CAMBY, Indiana is home to the Heartland Crossing neighborhood, a massive 2,500-home development with a golf course, The Links at Heartland Crossing, as a central fixture. Recently, a petition to rezone the golf course to residential use has sparked controversy among residents and developers in the area. The community is located 16 miles southwest of downtown Indianapolis and is divided into several subsections with different styles of residences. Amidst uncertainties about the future of the golf course, proposals to buy and redevelop the land have come and gone over the years. However, a recent proposal by Gradison Land Development to rezone the land for residential use has prompted strong opposition from Heartland Crossing residents.
Residents are concerned about the density of the proposed development, with plans for 600 homes on the 200-acre golf course. This has ignited a debate on whether residential development should replace existing green spaces in neighborhoods. While residents recognize the need for growth in Morgan County, they advocate for controlled growth to maintain green spaces and avoid overdevelopment. The rezoning petition is scheduled to go before the Morgan County Advisory Plan Commission on September 9, and residents are prepared to fight against it. The ultimate decision lies with the zoning board, and the owner of the golf course, Ron Overton, is open to selling for redevelopment if the proper approvals are obtained.
The Links at Heartland Crossing, which opened in 1998, has been a challenging and popular course in the area, hosting tournaments and attracting competitive golfers. However, the cost of maintaining the golf course has become increasingly burdensome for Overton, with annual grounds maintenance costs reaching $600,000. Despite efforts to revitalize the course, Overton has been unable to find a sustainable solution, leading to offers for redevelopment of the land. The current petition proposes completely bulldozing the golf course to make way for residential houses, a prospect that has sparked backlash from residents.
The history of golf courses adjacent to residential communities in Indiana dates back to the late 1990s and early 2000s when many new courses were built. While the popularity of golf has seen a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, the costs of running a golf course have also risen. Overton’s experience with The Links at Heartland Crossing highlights the challenges faced by golf course owners in maintaining profitability while meeting increasing operational costs. Despite the emotional attachment residents have to the golf course, the reality of the situation is that it is a business with narrow profit margins.
As the rezoning petition moves forward, tensions between developers and residents in Heartland Crossing remain high. The outcome of the decision will have far-reaching implications for the future of the neighborhood and the green spaces within it. Both sides are preparing to make their case before the commission, with residents advocating for controlled growth and preservation of green spaces, while developers push for residential development to meet growing demand in Morgan County. The fate of The Links at Heartland Crossing hangs in the balance, with the zoning board set to determine the best use of the property in the coming months.
