Macon Telegraph; July 12th, 2005

Perry Developer Seeks to Lower Resort's Density

By Mark Vanderhoek
Telegraph Staff Writer

PERRY - The developer of Houston Springs, a 494-acre resort in the city, asked the Perry Planning Commission on Monday for formal approval of a new development plan that reduces the density of the development and relocates its commercial district.

The planning commission endorsed the changes that Woodland Property Partners Inc. requested, which changed the concept of the development and allowed two adjoining commercial tracts to be absorbed into the project. The changes, to be heard by the Perry City Council next month, would reduce the density in the development from more than 2,100 homes to about 1,500.

"Basically, they are changing some of the development standards of the property so we decided to let you go ahead and look at the whole thing," Perry community planner Mike Beecham said.

Jeff Moredock, president of Woodland, said that among other changes, the company wants to build the commercial portion of the development in a more central location along U.S. 341 to create a "downtown" feel.

"We're pleased to say that we are lowering the density, and we are increasing the green spaces and recreation areas available to the people who purchase homes" in the resort, Moredock told the commission.

The other changes would give Woodland more flexibility to offer different housing styles, including patio homes, several types of single-family attached homes and condominiums, Moredock said.

The plan now calls for 10 "villages," similar to subdivisions, within the development. Each would be developed in different styles of homes and with separate amenities and green space, Moredock said. The resort would be connected by a series of roads and trails, along with the golf course, Moredock said. The first village is nearly complete, along with the first nine holes of the golf course, and work has begun on the community's amenity area, he said.

Woodland plans to sell the villages to different developers to help expedite construction, as the large scale of the development made it difficult for Woodland to complete by itself, Moredock said.

"It's a daunting task to build 1,500 homes that quickly in Middle Georgia," Moredock said.

Woodland has sold one of the villages to Alliance Development Corp. of Atlanta and is shopping a second one, Moredock said.

He also pointed out that although the company is getting a larger number of housing styles, it was still aiming to compete with other developments for the 55-and-older market on its major competitive advantage: price.

"This is the least-expensive active adult resort community with a golf course in the country," Moredock said.

The planning commissioners praised Woodland's new vision for the property, voting unanimously to recommend the changes. The Perry City Council will discuss the matter Aug. 2.

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