McCORDSVILLE — Plans are under way for McCordsville to grow by about 124 acres on its south side, encompassing a budding subdivision and a property slated for more homes.
Town council members unanimously approved applications for voluntary annexation earlier this week seeking to add the Sagebrook subdivision and a 48-acre property to its south into the town.
The partially-completed Sagebrook subdivision consists of 169 residential lots east of N. County Road 700W and north of W. County Road 600N. It borders a boundary on the town’s southwest side. Sagebrook Home Owners Association, Inc. filed the paperwork for the voluntary annexation. The annexation was part of the subdivision’s zoning commitments with Hancock County, according to the application.
Bryan Burney, a McCordsville town councilman, told the Daily Reporter that annexing the subdivision makes sense.
“It’s more appropriate for it to be part of McCordsville than be an isolated part of the county on the western edge,” he said.
Because the Sagebrook Home Owners Association owns a majority, but not all of the property in the proposed annexation territory, state law requires the town of McCordsville to hold three outreach meetings on the matter. Those meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 16, 17 and 18 at McCordsville Town Hall, 6280 W. County Road 800N. At least three council members will be present at each session.
Emile Pettaway, a Sagebrook resident, told the Daily Reporter he wouldn’t mind the annexation.
“Unless there’s a tax difference,” he added.
Burney said he doesn’t expect Sagebrook residents’ property taxes to change after the annexation is complete.
Various providers already supply the subdivision with utilities. McCordsville would be responsible for police runs to the subdivision after the annexation is finalized. The town may also be responsible for snow removal, Burney said, adding sometimes homeowners associations decide to contract out that service themselves.
Carmel-based Universal Properties owns the 48-acre property to Sagebrook’s south. Clayton Property Group, Inc. out of Indianapolis filed the application for the voluntary annexation of that territory.
Tonya Galbraith, McCordsville town manager, said at Tuesday’s council meeting that Indianapolis-based Arbor Homes intends to develop that property.
An Arbor Homes representative did not return a request for comment on plans for the development.
Because Universal Properties is the sole owner of that proposed annexation territory, no outreach meetings are required.
The two proposed annexation areas share backers in common. Clayton Property Group and Arbor Homes currently manage the Sagebrook Home Owners Association, according to the subdivision’s application for voluntary annexation.
The approval of the annexation applications paves the way for the town council to introduce ordinances regarding the annexations at a future meeting.
