Avon Town Council Approves Village Development Plan Amendments

Lindsay Hardy cast the lone dissenting vote — 6-1 — against the Village (at Avon) development plan amendments. She couldn't bring herself to approve the entire package. "I do agree with some of these PUD amendments, but there are a number that I do not agree with, so I can't, in good reasoning, vote yes on this," she said. The Avon Town Council's decision will impact the East Avon planned unit development, a project decades in the making.

The town and Traer Creek, LLC, have worked together on Village development since its inception. Recent projects include the Marriott SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites hotels, the Maverik gas station, and the Piedmont apartment complex. The latest amendments aim to address future infrastructure development, development standards, and land use within the planned unit development (PUD). Michael Lindholm with Traer Creek said the company is willing to finance the infrastructure investment needed for the first phase of development, which is expected to include a Whole Foods location.

The Village (at Avon) was annexed into the town of Avon in 1998, with infrastructure construction beginning in the early 2000s. To date, public infrastructure investments total approximately $84 million. This includes transportation improvements, utilities, and roadway construction. Additional infrastructure projects are currently underway, following updates to the area's master plan. The planning process, which began in 2021, involved coordination with the town and the Village metro district on infrastructure design, including roadway and stormwater systems.

Traer Creek and the town jointly filed the application for amendments, which underwent multiple reviews over the past year. The town's Planning and Zoning Commission approved the application before it advanced to the Avon Town Council. The approved amendments will support the initial phase of development, expected to generate substantial revenue for the town. Lindholm said the company has worked through the Jerde master plan with various consultants, including the town, to ensure the development fits within a greater framework.

The town initially approached Traer Creek about using a piece of property near the child care center for community housing. Traer Creek responded with a series of amendments, including provisions related to future infrastructure development and development standards. The company's willingness to finance infrastructure investment is a significant factor in the project's progression. As the development moves forward, locals will be watching to see how the new Whole Foods location and other projects impact the area.

Make no mistake, the Village (at Avon) development is a significant undertaking. The town and Traer Creek have invested considerable time and resources into the project. With the approved amendments, the development is poised to move forward. The short version: this project will bring new businesses and revenue to the town, but it also raises questions about infrastructure and development standards. Read that again, $84 million in public infrastructure investments is a substantial amount, and the town will be expecting a return on that investment.

As the project progresses, folks around here will be keeping a close eye on the development. The town's decision to approve the amendments sets the stage for the next phase of growth. Worth watching: how the town and Traer Creek balance the need for revenue and growth with the concerns of residents and the environment. The Avon Town Council's vote may have been 6-1, but the real test is yet to come; can the town and Traer Creek deliver on their promises, and what will be the ultimate cost to taxpayers? That's what people in the valley will be asking as this project moves forward.