UPDATE (April 9, 7:45 a.m.) – Rich Robinson’s comment below brings some new information to light that would only be known by those within in the Dornoch leadership. The ability to spray treated water from Dornoch’s waste-water treatment plant is going to make this a very tough sell as a development from its first meeting with officials to actually selling the lots.Â
There were about 50 people — but only two bidders — in attendance at Dornoch’s Clubhouse, along U.S. 23 on Delaware Ohio’s southside, this morning when the bankruptcy lawyer began the bidding.
It was quick, Huntington National Bank (the lien holder) bid $2,000,000 and Ron Sabatino came in at $2,025,000 million. End of sale. Total time 10 minutes.
Sabatino, a real estate developer, was elusive to inquires about the development. A member asked “What are your plans?”
“Call me next week,” Sabatino replied.
Sabatino’s T&R Properties developed Sherman Lakes — site of the 2004 Parade of Homes – along Alum Creek, and several condo projects in the Columbus area, Willowbrook Farms on the city’s west side and was approved for a new mixed-used development last year at North Street and Curve Road on Delaware’s southeast side.
The only question Sabatino has was if he could close quicker than the requested April 17 deadline. To which the lawyer replied…
“I’m free this afternoon.”
This could be done and finished very quickly and Dornoch’s membership and the home owners are going to want answers.
What does the future hold for Dornoch? That’s the $2,025,000 question.
[EDITED, April 9, 11:30 a.m.] Why? It should not have been here in the first place. It was speculation on what Sabatino’s options and this isn’t the place to present them.
Photograph, by Toby Boyce, of Dornoch’s most known hole as it runs right along U.S. 23 in southern Delaware County.
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Hi, I’ve been enjoying your blog and live next to Dornoch. You should take into consideration the Perkins Observatory and light restrictions when talking about a development. We live on the opposite side of Dornoch from the observatory and it’s pretty dark over here.
Chrissy,
Thanks for the kind words. I totally agree with you on the impact on Perkins regarding a development.
I would hate to have a development in the area because of Perkins. We avoided one huge issue with the Wal-Mart and I’d hate to see a new development be the end of the observatory.
Toby
I WOULD HATE TO SEE THE GOLF COURSE GO. LET ALONE THE OBSERVATORY. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING FOR DORNOCH FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS. THEY HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF MEMBERS AND BEAUTIFUL HOMES THAT SURROUND THE COURSE. I FEEL FOR THE HOME OWNERS, OWNERS AND THE OBSERVATORY. I HOPE EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT IN THE END AND THE COURSE CAN STAY. IT’S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE AND HAD/HAS ALOT TO OFFER.
Christy,
It would be sad to see the course go — it has been a Delaware tradition since 1922. And I would hate to see it dissapear — and I have to admit that it really is a crap-shoot. Only one person knows the plans — and he isn’t talking.
I am not up on the zoning for that area, but if it would require more zoning to be completed — I don’t think the township or city are going to want to deal with the owner of these golf course homes that now have a view of a condo. We saw owners in this area run off Wal-Mart — will be interesting to see how it falls into place if Sabatino suggests an alternative use for the golf course.
Toby,
Regarding the opinions you have posted on the Dornoch story – and that’s about all most of them appear to be, opinions not facts – it would really be a great idea if you would keep them to yourself until there are facts known. This is a highly sensitive matter to everyone involved in this neighborhood, and your running off at the mouth with guesses about what Sabatino should or will do are nothing but uninformed guesses that make inflame the situation and upset the owners. Despite his background as a developer, Mr. Sabatino may in fact be a nice guy, better capitalized to run a course, and a hell of a lot better businessman than the former owner. Meanwhile you aren’t doing any of the residents, or the local real estate market, any good with your uneducated guesses.
Mr. Boyce,
I’m a resident, trustee and realtor® in Dornoch…and your blog seems to have gotten some attention from residents. That’s why I thought I’d check in.
We both come from communications backgrounds and I firmly support free speech issues. But when you say that you are “not up on the zoning for that area” and yet comment as a realtor® on the community’s future I was concerned that you may not be up to speed on other community issues as well.
The Dornoch Home Owners Association (DHOA) has just gone through a long legal battle involving golf course land zoning as well as an easement which should have been put in place long ago.
Much of the golf course was designated as “Permanent Green Space” to allow for the development’s housing density when the plans for the community were developed. Zoning officials are aware of this and have indicated support for the community regarding any attempt to change the zoning. It is a positive position…but as you know, never say never.
Regarding the easement we have been legally been granted, it allows us the right to distribute treated water from our privately owned sewage treatment facility (you knew about that I hope) over the entire golf course property. A zoning official indicated to me that a request to develop the land would be less likely to be granted as the DHOA has the right to spray treated sewage water on any construction.
Again, these issues can be negotiated or fought, but it is our hope that zoning support combined with our easement at least make it more difficult to develop the land. And one thing you were definitely right about, the community will contest any attempt to develop the land. We’ve already proven that.
An earlier writer mentioned the Observatory and how it might be impacted by and/or impact development. I think officials at METHESCO may also have an interest in how adjoining land might be developed.
One last thing…the private Water Treatment Facility and the golf course have been successfully co-existing for about ten years…so there is no reason for anyone running a golf course to have concerns about the easement. It is actually a great source of water for the golf course.
As of today there are 22 homes for sale in the Estates and 11 in the Woods. Let’s hope that the future of the golf course land gets straightened out next week and owners trying to sell get some help.
Rich Robinson
http://www.BuckeyeHomeFinder.com
Eric – Thanks for reading and commenting, we both are hoping for this to be resolved quickly and in a positive manner for the home owner’s of Dornoch.
Rich – Thanks for your comments and the information you have provided has forced me to reconsider the options. I wasn’t aware that the treated waste-water excess could be sprayed throughout the property — even if it wasn’t a golf course. I can see that as an issue if the development. Originally, I was thinking that for $2.025 million there needed to be a return on investment. As we continue to look at the development of the area — it is becoming more cost-prohibitive. Dealing with the DHOA, MTSO, Perkins, and not to mention ODOT is turning that $2.025 million into the cheapest part of the deal.
Toby
Your blog has accomplished what it was suppose to accomplish. It has stimulated conversation and involved the public. There is a healthy exchange of information and the community has a chance to get involved, contribute their knowledge or add their opinion. Hopefully, there will be more contributions and less barb throwing in the future.
*C*
Toby,
I showed a house in Dornoch Estates the Sunday before the auction. I told my client about the upcoming auction and basically said “who knew?” what would happen with the golf course.
I had forgot about the waste water thing… but now remember reading about it back when the subdivisions were developed. Thanks Toby for opening up discussion about the area. Interesting….
I JUST HEARD THAT DORNOCH WILL NOW BE DELAWARE GOLF CLUB. I’M SO GLAD TO SEE THE CLUB WILL BE STAYING. I’M ALSO HAPPY FOR THE HOME OWNERS AND MEMBERS. BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF YOU. AND ENJOY YOUR GOLF SEASON.
It is great news Christy. The new club will be semi-private and it will be very interesting to see what happens.
http://www.delawareohrealestate.com/2007/04/13/good-news-for-delaware-ohios-dornoch-golf-club/#comments
Hopefully this blog can be re-opened as the same old same is rearing its ugly head. The golf course is a treasure for the Delaware people. I think good management of the golf course could be quite profitable. But the current management doesn’t seem to want to try new methods to attract new golfers. The weather certainly isn’t cooperating this year either. Glenross is doing extraordinary business and is quite profitable just two miles down the road. I would suggest that the golf club hire those people to run the Delaware Golf Club.