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Developers seek annexation of land near New Whiteland wastewater plant for planned-unit development
Summary
Developers presented an annexation petition to the New Whiteland Town Council for land surrounding the wastewater treatment plant, proposing a PUD with homes built by Ryan Homes and Lennar; attendees discussed buffering, deed restrictions tied to a 500-foot administrative rule, and a projected $135 million in post‑build assessed value.
Developers asked the New Whiteland Town Council on Tuesday to annex a tract of land around the town’s wastewater treatment plant and approve a planned-unit development that would be built in partnership with Ryan Homes and Lennar.
Adam Mir, an attorney with Rison Landel representing Graton Land Development, told the council the western half of the site is under contract with Ryan Homes and the eastern half with Lennar. "Once it's developed and all the houses are built out, we estimate around $135 million of valuation of assessed value for the improved homes," Mir said, presenting the developers' estimate of future tax base growth.
The petition seeks annexation so the town can apply its planning and zoning jurisdiction and proceed with a PUD review. Mir described Graton’s role as the land developer that will handle horizontal infrastructure and then sell lots to the national builders.
Why it matters: Town officials and developers said annexation would allow coordinated infrastructure and zoning, and could substantially increase assessed value and tax revenue compared with the property's current agricultural assessment (currently under $800,000). Council members were told there is no council action required tonight; the petition meets the owner-consent structure now typical under Indiana annexation law.
Buffering and wastewater concerns
Several council members and residents pressed developers on adjacency to the wastewater treatment plant. Developers proposed mitigation including a white vinyl fence, mounding and tree buffers and offered to deed nearby land to the town for storage or future plant expansion. A town consultant’s 20-year study was cited as showing space for an additional 500,000‑gallon treatment plant if growth requires it.
On the regulatory front, the town’s attorney and staff explained a provision in Indiana administrative rules that addresses residential lots and a 500‑foot proximity to treatment equipment. They said that including a deed restriction in lot transfers — a document acknowledging a lot buyer's proximity to the plant — allows homes to be sold closer than the default 500‑foot separation but does not eliminate the permitting and notice processes for future plant expansion. As the attorney put it, the deed restriction "serves as consent by the property owner" and makes later legal challenges more difficult, though not impossible.
Responses and public input
Several residents asked questions about where the property lies and whether the annexation would affect other nearby farmland. Bob Matthews, a resident, said he had seen an online annexation notice and sought clarification; staff told him the petition concerns the tract near the wastewater plant and not the parcel he had worried about.
Process and timeline
Mir and town staff urged a swift timeline: the plan commission was set to review the developers' concept plan immediately after the council meeting, and developers requested the council place consideration of the concept plan on next Wednesday’s agenda, contingent on a favorable plan commission recommendation. Staff summarized the filing deadlines and suggested introducing an annexation ordinance on first reading next Wednesday with final adoption at the council’s Oct. 2 meeting if the schedule holds.
What’s next: If the plan commission forwards a positive recommendation, the council could take up an annexation ordinance and PUD zoning in the coming weeks. The council did not vote on annexation at this meeting.
