Pulte plans 277 new homes in Noblesville

A proposed residential development in Noblesville would result in 277 new homes being built.

Gradison Land Development Inc. has filed plans to build the single-family homes on 133 undeveloped acres southeast of the of the intersection of East 169^th Street and South Mill Creek Road.

The site is surrounded by existing or planned neighborhoods, including Cherry Tree Farms to the south, Midland Overlook and Willow Lake to the north and Essex of Noblesville to the west.

The developer has requested the city rezone the site from the R-1 low-density, single-family residential district to the R-2 low to moderate density, single-family residential district. The project was introduced to the city council Tuesday and now moves to the Plan Commission for a public hearing that has yet to be scheduled. The scheduled April 15 meeting agenda does not include a public hearing for the development.

Pulte would be the homebuilder, and the neighborhood—called Magnolia Ridge—would feature two housing types and three series of homes.

Pulte’s Crossing Series features one and two-story front-load homes that are designed for families seeking to buy a home larger than the only they already own. The homes would range in size from 2,300 square feet to 3,300 square feet and range in price from $300,000 and $350,000. Those homes would be built in the northwest corner of the development.

The Landing Series will feature slightly smaller homes that include side-load garages. Those homes would range in size from 2,300-2,800 square feet and would sell for between $290,000 and $340,000. The would be built in the center of the development and south toward 161^st Street.

The Enclave Series exclusively features one-story ranch homes designed for empty-nesters. They would be the smallest of the three home types at 1,600 to 1,950 square feet. They’ll primarily be built in the northeast corner of the development, but some will also be built in the southern portion.

“By offering multiple housing types aimed at different age groups, Magnolia Ridge meets the city’s housing study recommendation to offer diverse housing types to support households as they move along the housing continuum,” Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, the firm representing Gradison, said in documents submitted to the city.  

The city of Noblesville commissioned a housing study in 2016 to evaluate its housing stock. That study found that much of Noblesville’s housing options are detached single-family homes and apartments.

The analysis identified a housing gap—which it called “the missing middle”—that included townhomes, condos, cottages and duplexes in more walkable areas with select amenities nearby.

It also called for a variety of housing types to be built in the same neighborhoods to provide residents with housing options that meet their needs throughout their lifetimes. For example, a couple might be looking for a larger home for their young family, but once their children move out, they might be looking to downsize.

Gradison has proposed building a community trail to connect the neighborhood to the Midland Trace Trail and Dillon Park. Additionally, the development features more than 45 acres of open space.

“Magnolia Ridge is a carefully crafted community that includes a distinct identity, walkability, multiple amenities, and connectivity to adjacent neighborhoods and public parks,” the developer said in documents.