Donald Trump scraps plans to build luxury homes on seaside golf range

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. (AP) — Donald Trump said Thursday that he is abandoning plans to build luxury homes on the driving range of the 18-hole seaside golf course he owns in Los Angeles County.

 

The real estate mogul granted a conservation easement to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy — a move that will keep the 11-acre driving range on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific undeveloped. But golfers will continue to use the land.

 

Previous plans called for construction of 16 houses on the driving range at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles. City officials and residents over the years have urged Trump leave the golf course undeveloped over fears about the property's stability.

 

"It's an honor to do it," Trump said in a telephone interview. "It's a very valuable piece of land."

 

Trump said he plans to build on other parts of the 600-acre parcel perched along the Palos Verdes peninsula.

 

Environmentalists said they were pleased with the easement, even though use of the land won't change.

 

"It's wonderful to be able to have some additional land conserved," said Andrea Vona, executive director of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.

 

Trump bought the course in 2002. It was formerly known as Ocean Trails Golf Club and went into bankruptcy after a landslide sent most of its 18th hole into the ocean in 1999.

 

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