Jackson developer proposes building more affordable homes in Bent Creek subdivision

Editor's note: The article has been corrected to indicate the size of the homes at Bent Creek will be between 1,200 and 1,500 square feet compared to the existing homes of 2,000 and 6,000 square feet.

Robert Litzelfelner wants to build a new phase of homes in Bent Creek that will be more affordable than the other 300 homes already in the Jackson subdivision.

While most homes cost between $250,000 and $800,000 in the development near the par-72 golf course, Litzelfelner's proposed seventh phase would allow for the construction of between 20 and 24 homes costing between $100,000 and $150,000. The size of the homes in the new phase would be between 1,200 and 1,500 square feet, compared to the existing homes of between 2,000 and 6,000 square feet.

"This phase is meant to fill a need and demand for that price range in our subdivision," Litzelfelner said. "But this is just in the preliminary stages. Before we spend the money and work out the final details, we want to make sure we're on the right path."

Litzelfelner hopes to begin construction on the first home by late summer.

But before the ground is broken, Litzelfelner must first receive approval from the Jackson Board of Aldermen.

Jackson's planning and zoning commission unanimously approved a preliminary 7.5-acre plat off Greensferry Road during its Feb. 10 meeting. The commission serves as a recommending body to the board of aldermen, which tabled the vote during its meeting Monday night.

The issue for the board is whether Litzelfelner must follow regulations according to a special-use permit issued in 1989 when Litz Brothers Inc. owned the property or if he must abide by different regulations imposed when he purchased the plat from his brothers in 1995. The other homes and undeveloped land are still owned by Litz Brothers Inc.

Jackson building and planning superintendent Janet Sanders said she will meet with city attorney Tom Ludwig before the week ends to determine which regulations Litzelfelner must adhere to. Regulations when the permit was first issued were much more lenient than the 47 regulations now, Sanders said. The new regulations require most streets to be at least five feet wider than under the 1989 regulations and require installation of water lines or each lot to be done by the developer.

If approved, the price range of the subdivision would be close to the average price of homes approved for permits during 2009. According to the city's yearly building report, 40 new single-family homes were built in 2009 at an average cost of $132,525 each.

So far this year, eight new homes have been built at an average cost of $110,000.

"We do need housing like this that is more affordable," Lohr said. "This could be a very nice development, but we have to work through the rules."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent address:

101 Court St., Jackson, MO