Plan Commission recommends rezoning for 'Maple Hills' PUD, adds anti‑monotony requirement

The Martinsville City Plan Commission on July 28 recommended that the City Council rezone land adjacent to State Road 44 from Agriculture (AG) to Planned Unit Development — Residential for a new neighborhood called Maple Hills.

Cheyenne Hoffa, entitlements manager with 4 Star Group, told the commission the PUD would include a boulevard entrance on State Road 44, a front pond and fountain, and a mix of lots planned as roughly 155–159 50‑foot lots. She said the PUD language will require that homes wider than 32 feet have at least 50% brick on the front façade and that the developer will include an exhibit to limit repetitive elevations: "We're planning to have a fountain in that front pond just to help with aesthetics along State Road 44." The presenter said the project will use an existing curb cut at the Faith Church entrance and that roughly 5 acres will be acquired from Faith Church to allow that access.

Residents voiced concerns about fencing, traffic, and drainage during the public comment period. Robert Allen, who said his property abuts the proposed subdivision, asked the commission whether the developer could install a tall barrier to prevent children from entering hunting areas. "Do I like what's going on? No. But am I going to stop it? No. It's progress," Allen said when describing his concerns about trespass and safety.

Commissioners discussed adding an anti‑monotony exhibit to the PUD to ensure façade variety and agreed to include that exhibit as part of the favorable recommendation to council. A motion to send a favorable recommendation to the City Council, with the anti‑monotony exhibit included, was made and seconded; the commission voted to send a favorable recommendation.

The rezoning recommendation is advisory; the final decision rests with Martinsville City Council, which will receive the planning commission's recommendation at a later meeting.