With rezoning approval from the Plan Commission and pending approval from the Shelbyville Common Council, a new subdivision for the south side of the city is moving forward.
Forestar Group sought the rezoning Monday night of the 12.06-acre Sumerford property to single-family residential (R1) from business neighborhood (BN).
That property, combined with the adjacent 51.78-acre Fansler property, will become a housing subdivision featuring approximately 185 homes with starting prices over $200,000.
Forestar Group is currently developing Twin Lakes Estates in Shelbyville. With nearly half of the 105 lots already sold, Forestar is counting on the continued growth in the local housing market.
“The purpose is the continuation of our success in your city and the desire to continue to build single-family homes,” said Mark Mastrorocco of Forestar Group.
The company will develop the land and then turn construction of homes over to DR Horton (Westport Homes), the builder in Twin Lakes.
Former city councilman Brad Ridgeway, who lives in the Southern Trace subdivision which sits north of the properties, encouraged the Plan Commission to “get it done right.”
Ridgeway cited rushed housing subdivisions in the past with less than desirable traffic patterns. Speaking for several of his neighbors, Ridgeway said they are in favor of the project but do not want it rushed for the sake of adding more homes.
“You have the power to get it right now,” said Ridgeway. “It’s not a simple rezone because once you rezone it the process goes through and goes by very quickly.”
As the Southern Trace subdivision grew to the south in the early 2000s, Wilmington Boulevard ended with a stub road leading into farmland that was slated for development that never materialized.
The boulevard will be one of three entrances into the new subdivision with access points also coming off Progress Parkway and Amos Road.
The formal recommendation was passed unanimously. The common council will then vote on it at its next meeting April 5 at City Hall.
Forestar Group may now bring its plans for the land development to the Plan Commission at its next meeting on April 22 at City Hall.
During this meeting, the public may comment on the project.
