The club, whose main property is in Dallas while its The Hills golf course is in Plano, Texas, is offering to pay the city as part of a settlement of allegations that it improperly diverted city-owned water to irrigate The Hills. A previous agreement between the parties grants the city the right of way on an easement at the club’s main golf course to build a wastewater pipeline.
Prestonwood Country Club is offering to pay Dallas $50,000 as part of a settlement of allegations that the club improperly diverted water owned by the city to irrigate its Plano, Texas golf course, the Dallas Morning News reported.
That payment would be in addition to a previous agreement to grant the city right of way on an easement at its original golf course in Far North Dallas. The city wants to build a wastewater pipeline under that course. A city appraisal values the easement at $772,000, the Morning News reported.
The Dallas City Council is to vote on the proposed settlement February 26, the Morning News reported.
The dispute involves The Hills, a Prestonwood course in West Plano. The club’s main property is in Far North Dallas. Dallas officials believe the club diverted city-owned water from Indian Creek in Plano and used it to irrigate at The Hills. The practice began, they say, around the time the course was built in 1986, the Morning News reported.
C&RB reported on the dispute earlier this month (“City Accuses Prestonwood CC of Diverting Water”).
The family of Greg Miller, CEO and President of Henry S. Miller Cos., owns the two golf courses. Miller said in a written statement, “Everyone involved has been working diligently to find a reasonable solution—we’re confident we will reach a mutually acceptable agreement.”
Prestonwood would not admit wrongdoing under the settlement, the Morning News reported.
Two weeks ago, the City Council had a contentious debate, with council member Scott Griggs successfully arguing to delay a vote on the country club’s original settlement offer, which included the easement but not the $50,000 payment, the Morning News reported.
The city estimates that it could have charged $600,000 for the amount of water diverted over the years. With interest, the total owed would be about $1.1 million. While the settlement adds up to less than that, Griggs said, it’s still a “meaningful victory for water rights and conservation,” the Morning News reported.
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