Nearly 400 more single-family homes and townhouses are headed to Hixson as a pair of local developers ramp up plans for new residences.
Bell Homebuilders and Greentech Homes have received approval from planners Monday for the new residences as the developers see strength in the market.
"Our market has been quite good," said Jay Bell, president of Bell Homebuilders. "We've got a lot of faith in Hamilton County."
Bell plans to construct up to 160 new townhomes as another phase of the Stonewall Farms development off Hixson Pike.
Chris Anderson, Greentech's director of development and government relations, said the company is planning single-family, detached homes. He said the market is "good, really strong."
"This is the first time [for Greentech] building in Hixson," Anderson said. "We've come up with some unique floor plans."
He said Greentech plans to build on 55.7 acres that the company has under contract next to Bell's development.
Bell has a 35-acre parcel on which it intends to put up townhomes. The two development companies are working in unison in terms of road work for the projects, Bell said.
Anderson said plans are to start on Greentech's new homes next year with work on the road to start by March or April. The homes will be from about 2,300 to 2,800 square feet in size, primarily three bedrooms but there will be some with four bedrooms, he said.
Anderson didn't offer any price points and said a name for the project will come within the next 60 to 90 days.
He said Greentech will phase in construction of the homes, typically breaking off 30 to 60 units, and it could be five years before the development is fully built out.
Bell said he's still working on another phase of 26 townhomes he was already intending to build. It may be two years before he starts on the newest phase, he said.
Bell expected that the homes will range from $250,000 to $350,000 each.
"It depends on the finish and size," he said.
Those units will be two- and three-bedroom homes on one level with open floor plans, ranging from 2,100 to 2,400 square feet in size, Bell said.
He said that a lot of the units he's building are selling to empty-nesters and retirees.
"They'd rather play golf or bridge or do yard work," Bell said. ""They just want to enjoy life."
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.