After a lengthy debate and strong opposition from local residents, the one-acre land buffer between the Arroyo Seco Golf Course Driving Range and the South Pasadena Nature Park may remain intact.

The council voted 3-2 Wednesday night against the full extension of the Arroyo Seco Golf Course Driving Range to the border of the South Pasadena Nature Park. Mayor Mike Ten and council member David Sifuentes voted in favor of the extension, while council members Michael Cacciotti, Philip Putnam and Richard Schneider opposed.

The extension item will return to closed session, where the city council will direct staff in their negotiations with the potential golf course operator, Donovan Brothers.

“We brought this out of closed session to let you know our thoughts,” Council member Philip C. Putnam told the crowd. “We need to take this back to closed session and go out and look at this property again.”

The Arroyo Seco Golf Course and Racquet Center Lease Subcommittee, along with the course’s potential new operator, wanted to increase the length of the driving range to make the range more attractive to avid golfers and increase revenue. During the city's presentation, several golf consultants stressed that the range's current length prevents experienced golfers from practicing there in favor of a longer range where they can see their ball fly farther. 

Councilman Richard Schneider, who strongly opposed the item, saw the extension as a debate between open space and money.

“I’m all in favor of Donovan Brothers doing their magic, with the exception of this little plot of land,” Schneider said at the meeting. “It may not be a deal-breaker for the Donovan Brothers, but it will be a deal-breaker for the city.”

The estimated $125,000 extension, which would be paid for by the new golf course operator, would include the installation of new golf tees, new greens and a 75-foot fence at the end of the driving range.

Councilman Cacciotti felt that the new fence would negatively affect the experience of tranquility and harmony offered by the Nature Park.

“What’s your vision of South Pasadena?” Cacciotti asked the council. “There needs to be a balance between making money and having a beautiful environment.”

Caccitoti noted that the one-acre space is full of biological diversity and shouldn’t be altered.

“This is not a wasteland–it’s a wildlife sanctuary,” Cacciotti said. “Open space brings the human spirit tranquility that we’re going to destroy.”

The debate, which lasted until 1 a.m., drew several local residents who passionately opposed the matter.  

“You are choosing to destroy habitat in our city,” South Pasadena resident Beverly Beaver said during the public comment section. “I don’t think you’re thinking about the general plan–to maintain and enhance natural resource areas.”

Mayor Ten urged the council to stop postponing issues and move forward with the extension.

“For the city to move forward we need to be ready to make changes,” Ten said.

A new operator will take over the golf from Scott Lohman on July 1.

For more on the driving range extension, click here.