Prineville approves transfer of remaining Ochoco Pointe lots from Pahlisch to Lennar
(Update: adding comments from Prineville Planning Director)
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A Prineville housing development is moving forward with a new builder, and city leaders say the change could help add more homes to the fast-growing community.
The Ochoco Pointe subdivision has been in Prineville since 2003. Over the years, Pahlisch Homes has built up a large part of the neighborhood.
Now, Pahlisch has assigned its agreement to purchase the remaining lots to another builder, Lennar.
Because the land is city-owned, the change had to be approved by Prineville City Council.
“If we’re going to sell property to a developer, we want to know what it’s going to look like and what it’s going to be,” said Joshua Smith, planning director for the City of Prineville.
“We assigned it to Pahlisch, and we had specific requirements. So they had to come back to City Council and request that they allow that to be turned over to Lennar," Smith added.
The City of Prineville worked with Lennar on the development’s rules, street networks, and overall design. The goal is to build on the groundwork Pahlisch laid, while providing more housing at a lower price point.
“They made the decision to allow the assignment primarily based on providing a slightly lower priced home,” Smith said. “What it does is it keeps the project moving, which it would have stalled out.”
Lennar is expected to build around 150 homes in the next phases. That will help add inventory, but it is only one piece of Prineville’s housing needs.
The city is also seeing apartments go up, while still looking for more ways to fill low- to middle-income housing gaps.
“We have a need at the low end. I think that’s everywhere,” Smith said.
“A tremendous amount of apartments being built. So that’s kind of hitting some of that upper middle. I think we have a little bit of need at that lower middle," Smith added.
City leaders say Prineville is actively planning for growth, while trying to make sure each step protects the culture and community that make the city unique.
