Builder proposes moderately priced housing project for Westfield

A residential development being considered by Westfield would bring to the city housing options that are more affordable to middle-income earners, city officials said.

St. John, Indiana-based home builder Olthof Homes has filed plans to build a mix of duplexes, townhouses and single-family homes on 107 acres east of Grassy Branch Road, between 191^st and 196^th streets. Under the plan, 430 homes would be constructed in total in a subdivision called Lindley Run. 

The project would be developed near the Northpoint Planned Unit Development District and M/I Homes Scofield Farms subdivision. The site is less than a mile from both U.S. 31 to the west and State Road 38 to the north.

The land is currently zoned for agriculture and single-family homes, and the builder has requested Westfield rezone it to a planned unit development, which would allow for the mix of housing types.

The development would be divided into three districts. District A, which would be built along Grassy Branch Road near its intersection with 196^th Street, and District B, which is planned for the southeast corner of the land, would be reserved for 130 single-family homes.

The homes would be a mix of ranch-style and two-story homes and would sell for between $300,000 and $350,000 on average.

District C would be reserved for paired villas and townhouses. The townhouses would begin at $150,000, and the paired villas would start at about $200,000. Altogether, 60 duplexes and 240 townhouses would be built.

In July, the average selling price of a home in Hamilton County was $324,236, up from $310,299 during the same month last year, according to data from MIBOR.

In documents filed with the city, Olthof said the proposal would bring diverse housing options to the area, allowing for a mix of first-time homebuyers, empty-nesters looking to downsize and others.  

“Lindley Run will foster and encourage the concept of “aging in place,” provide diverse active and passive amenities unique to Westfield and implement multiple housing options lacking in Westfield today,” the builder wrote. “With over 50 years of homebuilding experience, Olthof Homes accommodates homes for multiple stages in life while maintaining the quality of product and lifestyle.”

Featured amenities include a fitness trail with fitness stations, a picnic shelter, a fire pit that can be used by the community and a playground.

The proposal is expected to be heard by the Westfield Plan Commission Oct. 1.