Columbus City Council has signed off on turning a big stretch of Wayne Township farmland into houses, voting unanimously to annex 139.36 acres and rezone most of it for Timberland Springs, a new Arbor Homes subdivision near Walesboro. The final vote came with an amendment that tacks on a 50-foot buffer along the property’s north edge and spells out conditions the developer has to meet before a shovel ever hits the dirt. When it is all built out, the project is expected to become a roughly 282-lot neighborhood offering both starter homes and somewhat higher-priced single-family options.
What the council approved
Council members advanced second readings to bring 139.36 acres into the city limits and to rezone about 107.25 of those acres from Agriculture: Preferred (AP) to Residential: Two-Family (RT). A staff report from the City of Columbus Plan Commission says the RT zoning is intended to support smaller single-family lots, and the commission forwarded a favorable recommendation on Feb. 11.
What Arbor Homes plans
Arbor Homes plans about 282 lots in Timberland Springs, split between 132 Arbor-series homes and roughly 150 Arrival-series homes marketed toward first-time buyers. As reported by The Republic, Arbor-series homes are expected to list in roughly the $300,000 to $350,000 range, while the Arrival line is designed to come in at lower price points to give newer buyers a way into the market.
Zoning details and neighborhood design
RT zoning does allow duplexes, but city planning staff say Arbor Homes intends to build only detached single-family houses on the site. The City of Columbus Plan Commission staff report notes the layout would set aside about 45 acres as open green space and leave roughly 32 acres under agricultural zoning so it can continue to be farmed. The property owner is listed as Strietelmeier Farms Inc.
Roadwork, costs and location
The subdivision fronts County Road 150W and Deaver Road, which will both need upgrades as part of the platting process. Council approved the annexation and rezoning on a 7-0 vote, and city public works staff put the additional upfront costs at about $140,000. The Republic also notes the site sits close to major Walesboro employers, including Cummins and Toyota Material Handling, a location planners say should appeal to workers looking to trim their commute.
Next steps and timeline
Before construction can start, Arbor Homes must complete a traffic study, file a preliminary plat and meet the city’s engineering and drainage requirements. Local outlet WBIW reported that Timberland Springs is expected to build out in phases over several years as plats are approved and individual lots receive permits.
