Lancaster County revisits contentious zoning for 1,000 homes off Charlotte Highway

A controversial plan that would add nearly 1,000 homes in Lancaster County is back, six months after it was first proposed.

Lancaster County Council will hear two items on Monday related to The Haven at North Corner. One would rezone 605 acres just north of Lancaster for it. The other would set a development agreement with homebuilder Lennar Homes.

The Haven is one of the larger subdivisions either under construction or proposed in the Lancaster area, after decades of growth further north on the Indian Land panhandle.

Both decisions have been postponed several times since plans were submitted last fall. The county created a special committee to review the project and recommend changes.

If Council votes in favor of the project Monday, it could be finalized as soon as next month.

The property sits on the northern edge of a site where Meritage Homes proposes 578 homes. Both projects are near the Roselyn neighborhood, which is already under construction.

The Haven, Meritage project and Roselyn would combine for nearly 3,400 homes. That’s nearly 6,800 residents between them at full build-out, according to county projections.

Lancaster County requests changes to The Haven

The Haven is off Charlotte Highway, across from West North Corner Road. Early in negotiations, Lennar agreed to $4.1 million in payments or land donations for a school, convenience center, fire and EMS station.

The committee set up to review the proposal added several requirements.

Impact fees, or charges on new construction to offset growth costs, are charged in the Indian Land panhandle. The county is considering expanding them as a growth wave is hitting Lancaster.

The committee wants a commitment that Lennar will pay any fees that may be passed for the area if The Haven is still under construction.

The development also wouldn’t become age-restricted, per the committee recommendations.

County Planning Commission members expressed frustration to Lennar after the developer switched Roselyn to a senior community. The move didn’t help with overall lack of housing as it excluded younger buyers, commissioners stated.

Lennar argued that senior living was always a possibility at Roselyn.

Traffic improvements are required for The Haven, too, including a statement that Activity Road won’t be used for construction or thru traffic.

More homes and businesses planned in Lancaster County

The Haven project isn’t the only one that’s taken time to come up for a final decision. Several other projects have been tabled or held, including:

• A decision on a 71-acre rezoning at Charlotte Highway and Laurel Hill Road is expected by May. The initial proposal for the site included a large shopping center.
• The county agreement with The Inspiration Network and CrossRidge is up for a change to allow apartments. The City of Light property is 91 acres on Charlotte Highway, with a development agreement dating back to 2007. The county sent the request to a special committee for review.
• Council sent the Arbor Meadows plan to a review committee last fall. The 47-acre property south of Lancaster would add 92 homes.
• The applicant behind a 48-acre rezoning on Charlotte Highway, near McAteer Road, asked to postpone the request. County planning staff and the Planning Commission approved of the plan, which would change the property to a business zoning.
• A 310-home proposal on Old Hickory Road was postponed at the applicant’s request. County planners and the Planning Commission recommended against rezoning the nearly 160-acre site off Old Hickory Road last summer.