LANDIS — A deal to buy treated water from Salisbury could open the door for a large, high-dollar golf course development boosting the town’s tax base.

Atlantic American Properties, the Kannapolis-based company owned by California billionaire David Murdock, is considering building hundreds of homes near the Kannapolis Country Club.

Town Administrator F.E. Isenhour confirmed Thursday that he and Mayor Fred Steen have met with Lynn Scott Safrit, head of the company, to discuss the development.

It could cover 100 or more acres, apparently off West A Street.

Safrit said that while the company is considering the development, no final decision has been made on building it.

“We have just sort of started investigating and planning,”Safrit said. “We have no approval to do anything from corporate headquarters; I’m just doing my homework at this point.”

Murdock owns hundreds of acres of land in Cabarrus and Rowan counties, property that once belonged to Cannon Mills. After buying Cannon Mills in the early 1980s, he retained large tracts of land when he sold the mill a few years later.

While much of the Kannapolis Country Club is in the Kannapolis city limits, a large chunk of undeveloped land lies between the Kannapolis and Landis city limits. Atlantic American Properties also owns the country club.

Isenhour declined to provide specifics saying the company did not want information divulged.

Alderman William Parks Beaver said the development could have 400 to 450 houses, with a starting price of $200,000. Beaver said his information came from town officials who also indicated the value of the project would be in excess of $10 million.

Safrit said any plans are still conceptual. The number of houses Beaver mentions has been “batted back and forth for conversation” because that’s the number the current zoning would allow, she said.

She added that the company has owned land near the golf course and Kannapolis Lake for 10 years, and that there have been numerous conceptual plans for development. But there’s still work to do before any plan becomes reality.

“We’re closer than we have been in the past, but everything is market-driven and I think we would have to do a thorough analysis of the housing market in Cabarrus and Rowan counties and make sure the time is right for that,” she said.

Atlantic American has developed some areas along Kannapolis Lake in two phases of the West Lake subdivision. Although the city owns the water in the lake, Atlantic American owns the property surrounding the lake.

Isenhour said no official requests have been made, but the town has provided Safrit with information on zoning, development standards and incentive packages.

“We have received no official requests. There has been no official discussion or action,” said Isenhour.

The negotiations involve Landis providing water, sewer and electricity to the development, and in turn, the developers would seek voluntary annexation.

The town would expect to recoup its costs for extending utility lines from taxes and water and utility charges.

Both Kannapolis and Landis have utility lines in the area, but Landis may soon be in a better position to provide water.

The state has restricted Landis and Kannapolis from adding new subdivisions to its water lines without first gaining state approval because of the ongoing drought and water shortage.

However, on Monday, the Landis Board of Aldermen will decide whether to participated in a Rowan County-backed deal to bring treated water from Salisbury to China Grove, Landis and Kannapolis.

Landis will be able to buy up to 2 million gallons a day. In addition, Landis officials expect to recoup nearly 400,000 gallons a day, which is now being sold to China Grove.

By hooking on to Landis water and sewer, the development could be much higher density.

Isenhour said state officials have indicated that Landis could be in a position to extend lines and add major new developments.

He added that the golf club community is not the only project in the works.Isenhour said other developers have made inquires about the town extending utilities.

Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com.