Nearly 200 families could find a new home on the west side of the county if plans to develop a new subdivision move forward.
H. Gibson Land Surveying, a Greenfield-based development company, received preliminary approval this week from county officials for an expansion to Heron Creek, an existing subdivision off County Road 200N between county roads 600W and 700W.
The development includes 144 single-family homes and 26 duplexes on approximately 70 acres, which lies in Mt. Vernon School Corp.’s district.
Under proposed development plans, new homes in the neighborhood would mirror existing houses, measuring between about 2,000 and 3,000 square feet. Both single- and two-story homes are planned, and houses will sit on lots anywhere from 9,000 to 14,000 square foot lots, said planning assistant Teri Sweet.
At this week’s plan commission meeting, members of the board approved initial plans for the development.
The neighborhood also will include a private pool, playground and clubhouse, said Harold Gibson, owner of H. Gibson Land Surveying.
Three retention ponds would be built throughout the neighborhood, and a trail system would connect to green spaces throughout the neighborhood, according to the plans.
Traffic would access the property via an entrance along County Road 200N.
At the plan commission meeting, several residents who live in homes adjacent to the proposed expansion voiced concerns about the impact the development might have on traffic in the area.
About 40 homes are already built in Heron Creek, according to county records.
Cynthia Harris, who owns an existing home in the subdivision, said she’s worried about increased traffic along County Road 200N, particularly where it meets County Road 600W, which often backs up during morning and evening rush hours, she said.
But county highway engineer Gary Pool, who monitors traffic patterns on all county roads, said the thoroughfare should be able to handle the additional demand.
Neighborhoods generate far less traffic than industrial developments and factories, Pool said.
Ten acres of the proposed development would be reserved for businesses, Gibson said.
Gibson said he hopes to see a small retail development build on the site.
Under agreed terms with county officials, developers have struck out developments that Gibson said could negatively impact surrounding residents, including automobile sales, gas stations or mobile home parks.
A construction schedule has not been determined.