Arcis Golf's plan to clear trees for a nine-hole par-three course at The Woodlands Country Club's Player Course will go before the Development Standards Committee on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 5 p.m.
The application from Woodlands Player Arcis LLC covers the property at 8900 Sterling Ridge Drive, where the existing 18-hole Player Course, designed by golf legend Gary Player, sits in the Village of Sterling Ridge. Arcis Golf acquired The Woodlands Country Club in 2025 and announced in April a commitment to invest more than $30 million across the 99-hole private club, according to an Arcis Golf press release.
Arcis Golf founder and CEO Blake Walker said in the April 29 announcement that the company aimed to honor the club's history while investing in its future, calling The Woodlands Country Club "one of the great private-club opportunities in the country."
Because The Woodlands is unincorporated and has no zoning ordinance, the DSC is the only body authorized to grant variances from the community's recorded covenants and development standards. Tree clearing on commercial property requires committee approval.
The tree-clearing request is separate from a Township Board-approved effort in December 2025 to seek proposals for a public-private nine-hole short course on the 208-acre South Gosling Tract, as Hello Woodlands reported.
Walmart, Burger King and church lighting on the docket
The committee will also consider a lighting variance for the Walmart at 10001 Woodlands Parkway, where proposed parking lot lighting, wall packs and flood lighting would exceed the maximum 0.1-foot candle level allowed at the property line. A separate Walmart item seeks approval for a wall to screen storage containers at the same location.
The Ridge Community Church at 10801 Falconwing Drive in Indian Springs is requesting a similar lighting variance for an existing parking lot and building upgrade.
Burger King at 3020 College Park Drive is seeking approval for elevation changes including new awnings, removal of an existing canopy and repainting of some brick. Dollar Tree at 1240 Lake Woodlands Drive faces action for modifying windows and doors without a permit and proposing black film on storefront windows.
22 homes face covenant violation proceedings
Twenty-two residential properties across eight villages could face legal action for outstanding covenant violations. The affected villages include Grogan's Mill (seven properties), Creekside Park (three), Panther Creek (three), Sterling Ridge (three), Cochran's Crossing (two), Indian Springs (two), Harper's Landing at College Park (one) and Alden Bridge (one). Property owners may request a deferment at the meeting.
DSC Chairman Arthur Bredehoft told the Township Board in December 2025 that the committee was projected to process about 7,000 permits that year, with roughly 5,000 violations identified.
The agenda also lists nine short-term rental applications spanning Grogan's Mill, Panther Creek, Creekside Park West, College Park and Alden Bridge. As of December 2025, 173 short-term rentals held permits in The Woodlands.
The meeting takes place at The Woodlands Township offices, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. The agenda is posted on the Township's website. Residents needing ADA accommodations can call (281) 210-3800 or email [email protected].
