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Twin Brooks developer: We won't put Hyannis apartments on hold to discuss green-space alternatives

Twin Brooks Golf Course in Hyannis, where developer LMC is proposing to build more than 300 new apartment-style units
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Twin Brooks Golf Course in Hyannis.

The real estate developer behind a plan to turn the Twin Brooks golf course in Hyannis into an apartment complex says it won’t put the project on hold to consider modifications proposed by the Barnstable Land Trust.

The land trust would like to see the housing moved closer to Scudder Avenue to save more land for open space.

But that’s not on the company’s agenda, said Dan Lee, a division president with developer Lennar Multifamily Communities, or LMC.

“We had heard that there were other ideas for the site, but right now we are entirely focused on our project,” he said. “We've got a plan that we believe provides year-round housing in a very sensible location, and at the same time, it will permanently preserve a significant amount of open space.”

LMC’s plans call for the property to be subdivided, separating the golf course from a hotel called the Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis, which is on Scudder Avenue.

The alternatives proposed by the Barnstable Land Trust would involve using the hotel portion of the property, which is not covered by LMC’s purchase-and-sale agreement with landowner Wesley Finch.

LMC has control of the 40-acre golf course portion of the property. Finch controls the remaining 14 acres, including the hotel.

Finch told CAI earlier this month that eliminating the hotel would reduce Barnstable’s tax revenue.

“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?”

One of the land trust alternatives would retain the hotel.

The land trust and the residents’ group Save Twin Brooks are hoping to bring public pressure to bear as the project goes before the Cape Cod Commission. Proponents of saving the golf course say it could be the Central Park of Hyannis, with a variety of amenities as well as wildlife habitat.

Housing advocates have said the Regional Policy Plan is the appropriate place to set open-space priorities.

Jennette Barnes is a reporter and producer. Named a Master Reporter by the New England Society of News Editors, she brings more than 20 years of news experience to CAI.