards can be met:

   (a)   The application for a golf course special exception was filed with the Board of Appeals prior to June 16, 1992.

   (b)   A golf course in the RDT Zone must not be located within 3 miles of any other golf course in the RDT Zone.

   (c)   A 200-foot open space or agricultural buffer must be maintained between a proposed golf course use and an abutting public road, an adjoining property that is actively farmed or adjoining property developed with other uses allowed in the RDT Zone.

   (d)   The maximum building height limit must not exceed 2 stories of 35 feet.

   (e)   All buildings and structures must be compatible with agricultural architecture.

   (f)   No outdoor lighting is permitted except for security and safety purposes. Any such lighting must be shielded so that direct light is not visible from any residence and would not adversely affect an adjoining road, highway, or other nearby use.

   (g)   Off-street parking must be provided in accordance with the provisions of Article 59-E. A golf course must provide at least 4 parking spaces per hole plus one space per employee.

   (h)   The Board must also find that:

      (1)   The use will not have an adverse impact on any neighboring use because of traffic, noise, number of patrons, level of activity, or environmental impact.

      (2)   Development is in accordance with Planning Board guidelines or other criteria for the protection of environmentally sensitive features including adjoining agricultural uses.

   (i)   Accessory lodging to accommodate golfers and guests may be allowed only under the following circumstances:

      (1)   use of the golf course and facilities associated with the golf course is limited to members of the golf course and invited guests of those members;

      (2)   lodging is available only to members of the golf course and invited guests of those members;

      (3)   not more than eight bedrooms are provided and not more than sixteen invididuals are accommodated at any given time;

      (4)   the special exception holder maintain a record of all individuals who are provided lodging.  Upon request, the special exception holder must provide a copy of the record to the Department or other County agency;

      (5)   a lodging facility must not exceed 11,000 square feet in floor area, including hallways, service areas, lobby and other space directly related or part of the lodging facility, and must be compatible with the rural character of the surrounding area and must be architecturally consistent with the rural character of the neighborhood and other existing structures on the golf course; and

      (6)    If the golf course is opened for play to the general public, lodging is no longer be permitted, and any structure previously approved for lodging may only be used in accordance with the special exception provisions of 59-G-2.241.

Any golf course in the RDT zone for which an application was filed before April 12, 1992 and subsequently approved by the Board of Appeals is a conforming use and may be modified in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(Legislative History: Ord. No. 11-85, § 3; Ord. No. 12-20, § 2; Ord. No. 14-63, § 1.)