American Homes 4 Rent, a public real estate investment trust based in Calabasas, California, is behind an annexation request to the city of Greenfield for 81 single-family lots in the southwest corner of Interstate 70 and Blue Road. Submitted image
GREENFIELD — A proposed annexation of nearly 30 acres onto the city’s northeast side for a rental-home community is on hold.
Sisters Beth Willard, Barbara Drudge and Deborah Watson made the annexation request for the cropland they own in the southwest corner of Interstate 70 and Blue Road. At a Greenfield Plan Commission meeting in April, representatives of American Homes 4 Rent, a public real estate investment trust based in Calabasas, California, discussed a proposal for 81 single-family lots at that location.
Greenfield City Council was slated to consider the annexation Wednesday night, but Briane House, a lawyer with Greenfield-based Pritzke & Davis representing the proposed annexation, asked that it be continued.
“There’s a potential development on the property, but that’s now more in flux than perhaps in the past,” House told council members. “…We’re working through a number of issues and I know the council has questions, I know your planning authorities have questions, and at some point in time we hope to come back and answer those questions to your complete satisfaction, but until that time we need a little more time.”
The council unanimously approved the request for the continuance.
At the April plan commission meeting, American Homes 4 Rent reported all of the homes in the proposed community would be two stories with two-car garages and fencing. Homes would be for rent rather than for sale, with monthly rates ranging from $1,800 to $2,200. Property maintenance would also be provided for residents. A pool, cabana building and playground are part of the proposal as well.
Officials at the meeting recognized that the housing option is gaining popularity across the country but also noted rental homes can be more prone to falling behind on maintenance and upkeep.
