As golfers swung away Thursday evening at the North Forty golf course, a group of about 80 neighbors, developers and city officials gathered just up the street to discuss the course’s future.

Jim Tomasek, who plans to buy the property at 84th and Adams streets for nearly $2.5 million, is proposing 66 homes on about 30 acres of the existing course and surrounding areas, while the other 18 acres would be developed with a large grocery store, restaurants, a bank and other retail uses.

Tomasek and developers Bennie McCombs and Bill Langdon presented their plans to residents of the nearby Regent Heights neighborhood during a meeting at Faith Lutheran Church, 87th and Adams.

Most neighbors said they do not want the golf course to be developed. They suggested that the new owners continue to keep the course open or sell it to someone who will, including perhaps the city.

Some of the neighbors have even started a Web site, www.preservenorth40.org.

But Peter Katt, an attorney for the developers, said that’s not going to happen.

“This will be developed,” he said. “It will not be a golf course.”

The developers have not yet applied to the city, but plans at Thursday night’s meeting show about 143,000 square feet of commercial space, anchored by an 82,500-square-foot grocery store.

At that size, the store would be about the size of the Super Saver at 27th and Pine Lake Road and slightly larger than the Hy-Vee proposed for 50th and O streets.

Katt said the developers have had discussions with potential tenants, but he declined to name them.

Tomasek said the home prices would range from about $190,000 to $300,000.

Beyond not wanting the site developed at all, neighbors brought up concerns about drainage, traffic and the potential effect on property values the development might bring.

Some neighbors said they paid a premium to live near a golf course and worry about their ability to sell.

Bob Michl said he’s had his house on the market since April and had to lower the price after the sale of the golf course was announced.

David Kohrell, who is one of the neighbors spearheading the opposition to the project, questioned the need to develop that corner, when the two corners to the east already are zoned for commercial development.

He said the golf course is one of the few enjoyable sights for drivers entering Lincoln on 84th Street.

“Let’s not recreate 27th Street,” he said.

Not everyone at the meeting opposed the development. Several said northeast Lincoln needs to grow and needs a grocery store.

Alan Mitchell agreed, saying he wished the proposed Wal-Mart had been approved.

Mitchell said he’d like to see the golf course remain, but feels it is the property owner’s right to sell it and it is the new owner’s right to attempt to develop it.

The development is by no means a done deal.

The land is currently zoned agricultural and would need a zoning change for the residential portion.

The commercial part, in addition to needing a zoning change, also will require an amendment to Lincoln’s land use plan. Failure to get such an amendment played a role in the downfall of the nearby Wal-Mart proposal.

Katt, the attorney, said his clients hope to file an application by mid- to -late July.

Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.