Vintage Hills development offers convenience, country

B.T. Associates is developing the 248-acre subdivision community west of Springfield, off Farm Road 146.

“We had been looking for a development for a number of years and … really liked the property,” said Steve Hoffman, partner with B.T. Associates. “Once you drove into the property, the way the terrain rolled, the trees and the little valley, you felt like you were out in your own little world and you were out in the country when you actually were close to Springfield. There was a lot of wildlife – deer, turkey. It was just a very attractive piece of property.”

Vintage Hills has preserved a natural area for future residents.

“Through the middle of the development there is approximately 30 acres of green space and natural space that we are going to maintain to keep the natural look of the property. There will be natural trails, barbecue areas, a clubhouse, pool, walking and cycling trails throughout the property,” Hoffman said.

Phases of construction

Vintage Hills will be built in five phases; construction on Phase 1 is expected to begin in the next few weeks, with two of the 53 lots available already sold. The remaining balance of the 127 lots in Phase 1 will be available for purchase July 1, Hoffman said, and Phase 1 is expected to build out in the next 12 to 18 months.

Lots 10,000 square feet and larger range from $29,000 to $49,000, with additional cost for larger lots and those facing the green space. “What we’ve done, designwise, is we’ve tried to increase the size of the lots as we go from phase to phase,” Hoffman said.

B.T. Associates will maintain oversight of homes built in the neighborhood, however purchasers will be able to choose their own builder provided they follow a desired look.

“We are trying to have more of a French country or vintage older style looking home in there. We’d like to see large decks to take advantage of the green space. And then, depending on where you are at in the particular phases, different houses will have slightly different requirements,” Hoffman said. “A majority of the houses in Phase 1 will be stone or masonry fronts, and the rest of the sides can be siding or other approved material. All the houses that face the green space all need to be full masonry brick or stone or any combination thereof.”

Despite construction guidelines for the community, Hoffman said many are ready for this type of project. “We have had a very strong response by a number of different builders and Realtors who think it’s been a long time coming for an upper-scale subdivision on that side of town,” Hoffman said.

Rob Brown, owner of Brown Properties and Construction, said he chose to “go out on a limb” to be the first builder in Vintage Hills.

“A lot of builders don’t like to be the first ones on the market … but the developing company has a very good reputation, and with the plans they got out there, I fully expect it to develop well,” Brown said. “So I say ‘going out on limb’ kind of tongue-in-cheek because the ground work is there for a great subdivision.”

Brown said the starting cost for a 1,700-square-foot home with an unfinished basement is $180,000 – and that’s the type of house he’s planning to build in Vintage Hills.

Hoffman said additional builders are lined up, but official contracts have not been signed.

“We’ve just recently listed the property, so we’re actively seeking a group of builders who would like to build quality homes,” Hoffman said. “We have a number of other larger builders … that are wanting to build several lots, but we are just in the process of getting the paperwork lined up. In the next 30 days, we hope to have some builders lined up and ready to go.”

The community

The entire development is slated for completion in the next five to seven years. When completed, it will bring 550 to 650 homes to the area, Hoffman said. In an effort to accommodate families, Vintage Hills will have a soccer field and baseball diamond in addition to the pool, clubhouse and natural trails. Membership to the homeowner’s association will be required at a cost of $300 a year, which will cover clubhouse, pool and maintenance costs. Hoffman said the clubhouse and pool will be built between Phase 1 and Phase 2, costing between $400,000 and $500,000.

As Vintage Hills develops, it will bring more families and students into the Willard school district, presenting new growth challenges. Kent Medlin, superintendent of Willard schools, said Vintage Hills is just one of many subdivisions that a Willard school growth committee is following.

“We have 17 new subdivisions coming into the Willard school district,” Medlin said. “Willard has not experienced the growth that Ozark and Nixa have faced, but if all this building continues, we are going to be looking at a lot of growth.”

Growth is occurring in two areas, Medlin said: close to town and along the Interstate 44 corridor. “Half of our district’s growth is south of EE highway,” Medlin said.

With a current enrollment of 3,530 and three of four schools at capacity, Willard is looking for ways to prepare for this growth through options such as redistricting. However, Medlin said it will be a while before any decisions are made.

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