KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) _ The Kalamazoo City Commission has agreed to sell Eastern Hills Golf Course for $2.2 million to a buyer with plans to redevelop the site into commercial and residential properties.

The Kalamazoo Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/1CaFQ7j ) commissioners unanimously approved the sale to JTM Management on Monday. The move comes amid debate about the use of the city’s golf courses and as officials work to deal with an anticipated $3 million budget deficit in 2016.

The 27-hole course will continue to operate at least until this November.

City officials and Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Association board members have said proceeds from the sale will allow the association to pay off about $1.7 million in outstanding debt on the city’s golf courses as well as improve the Red Arrow and Milham Park golf courses.