Neighbors push back against proposal to build over part of Blue Heron Golf Club

Walworth, N.Y. (WHAM) — Some neighbors are voicing their displeasure over a proposal to redevelop part of the Blue Heron Golf Club.

A proposal filed with the Town of Walworth outlines a plan to build 47 single-family homes on more than 200 acres of the property, reducing the golf course to a nine-hole layout.

The plan would reduce the golf course from 18 holes to 9, according to the Times of Wayne County.

Joe Bruening lives right next to the golf course.

“My wife, every day, she wakes up and said ‘I love this house,” he said. “You know, it’s a dream come true.”

That “dream come true” could look different in the future.

“The purpose of this project is to meet local housing demands by providing new residential development opportunities within the Town of Walworth,” Passero Engineering Architecture said in a formal letter of intent.

“This action is driven by increased interest in suburban residential living in Wayne County,” the letter continues, “and supports the town’s long-term goals to promote responsible growth and enhance housing availability.”

But Bruening hopes to see the development built elsewhere.

“It’s (been) an established golf course for over 40 years,” he said. “Why let something like that go away?”

Dozens of signs along Rookery Way, Bruening’s street, reading “Stop the destruction of Blue Heron Hills Golf Course” could be seen Thursday,

Bruening was among dozens sharing their concerns during Thursday’s public comment portion of a Walworth Town Board meeting.

“Nobody’s happy about it,” he said.

Walworth Town Supervisor Rick Johnson said he understands people’s frustration.

“I understand it’s a big shock,” he said.

Johnson emphasized that the proposal was in its early days and asked members of the public to be patient with the town’s planning board, who are tasked with evaluating the proposal before them.

“It’s not one meeting and they make a decision,” he said. “That’s not how it works. You know, there’s various studies that have to be done; environmental impact, traffic, you know, and that involves the state, county.”

“It’ll be quite extensive,” Johnson added.

The proposal is slated to be discussed again during the town’s upcoming planning board meeting Sept. 8 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Johnson added that the meeting would include a presentation from Windward Homes about the proposal.

13WHAM reached out to the developers, their representatives and Blue Heron for comment and has not yet heard back.