By Glenn Rolfe

GEORGETOWN — A developer of high-end homes is hoping to expand the town’s residential footprint with town homes catering to first-time buyers.

On Wednesday, Georgetown’s mayor and Town Council cast unanimous approval for a preliminary subdivision application for Admiral’s Landing, a proposed development featuring 158 two-story luxury town homes on 50.8 acres bordering Vaughn and Ennis roads.

The project was presented by Larson Engineering Group Inc. on behalf of K. Hovnanian Homes Inc.

“We (are) primarily looking at first-time homebuyers, … people living in an apartment, maybe starting a family” said Jonathan Contant, land planning manager at K. Hovnanian.

The property, initially known as Shipbuilder’s Village, was rezoned from Urban Residential District with a residential planned community overlay to Townhouse Residential District in March 2020.

Plans include a clubhouse, a pool, a playground and possibly a dog park. Amenities would be maintained by a homeowners association.

Wetlands and a tax ditch have been preserved in the design. Some 20 acres, about 40% of the property, is some form of open space. In addition, sidewalks are being provided on both sides of the streets.

Mr. Contant said plans adhere to the town’s design and construction requirements, with the exception of several waivers, granted Oct. 20 by the Georgetown Planning Commission.

“We want it to look nice,” he said. “The whole purpose of all these requirements is that the neighborhood looks nice, and it’s something that you want in Georgetown. That is the same thing that we want.”

One waiver fulfilled the developer’s request to substitute the town’s home foundation requirement of brick or pargeted stucco with painted and texturized concrete.

Councilman Penuel Barrett said he likes what he sees.

“I think it is a great-looking project,” he said. “I think it will beautify the area. Great job.”

Admiral’s Landing’s deep home lots measure 175 feet with appropriate setback requirements. Total parking would be 568 spaces. Intersection improvements, including dedicated turn lanes, and drainage upgrades are included in the developer’s plans, too.

The proposed 1,600-square-foot clubhouse, which Mr. Contant said would mirror those of other K. Hovnanian communities, would have an exercise room, a business center, a meeting room, bathroom facilities and showers inside and out, for use by the pool’s visitors.

He added that the development would mean a contribution of an estimated $51,000 for the emergency medical services impact and bolster the town’s base.

“Your tax base increase from adding these properties — if I did my math correct, based off numbers you guys have — over the course of the project, it is going to be $670,000 annually, once all built,” Mr. Contant said.

He went on to say that prices for Admiral’s Landing town homes would be developed in conjunction with construction costs, currently experiencing an upward trend.

Councilwoman Christina Diaz-Malone asked about affordability for those in the Georgetown area.

“I don’t know exactly what the data is, but our first-time homebuyers that generally are looking for homes in and near town will not be able to afford these units. Are you expecting that some of this would be influx from other locations, locating to Georgetown?”

Mr. Contant, noting that K. Hovnanian’s sales director was not present at the meeting, said he could not offer any price projections.

“I don’t have that info. Based on where the market is going now, I can’t give you an exact number as to what we expect to start these out. As we get closer, … I can give you an idea,” he said.

Council’s vote approving preliminary approval was 5-0.

The project, once it receives all agency approvals, will come before council again.

Mayor Bill West welcomed the development, saying it appears to be a positive step in enhancing growth.

“You hear that people want restaurants. They want different entities to be brought to the town,” he said. “What I am hearing over the past two years is the only way that is being done is by increasing your residents. And you are increasing the residents of Georgetown (with this project). So maybe we can start getting some of the higher-end restaurants and maybe a department store to look at us and maybe finally come to us.”