After being in operation for about a decade, Pro Swing Golf in Commerce closed its doors in 2003, but a new owner now hopes to reopen the facility.
Pro Swing, located at 26 Allen Road and Highway 441, Commerce, was in operation beginning in March of 1993. The business’ last business license, however, was in 2003.
“This is kind of an upgrade to be more modernized with separate things for children that would be drawn to this type of facility,” said Kedrick Scott, a representative of Bingo Properties LLC.
Applicants presented the Jackson County Commission with three separate requests Thursday night, all of which were approved. They included a rezoning request to the 13.13 acres from A-2 to HRC in order to operate an outdoor recreation facility; a special use permit to operate the go-cart track; and a special use permit to operate the driving range.
The recommendations from the planning commission will go before the Jackson County Board of Commissioners for action Monday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m. at the Jackson County Courthouse.
At the planning commission meeting last week, the requests were approved, per staff recommendations. All utilities must be underground, a development plan must be approved prior to reopening, clearance must be obtained regarding cooking facilities on site and a hardship variance must be granted by the Board of Adjustments due to the size and configuration of the property.
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This may also include an issue involving the lighting at the facility. The commission granted approval with the condition that the existing lights on the property may remain in place, but only after proving they meet the current Unified Development Code.
Lighting is not a variance issue, however, and the applicants may need to go to the Board of Adjustments to ensure the lighting does not shine onto adjacent property.
Pro Swing has a driving range, putt-putt golf course, go-cart track and game center, in addition, the owners would like to add batting cages, a laser tag field, paintball field and a snack bar in the future.
The facility hopes to move toward more environmentally-friendly techniques in the future, such as using electric go-carts instead of gasoline engines, and eventually moving toward radio-control cars on the track. No new buildings are scheduled at this time; the business will operate out of the existing building.
