Commission hears from future developers
Commission hears from future developers
by Eric Clark
News Editor
The Hillsboro Community Planning and Development Commission got a brief glance at Windover at Hillsboro, the future housing development which will sit between Third and Adams Street, Thursday night at their regular meeting.
Bob Voth, Craig White, and Don Westfall, members of Home Town Development, located in Lawrence, led a presentation about their future intentions to develop modular homes on the north side of town.
"We've come to Hillsboro because we think it's a classic example of towns on the rise," Voth said. "We're seeing the return to small towns and in many ways we're seeing that in Marion County. There's a boom in towns like Hillsboro, Hesston, and McPherson. These oases are coming into their own.
"We understand that there is a need for development. The schools here are definitely a magnet and a major draw for people. The recreation facility is second to none, it has all the classic recipes for a growing community."
The company, who just purchased and closed on the land Thursday afternoon, presented three tentative options to the commission to consider before their December meeting.
"We wanted to give you three different looks at how lots will lay out," Westfall, the team's architect said. "I want to be able to take input from you and get your opinions throughout this process. We hope to stimulate your thought process by presenting these three options. When we come back (in December), we hope to have a more definite design after your input."
The cul-de-sac design, one of the three options, was openly received by the commission. Planning and Development Commission chairman Gaylord Goertzen said that he'd like to see one of the main entrances of the new development on Jefferson Street, but was concerned how children's safety would be insured to and from school via the development. Voth said consideration to child safety will also be "looked into" in future plans.
Westfall said average lots will be approximately 60 feet by 100 feet and that in the cul-de-sac design, approximately 80 homes could be constructed.
"We will look at the lot size in the next few weeks and will determine just how many houses we could potentially build," Westfall said.
The development company said 15 to 20 percent of the homes built on the site will be duplexes. They also said that they have purchased two other lots in Hillsboro for potential in-fill projects and hope to have model homes built in months to come.
In December, the company is scheduled to return to present clearer plans for the future development during a special meeting. The commission is expected to cast a vote on rezoning the current land plot from agricultural to residential.
