Plans for 547 new homes in Millville approved

By NICK ROTH, The (Salisbury, Md.) Daily Times
Posted Monday, August 27, 2007 at 6:25 amRead Comments-->08/27/2007 -->
MILLVILLE -- The final site plans for the proposed 547-residential unit Barrington Park development were unanimously passed by the Millville Town Council.The development will include many different home styles, including 287 single-family homes, 148 town homes and 112 condominiums, said Lincoln Davis, director of land development for Beazer Homes.The new development will be built just west of Bear Trap Dunes south of Burbage Road and east of Substation Road. Work on the site could begin as soon as this fall, with model homes being built by February of next year, Davis said.Amenities will include a 6,400-square-foot clubhouse, outdoor pools and sports courts, Davis said. On the 158 acre development, 69 acres will be open space -- approximately 44 percent of the total acreage.While the developers ultimately received the backing of council, some residents are concerned the development will not reflect the current plans."Everything looks nice in pictures, but what about reality?" said resident Robert Linett. "So, I'd like to understand how you know these commitments will be lived to for this development or any development."Councilwoman Joan Bennett shared similar concerns about the developers sticking to the number of trees and other plants indicated on the plans."More than anything, we need our project to be marketable and plants and sod and irrigation make a project marketable," Davis said. "First and foremost, we need our homes to look good, landscaping is probably the best way for curb appeal."The town of Millville currently doesn't have an ordinance requiring a minimum amount of plants on a single property. Davis urged Millville to consider a regulation specifying a number that he and future developers can follow.Mayor Don Minyon said the town recently adopted a new regulation about landscaping but did not outline specifics."Prior to this time, we did not have landscaping as a part of our final site developments," he said. "Past administrations had not required that. However, under new codes and regulations we do require it."The Town Council was not in favor of considering a regulation specifying a minimum number of plants.