Jonathan Isaacs with MI Homes showed updated plans for the two subdivisions that would be added to McCordsville if the rezoning is approved by the town council at a later date.
Lacey Watt | Daily Reporter
By Lacey Watt
McCORDSVILLE — MI Homes went before McCordsville’s plan commission Tuesday night to present updated layout plans of two subdivisions and request rezones for PUDs — one subdivision off of W 900 N and the other off of the corner of 96th Street and 400 W.
The two subdivisions were previously introduced by two different developers, but after backing out of the projects, MI Homes took over both projects.
Jonathan Isaacs with MI Homes showed updated plans for the two subdivisions.
The revised plan for Rockport would have its main entrance off of 900 W across the street from Traditions at Brookside, and the entryway will go along a country theme while still representing the Geist area.
The subdivision will have 129 lots on approximately 80 acres with home styles similar to ones seen in Pine Vail Estates, located off N. Carroll Road. The costs of these homes would range from mid-$400,000 to $600,000.
Isaacs said that changes included making the lots a little smaller, adding a five-acre park by the main entrance and conservation of the trees on all four sides of the plat.
“I’ll also point out that our goal was to save as many of the trees along the ditch as possible,” Isaacs said.
The neighborhood will also have a park area and want to involve the town in the process if they decide to do any theme for the area. It will also include walking trails, a picnic shelter and multiple ponds, including two in the middle of the site to help with drainage. Maintenance will be the responsibility of the HOA.
The new changes and additions for Rockport caused the lots to be smaller, but Ryan Crum, planning director for McCordsville, explained that while the lots are smaller, the density of the area is the same, 1.36 units an acre.
“MI has proposed a lot layout which features smaller lots but more open space, more open area,” Crum said. “Which they think provides a better site plan for future buyers and I would attend to agree to that.”
Crum also said that he noticed that almost no lot backs up to another lot directly in the new plan and said that is important to future buyers.
Overall, the staff recommendation in their report was favorable with a few conditions such as some architectural adjustments on the homes, adding more fountains to the ponds, tree conservation areas and relocation or elimination of two lots that sit close to 900 N.
The second subdivision of MI Homes is called Helm’s Mills, previously known as Rivendale. This subdivision plat is located at the southwest corner of CR 1000N/96th Street and CR 400W. This subdivision layout plan showed 234 units on approximately 118 acres with 46 acres of open space, which is about 40%.
Isaacs said that the project had gone somewhat far in the design phase, but for various reasons it fell apart. MI Homes has since redesigned and represented the plats layout. Lot widths would have a combination of 65 feet and 70 feet lots, with no less than 150 lots of 75 feet, which Isaacs said was to make sure they didn’t miss anything with their preliminary engineering.
The subdivision would have two entrances with the main subdivision sign on the corner of 96th Street and CR 400 W, which Isaacs said would be a welcoming point as someone would enter McCordsville.
The homes would be from MI Home’s Smart Home series, which would roughly start at $600,000 for cost. There are some homes located close to CR 1000 N that would require to be relooked at for architectural enhancement to the back of the homes defined by the ordinance.
As far as amenities, the subdivision plan includes open space, two pickleball courts, a bocce court, and a pavilion. Isaacs said at the meeting that they would also agree to two half courts for basketball.
One resident who lives nearby to the plat had a request to have his water be hooked into the the subdivisions to be able to get rid of his surface water. It was said that once the developers are at that engineering stage they would connect for better drainage.
For both subdivisions, one of the main concerns expressed at the public hearing were about traffic. One community member spoke about how adding 129 homes to Rockport has the potential to be even more vehicles. Another concern about Helm’s Mills was the increased traffic at the intersection on 400 W where there have been multiple accidents in the past.
Greg Brewer, town council president and plan commission board member, said at the meeting the town is not the one who owns the CR 400 W and that it is a county, CSX Crossing and state issue. Brewer encouraged residents to go to the county commissioner meetings and county council meetings on the issue because they have the power to help move that project forward.
The staff report said that they were in favor of the petition, but wanted a few elements addressed such as the architectural enhancements, fountains features and rental language that was not included in the PUD.
The plan commission made favorable recommendations for the rezones of both Rockport and Helm’s Mills and first plat for Rockport with conditions pointed out by town staff, with a continuation to the next plan commission meeting for Helm’s Mills to further discuss and work on the primary plat. Next town council meeting will be held at McCordsville Town Hall Oct. 10.
