Beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder. Are the taller grassy areas of Hillcrest Country Club appealing (and a way to economize), as club leaders believe – or does the higher grass signal a club, and maybe city, in trouble?

Sharon Miller, 417 Meadow Lane, whose backyard is adjacent to the course, told the Batesville City Council June 8, “If any of our other neighbors would let their yards look like this, the city would require them to rectify the issue ... The tops of the grass ... are now taller than our 5-year-old, who is around 42 inches.” She and husband Steve “are struggling more with allergies than in years past” and have noticed an increase in insects and rodents. Several dead mice have been found in a decorative pond.

After Hillcrest received feedback from neighbors, “they mowed a strip about 6 feet wide behind all the homes on our end of the course. We do not want to sound unappreciative for what they have mowed because we are. But we are requesting that they be required to mow everything adjacent to our lots.”

Miller and Dr. Jim Freeland, 418 Meadow Lane, learned letting grass grow on golf courses is a trend. The prestigious Legends and Meridian Hills courses have no-mow areas, but not near homes, and Crooked Stick officials have decided its grass will not exceed 5 inches in height.

Pizza Factory owner Cecil Ison reported recently a few out-of-town customers arrived by way of State Road 46. “They were asking me what was wrong with the country club with the dead tree and tall grass. They wondered if it was going under.”

Council President Ham Struewing said with Hillcrest views prominent on many entrances into the downtown area, he can see why people are saying, “‘What the heck's happened?’”

Mayor Rick Fledderman, who belongs to Hillcrest, has been talking to a few residential neighbors and club leaders. Since then Hillcrest workers have mowed along Walnut Street and near the Batesville sign and Ripley County highway workers cut grass along Mitchell Avenue.

He also decided to get a legal interpretation of city Chapter 95 on nuisances by an unbiased lawyer who neither lives in Batesville nor belongs to the club. The mayor also gave Steve Taylor, Greensburg, Miller’s letter to The Herald-Tribune, and letters from HCC greens chairman Doug Wilson and a Purdue University turf specialist.

The attorney noted that the chapter relates to “noxious weeds” – thistles, ragweed, poison ivy and the like – advising they should be sprayed, cut, dug out or burned. It was unclear how the ordinance relates to the golf course.

Fledderman said Hillcrest leaders intend to naturalize the course. No-mow zones will be cut twice a year, in the spring and fall, and weeds will be banished.

Council and Hillcrest member Brad Dreyer said, “The one thing we as a city have to understand, the club is not totally against trying to do something to be a good neighbor. Hillcrest, just like everyone else, has been going through a rough time.” About 100 members have left, which equates to about $300,000 in lost revenue, he reported.

“What they are trying to do is define the golf course" and indicate where golfers should not be.

Dreyer wondered where to draw the line, noting for years there has been tall grass on land for sale on the north side of State Road 46 near Mitchell Avenue.

Lawrence “Shorty” Mobley pointed out houses going through foreclosure proceedings often look unkempt. Former council member Bob Schaefer added, “Behind me there’s an 11-acre lot that has never been mowed.”

Of Hillcrest’s desire for a natural-looking course and residents’ penchant for tidy-looking properties, council and Hillcrest member Gene Lambert said, “I certainly see two sides of it.” He suggested seeking compromises with neighbors.

The mayor formed a city committee (himself, Dreyer and council member Tuba Narwold, not a Hillcrest member) that will meet with club officials.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.