PORTERDALE, Ga. — In a twist befitting a soap opera, Covington developer Brad Mitchell is channeling his inner architect-Pinocchio, aiming to transform a beloved golf course into a multi-use development on the ever-changing landscape of Porterdale. The 243-acre site of The Oaks golf course—home to many a missed putt and frustrated swing—is set to become a cornucopia of commercial, single-family homes, and multi-family residences. Just what every golf-lover dreams of: a view of townhomes instead of fairways.
City Councilwoman Kay Piper, channeling her inner cheerleader, has thrown her pom-poms in support of the plan. “This development is going to be spectacular, a real treasure for the community!” she proclaimed, probably while envisioning how many light fixtures will illuminate the soon-to-be apartment complex that just sounds so much prettier than “suburban sprawl.”
Now, let’s not forget our dear City Manager Frank Etheridge, who is trying to keep it real by explaining that the plan is merely a concept at this stage. You know, just some dreamy sketches on a napkin over coffee, likely reminiscent of every ambitious entrepreneur’s “we should start a band” phase. The specifics will surely change—because who doesn’t love a good plot twist in the development review process?
Of course, before we break ground, the Porterdale City Council has to wave its magic wand and rezone the site. Presently designated for single-family residential and light retail, Mitchell dreams of a mixed zoning that includes residential layouts and Commercial-General (CG)—which, let’s be honest, sounds about as whimsical as a new Walmart in a cornfield.
Once upon a time at the corner of Brown Bridge and Crowell roads, there lived a golf course surrounded by other such “light retail” treasures. The redevelopment proposal envisions a staggering 140,000 square feet of retail just waiting to poach potential golfers from their clubs. Who needs birdies when you have a new outlet mall?
The grand vision entails around 142 single-family lots that will play host to homes sized as modestly as 5,000 square feet to about 3,200 square feet. And for those who prefer a fusion of living and navigating the asphalt jungle, the plan includes townhomes and a 360-unit apartment complex. Because who wouldn’t want to share an elevator with their neighbors while lamenting the loss of the greens?
Now, what about the still-thriving nine-hole golf course? Apparently, it’s set to remain as a nostalgic nod to the former days when Porterdale Mills sought to charm workers with grass and clubs rather than housing plots and retail venues. Course manager Richard Schulz, part-time golf historian and full-time mediator, noted he has received countless offers to develop the course into yet another aspiring suburb or discount paradise over his three-decade tenure. “What do I think of this new plan? Well, let’s just say it’s got potential… if we ignore the floodplain,” he quipped, knowing full well that almost half of the site is at risk of hosting aquatic plants instead of golf clubs.
But wait, plot thickens! At least one local resident, Gladstone Nicholson, brought the drama to a board meeting last Tuesday, unleashing concerns about whether the lovely city could adequately manage services for an inflated population and congested roads. Etheridge quickly swooped in to insist that Porterdale is ready for action, claiming services such as law enforcement and solid waste disposal will be in abundance. Spoiler alert: Traffic will likely be a headache, but who doesn’t enjoy a good traffic jam with a side of suburbia?
Commissioner Alana Sanders chimed in, playing the role of concerned neighbor. She’s been fielding calls from residents baffled at how they could miss the construction-sign romance blossoming during the night. “It’s a classic case of miscommunication,” she lamented, her voice likely tinged with exasperation more than any actual surprise—the locals engaged in an elaborate scavenger hunt for a poorly displayed notice. Who knew development announcements could be a game of ‘Where’s Waldo?’ in suburbia?
In case anyone cares about the course’s legacy, Porterdale Mills had the foresight to craft that golf course for its hardworking employees back in the 1930s. Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves trapped in a land of nostalgia while sipping on iced lattes and flipping through plans for yet another multi-use development. It’s almost as if they’re trying to erase that golf course from history with each new blueprint. Fancy that.
