1000's of new homes planned

The rapid commercial growth in and around Parker is evident, but residential developments tend to stay under the radar until roads are built into the new neighborhoods.


Susan Pacek, the town's comprehensive planning manager, said Parker's population is expected to nearly double in size within 25 years. The town is projecting a population of more than 70,000 people by 2030 and has already approved land use zoning to accommodate 80,000 residents within Parker's boundaries.


The number of building permits issued for single-family homes in Parker rose by 47 permits from 2003 to 2004. Single-family residential permit numbers rose by nearly 20 percent between 2002 and 2004. The total number of permits issued by the town's building department reached 2,380 last year, a 35 percent increase from two years prior.


Here's a brief summary of planned housing developments:





Cottonwood Highlands


A planned residential community called Cottonwood Highlands will be built on 222 acres of land northwest of Jordan Road and Cottonwood Drive. The developer is proposing 572 houses and 2.5 million square feet of commercial space and has asked Parker to annex the land. The latest concept has Cottonwood Drive being extended west as a four-lane arterial road to Chambers Road.





Horse Creek


The planned subdivision, built by Melody Homes, will have 440 single-family homes, an elementary school, middle school, 14-acre commercial site and an eight-acre park. The development is still under construction northwest of Jordan Road and Hess Road, but already has residents.





Sierra Ridge


Douglas County recently approved the rezoning of 360 acres of land southwest of Lincoln Avenue and the future extension of Chambers Road from agricultural use to planned development status to make way for 1,600 dwelling units. Sierra Ridge will have single family units as well as multi-family condominiums and commercial space. Developers are planning to build an elementary school and an interconnected trail system.





High Prairie


International Polo Club


If approved by the county, this community of luxury homes will be built two miles southeast of South Parker Road and East Bayou Gulch Road and consist of 60 homes on 1,050 acres of land. The lots will occupy 220 acres of the land while 700 acres, or more than two-thirds of the site, will be preserved as contiguous open space.





Pine Bluffs


Roads are under construction in the mixed-use development on Hess Road between South Parker and Hilltop roads. Koelbel and Co. is building the master-planned community of 105 single-family homes, 85 town homes, 90 luxury homes "amid rolling terrain and open space with mature tree," a report from the Parker Economic Development Council said. Home sales are expected to begin this fall.





Anthology-Stories of


the New West


The 3,000-acre site west of Motsenbocker and Stroh roads is expected to accommodate as many as 6,000 residential units and 100 acres of commercial uses. The plans include an 18-hole public golf course, more than 1,000 acres of open space and 20 miles of biking, pedestrian and horse trails. Pivotal Parker Investments acquired the SunMarke property, which was once a part of Stroh Ranch.





Idyllwilde


This development east of Hilltop Road and Crestview Drive will have 900 homes and a new high school. A large parcel of open land in the center of the community allows wildlife to migrate and feed.


ore than 50 percent of the 600-acre site will be preserved as open space. Idyllwilde will not be fully developed for another seven to 10 years, said Karanne Burdick, marketing coordinator for the community.





The Regency


The subdivision is planned for 80 acres on both sides of Newlin Gulch Blvd, a quarter mile south of West Parker Road. Land for roughly 190 single-family detached lots has been annexed into Parker. The development company, AmeriWest Communities, expects a preliminary plat to be approved by the end of the year.





Jordan Crossing


Roughly 30 acres on the southeast corner of Jordan Road & Todd Drive is being developed to make room for more than 100 single family homes. The site will include a two-acre park that will include playground equipment, picnic tables and outdoor grills.





Salisbury Heights


This subdivision will occupy about 40 acres on the west side of Motsenbocker Road just north of Hess Road. The 134 single-family residential lots were annexed into Parker earlier this year. The development will be built on an existing residential lot directly across the street from Salisbury Equestrian Park on Motsenbocker Road.





Woody Creek


The 100-home residential area is proposed for 45 acres on the southwest corner of Stroh Road and J. Morgan Boulevard. Four acres have been zoned for commercial use.





Enclave at Cherry Creek


The 35-acre development will go on Pine Lane between Jordan Road and Cherry Creek on the south side of E-470. Construction will start on more than 200 cluster homes and 100 condominiums in the first quarter of 2006.





Horseshoe Ridge


Horseshoe Ridge will be built on 125 acres northwest of Hess and Motsenbocker roads. Nearly 300 single-family homes and 115 multi-family units are planned, as well as 10 acres of commercial space. Grading has already started on the property.





Lincoln Creek


The 93-acre parcel southwest of Lincoln Avenue and Pine Drive will eventually have 725 single-family and multi-family units. Construction has already started on the land, which is just east of Parker in unincorporated Douglas County.





Prairie Meadows


The KB Home neighborhood spans 25 acres northwest of Parker at Jordan and Parkerhouse roads. The development plan includes 320 single-family attached homes, of which 10 percent will be attainable housing.





Neu Towne at Parker


Infrastructure has been installed to accommodate 340 single-family and patio homes southeast of Jordan Road and Mainstreet.


The development will surround a 7.5-acre park and open space that will include three water-feature swimming pools, a sand volleyball court and a cabana.


More than 190 condominiums are also planned for the development. The east entrance to Neu Towne is off Motsenbocker Road, just north of Todd Drive.





Newlin Meadows


Newlin Meadows will sit on roughly 130 acres south of Newlin Gulch Road and East Mainstreet. The Parker Planning Commission approved the final plat for the third phase of the 237-house residential development. The site includes 14 acres for a middle school and 12 acres for commercial development, the economic development report said.





Tallman Gulch


The proposed neighborhood could include 120 residential lots on 450 acres of land north of Hilltop Road, half a mile east of Crestview Drive. The Douglas County Planning Commission recently approved a sketch plan for Tallman Gulch.





New Horizons


The 85-home development will be built on 55 acres southeast of East Mainstreet and Newlin Gulch Boulevard. Model homes have already been opened to the public. The neighborhood is in close proximity to Lutheran High School of the Rockies.


Other developments that are now being built or reviewed include Antelope Heights, Hein Center, Village on the Green and Reata South. Work will continue on the Canterberry and Meridian developments until they are built out.





Contact Chris Michlewicz at cmichlewicz@ccnewspapers.net




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