The Zionsville Plan Commission delayed a vote May 21 on a request to rezone nearly 600 acres for the Holliday Farms planned unit development after commissioners requested additional details and firmer commitments about drainage and building aesthetics.
Westfield-based Henke Development is proposing the mixed-use project, which will be anchored by a new 18-hole golf course designed by Carmel’s Pete and Alice Dye, west of Michigan Road and north of Willow Road. It is planned to have various home sizes and styles, apartments, retail, restaurants, parks and a clubhouse.
Commissioner Larry Jones expressed concerns about drainage, as Lions Park – which already experiences significant flooding – is downstream from the project site.
“Converting farm fields and woods into a golf course and community is only going to exacerbate the problem everyone knows exists,” he said.
He also said the petition did not include enough details about building design standards, specifically for the commercial development planned along Michigan Road.
“You provided no commitments as to what this project is really going to look like. My core concern is it ends up looking like what Oak Street does heading out through Whitestown,” he said. “I can’t find any level of commitment to any certain design. For every picture in here there’s a disclaimer, and that is a core concern.”
Matt Price, an attorney representing Henke Development, said his client would be willing to change the language to state that the development would adhere to the town’s stormwater ordinance and clarify standards for building aesthetics.
“(The commercial area) is the front door to this project,” he said. “The petitioner has tremendous incentive to make it an attractive design.”
Scott Alexander spoke on behalf of residents in the Brittany Chase neighborhood, which is adjacent to the development. He said neighbors had many concerns about the project when they first heard about it but that most of their concerns had been addressed. They now support the project.
“The developer has made significant revisions and significant compromises,” he said. “At the same time, Brittany Chase has, too, and so I think that we have really both acted in good faith.”
The commission is expected resume discussion about the development at its next meeting, set for 7 p.m. June 18 at Zionsville Town Hall.
