No Development at Woodcrest, Township and County Officials Vow

Cherry Hill and Camden County officials held strong to their line Monday following Woodcrest Country Club’s sale to a Marlton-based developer:

Forget about trying to change the zoning to develop the property.

While the 84-year-old golf club sits on land currently zoned institutional—meaning it could be developed in a narrow scope, mostly for medical or educational purposes—Mayor Chuck Cahn, members of council and the freeholder board all reiterated their opposition to development of any sort after Marlton-based Cherry Hill Land Associates narrowly won the bidding with a $10.1 million offer.

“I am disheartened by the outcome, but our position has not changed: Council and I do not want to see this site developed, and we will not support any change in zoning,” Cahn said in a statement. “We intend to do everything in our power to keep this property as either a golf course or open space, and to ensure that the integrity of this environmentally sensitive piece of land is preserved.”

It was an even more blunt line from the county, represented by longtime freeholder and Cherry Hill resident Jeff Nash, who questioned why a developer would bid $3.6 million over a recent appraisal for the club.

“I am disappointed and outraged,” Nash said. “I know residents will continue to have concerns about the future of this property, and we still believe this is an ideal property to protect from residential and commercial development. We are going to explore all of the options at our disposal to work towards that goal, and we are now focused on speaking to the winning bidder about their intentions.”

Cherry Hill Land Associates and its parent company, First Montgomery Group AMO, which are owned by the Haydinger family, hasn’t released any information about the group’s plans for the property; a phone call to First Montgomery’s Marlton office Monday afternoon wasn’t returned.

The Haydingers control seven apartment complexes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware through First Montgomery, and also own five commercial properties, including two large shopping centers in New Jersey.

What kind of projects would be possible at the site isn’t exactly clear, due at least in part to a sizeable portion of wetlands within the 155-acre parcel, which Nash noted would require local, state and federal approvals before any development could take place. The property also has only partial sewer service, according to the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority’s service area map.

Despite losing out on the property, Nash said the freeholders will continue to work alongside township officials to try to preserve the club.

“Regardless of the auction, I still believe this natural area should stay a golf course or become a park that would be a benefit to everyone in the county,” Nash said.

For more on this story, read:

• End Comes for Woodcrest Country Club
• Possible Bidders File in Woodcrest Country Club Auction: Report
• Cherry Hill Calls for Tax Sale in Woodcrest Country Club Bankruptcy
• Woodcrest Country Club Could Go to Auction in May
• Woodcrest Country Club Goes to Auction May 20
• Woodcrest Country Club Closed-Door Auction Draws Members' Ire
• Woodcrest Bankruptcy Auction Turns Political
• Woodcrest Auction Bid Approved by Camden County Freeholders
• Norcross Announces Bid for Woodcrest Country Club
• Woodcrest Country Club Sold to Developer

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