Martinez Tribune The website of the Martinez Tribune.
MARTINEZ, Calif. – Owners of the former Pine Meadow Golf Course have filed suit against a local organization rallying to save the land from further development.
The property at 451 Vine Hill Way, Martinez, is currently designated as open space, though it’s earmarked for a housing development.
Land owners DeNova Homes, Civic Martinez LLC and Christine Dean are alleging the Friends group have misrepresented facts about the proposed development of the property, made defamatory statements against the owners, and misled the public about the closed golf course and its owners.
“We believe this lawsuit is without merit and we will prevail in court,” Friends founder Tim Platt told the Tribune. “We stand behind the accuracy of what we have said and published, and have striven to be as responsible as possible in our actions and communications.”
Platt said the group is seeking legal advice on how to proceed, and also asking for public support through social media, volunteering and donations.
Meanwhile, DeNova Homes is expected to submit another proposed development for the property. It’ll be up to City Council to approve or deny a re-designation of the site.
It’s unknown if the Friends will launch another referendum effort should council approve residential development of the site, however, Platt stated the lawsuit “will not deter Friends of Pine Meadow from our mission of urging our mayor and City Council to protect our open space and parkland, and buy Pine Meadow permanent open space/recreation for public use in perpetuity.”
