New zoning classification paves way for new owners of Mason City Country Club to apply for proposed project

MASON CITY — The City Council in Mason City last night approved on the final reading an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance to allow for a new section that permits a special golf course development district.

The new owners of the Mason City Country Club property, The Legacy Golf Course at 19 LLC, a company formed by the Pritchard Companies, desires to maintain a golf course at the site, but they are also interested in maximizing the use and value of the property with potential things like mixed-use residential and commercial buildings, a hotel, a health club or restaurant.

The current zoning for where the country club property is located is currently Z2 “Sub-Urban District”, which lists a golf course as a conditional use, but most of the other desired functions for the location are also either conditional uses or are not permitted under the current zoning.

City Planning & Zoning Manager Tricia Sandahl says the process is already underway to consider the zoning change for the property.   “We received the application for rezoning at the former country club. That will go to the Planning & Zoning meeting in December and then that will come back to you for first consideration at your first meeting in January.”

The council last night on a 5-0 vote approved waiving the second reading of the ordinance change followed by the final approval.