City efforts to buy the Orchards Executive Golf Course could renew debate about floodplain regulations.

Lawrence city commissioners agreed Tuesday to start a “benefit district” process under which Orchards’ neighbors would help pay $280,000 of the $950,000 purchase cost.

But Commissioner David Dunfield said the purchase wouldn’t be needed if the commission had adopted stricter floodplain regulations last fall.

“If we want to control floodwaters in the city, we need regulations that will control floodwaters better,” he said. “I’m not ready to commit the city to ownership of that piece of property.”

The golf course is located east of Lawrence Avenue and north of 15th Street.

Dunfield joined his colleagues in initiating the benefit district process, though, in hopes alternatives to purchase — conservation easements, perhaps — can be found.

A rejected proposal for new city floodplain regulations would have forced prospective developers of the site to do expensive hydrologic studies to avoid effects on the floodplain. The commission-approved regulations don’t make such requirements for the Orchards property or any other property outside the 100-year floodplain designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Most city officials believe that residential development at the 30-acre course would create problems for its neighbors.

The property has a stream running through it but doesn’t appear on FEMA floodplain maps. Officials said that was because FEMA didn’t map smaller streams — not because the property wasn’t flood-prone.

The city in May offered owner Ed White the appraised value of $670,000 for the property, but White said developers might offer more money.

That’s when the surrounding neighbors stepped in. Tuesday, they told commissioners they would be willing to pay a city assessment of $280,000 to add to the city’s offer.

Dunfield acknowledged pressure to develop the site but said city commissioners didn’t have to choose between purchase and development. Melinda Henderson, a community advocate, agreed.

“You can just say no to any zoning request that comes to you to develop in the future,” she said.

Neighbors wanted a more secure commitment.

“There is fear in the neighborhood that further delay affords opportunity for development,” said Bob Dinsdale, a neighbor. “We would really like this settled.”

A hearing on the benefit district will be at the city commission meeting, 6:30 p.m. March 25.