Planning commission recommends annexation of 100.67-acre Stonehill site to Greenwood

The Greenwood Advisory Planning Commission on Monday recommended that the Greenwood Common Council accept the annexation and zoning petition for approximately 100.67 acres known as the Dougherty/Patel (Stonehill) properties. The commission voted 9-0 to forward the petition (PC 2025-036) with commitments that include a pedestrian trail and Hunt Creek Road crossing, preservation of healthy trees where feasible, completion of a traffic-impact study and coordination on a restricted donation amount toward future roundabouts at Honey Creek/Smokey/Whiteland roads. Tony, director of settlements for Arbor Homes, presented the petition and described changes from a prior plan, saying the revised layout reduces density on the west portion of the site and preserves tree lines in the middle and south of the property. He said the site totals "100.67 acres" and that the open space increases from about "25 acres" in the earlier plan to "approximately 27.68" acres. He also told the commission the company builds a mix of one- and two-story homes and said, "the average sale price is in the upper 300,000. It's just under 400,000." Alan Bethena, a nearby property owner at 6072 North 125 West in Whiteland, asked that the record show his concern about maintenance of a drainage tile that runs through his property and requested notice if the tile is connected to the new development. Michael Dean Heisen, another nearby resident, urged the commission to ensure that the development maintains "high quality standards" and that any commitments be implemented. Staff reported that the petition is a new filing from the same applicant after an earlier all-RM plan previously failed at council; staff said mixed residential products can create a diverse neighborhood but that it supports the annexation and the proposed split to RL (Residential Large) on the west portion and RM (Residential Medium) on the east. Staff asked the commission to consider seven commitments listed in the staff report, including coordination on trails and pedestrian crossings, a traffic study, preservation of healthy mature trees and work with engineering and planning staff on a restricted donation amount to support future roundabouts. A staff member also noted there is not currently an enforcement mechanism that would automatically protect trees from removal, and cited state and stormwater permit requirements that govern tree clearing. During discussion commissioners asked about transition to surrounding larger-lot neighborhoods, the number of floor-plan options and the scope of preliminary utility and drainage work; the applicant said preliminary utility locations had been identified and that they can provide contact information so neighbors can be notified about drainage connections. The motion forwarded to the council, read into the record by a commissioner, listed commitments to develop trails in accordance with the UDO and to provide a pedestrian crossing at Hunt Creek Road, to incorporate natural features and preserve existing healthy noninvasive trees, to determine a restricted donation amount for proposed roundabouts, to complete a traffic-impact study, and to coordinate required road improvements with the city engineer. The commission's favorable recommendation is advisory; the annexation and zoning change will be considered next by the Greenwood Common Council. The commission record shows the petition was referred with the stated commitments and the vote tally of 9-0. Less-critical details: the petitioner identified the parcels as generally located between County Road 125 West and County Road 200 West (Honey Creek Road) north of County Road 600 North and said the site sits east of Honey Creek Road across from an approved development under construction.