The owner of the Twin Brooks golf course in Hyannis says financial realities make it difficult to change plans for more than 300 apartments that have drawn opposition in the community, including from the Barnstable Land Trust.
Preserving some of the land for public green space would be costly, owner Wesley Finch said.
“I'd have to look at it and see: What's it worth to me?” he said. “I mean, I'm a private individual that has a private investment.”
Finch also has a purchase-and-sale agreement with a developer for the 40-acre golf course, which means he no longer controls that part of the property.
He controls the remaining 14 acres, which contain the Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis.
Finch said moving the housing onto the portion occupied by the hotel, which the Barnstable Land Trust has proposed, would drain tax revenue from the town of Barnstable.
“I would ask the town, are they ready to give up over $600,000 a year in sales tax and room tax revenue, which is kind of really good for the town?” he said. “And are they willing to knock down the number of hotel rooms in Hyannis by 232 rooms?”
The Barnstable Land Trust has proposed three alternatives to the development planned by Lennar Multifamily Communities. One alternative allows an option to keep the hotel.
But Finch said he questions whether it’s reasonable for Barnstable to lose not just the hotel, but all of the economic activity that comes from it, which is said is near $10 million annually.
He said only a few people will benefit if the golf course becomes public open space. The Barnstable Land Trust contends it could be the Central Park of Hyannis, enjoyed by many.
