A controversial amenities proposal was defeated by Twin Lakes homeowners.

The proposal asked residents to pay an addition $25 a month in homeowners association dues to benefit the Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club. In exchange, residents would receive limited access to the club’s facilities.

A private meeting for homeowners was held Feb. 6 at Decatur High School. The measure needed a 30 percent quorum in order to hold a vote — and a two-thirds majority of yes votes (66 percent) in order to pass. Of the 780 total votes cast via proxy and in person, 59 percent voted yes and 41 percent voted no. This was the second attempt at voting on the proposal. A Dec. 10 meeting failed to draw a then-required quorum of 60 percent of homeowners.

The debate centered on the private country club’s relation to property values in Twin Lakes. Many supporters saw the proposal as a small investment to prevent a drastic lowering of the neighborhood’s home values. Opponents decried the proposal as an unnecessary bailout that forced homeowners to pay for something they didn’t use.

“Those of us who worked hard to defeat it are very pleased,” Owen said. “It was a bad plan to begin with.”

The country club’s board of directors will determine the next course of action, if any is taken.

Tom Moehlman, Twin Lakes HOA board president, was disappointed in Saturday’s result as well as disrespectful behavior from some of the proposal’s opponents who “twisted the truth in statements against it.”

“I fear for what the future holds for the Twin Lakes community,” he said. “The board tried to present a very balanced view to the homeowners.”

Click here to read past reports on the Twin Lakes proposal.