Firstly Phil, when we lose open space such as this, what we are really doing is to condone the loss of the the open space that replaced America's once thriving drive to build great public parks. After WWII, we stopped building those parks. Instead, we built golf communities. And did so, until very recently. Every time you pass a golf community, imagine that as a Central Park, Golden Gate Park, etc. That was our American "replacement" — right or wrong. It's the path we took.
Club West is 175+ acres of open space, and it is my belief that preserving as much of it as possible with golf would be a win-win. I see no path forward for passive trails and desert because no one is willing to pay for that. We took the water use down by 2/3 and left a very playable and enjoyable Precision Course. I think the 200+/- homes is a good compromise. I doubt anyone will ever get the full 175 acres packed with homes...too many obstacles. It needs to serve as drainage, hillside and there is not ample room for a road and homes in every area.
How would you like to lose 5-20% of your home value when the golf closed? Answer the phone and imagine the conversation when BofA comes asking for the Home Equity loan amount in full because your home just went from $485 to $410k...that would be unpleasant.
Anyway, we'll see where the HOA's come out of their lawsuit(s). The Edge group has never changed their promise — they just got caught up in a side debate and argument. Judges look for solutions — so, my expectation is that this judge will follow that same path. Leaving the group that owns the course out of the conversation makes no sense. All is does is fire up yet another lawsuit.