LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) — LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) — TopGolf is officially coming to Louisville. It's been a long and bumpy road to get to this step.
“We didn’t sway from the opposition, we had to inform them of who we are and it’s exciting we’re coming into communities that are this passionate,” said Topgolf representative, Tanner Michely said after the vote.
Metro Council members approved plans to build the popular venue at the Oxmoor location in a 20-3 vote.
The three ‘no’ votes belong to Councilwoman Marilyn Parker who represents District 18 where Topgolf will be located, along with Julie Denton and Stuart Benson.
A group of people living in "Hurstbourne and Oxmoor Woods" have been arguing against the driving-range-entertainment-venue since its announcement. Three couples have filed suit against the planning commission.
“I'm speechless because they don't know, because they don't live there, so they don't know what's going on,” said Peggy Barber, a Hurstbourne neighbor upset with Council’s decision. “They don't have it in their back yard at all and I was there first. They're intruding on my life.”
They fear it will increase traffic, the lights will be too bright for their homes, the customers too rowdy, and music too loud.
Councilwoman Parker did recommend some late compromises in the form of amendments, like dimming the lights to 25% after closing, and having business hours end at midnight. Both amendments were denied, but not without nearly three hours of discussion.
“I'm not asking for a yes or no vote, I'm asking for peanuts to try and mitigate some of the effects on the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Parker.
“We're doing fairness as an issue and we're cutting everything 50/50, two lights to two hour to one hour, we're going 50 percent to 25 percent, this is where we like to think let's be fair and give and take, I think we're going down a slippery slope,” argued Councilwoman Barbara Sexton-Smith.
There was, however, a small win for neighbors. Metro Council passed an amendment that requires the Topgolf poles, which stand 175 feet in the air, to be removed within six months if Topgolf goes bankrupt.
“We're going to put the utmost importance in being a good neighbor, we will reach out to them, make ourselves known to them, and just be a great community partner and a great neighbor to them,” said Michely.
“Overall, we're really pleased with what's happened tonight. We're pleased the Metro Council affirmed the Planning Commission's recommendation, and we're just looking forward to going forward and offering something fantastic for the Louisville community and greater area,” said Kendall Merrick, the General Manager of Oxmoor Center.
After the vote, Greater Louisville Inc. released the following statement:
“Louisville Metro Council’s vote tonight to approve Topgolf at Oxmoor Center demonstrates that Louisville is open for business. We applaud their decision and look forward to the construction of this exciting attraction in one of Louisville’s largest commercial centers along with the many jobs it will create.”
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