With one of the largest planned developments in Arlington’s history under consideration, officials want to make sure they get it right.

On Thursday, Dec. 7, the town’s Planning Commission, along with the Board of Mayor and Alderman, held a joint work session regarding the 289-acre Estates at Hall Creek residential project proposed south of Interstate 40.

No decision was made on the project during the joint meeting. The session was just an opportunity to review the project and discuss concerns with the developer.

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The development had been planned for 667 homes east of Arlington Trails Road, north of Pinckley Road and straddling Chester Street.

In October, the Planning Commission urged Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, developer of Estates at Hall Creek, to withdraw his application until some of the issues could be resolved.

Coming into the work session, planning consultant Jim Atkinson and David Smith, principal with A2H, Inc., presented possible changes to the plan. Those included breaking up the project’s larger neighborhoods into smaller spaces, adding a street connection from the northwest neighborhood to Arlington Trail, and adding age-restricted townhomes in a gated section.

Kumar previously referenced Enclave Estates, the neighborhood where he lives in Germantown, as the model for the development.

“When you’ve got 6,000-square-foot lots, I’d like to see some things that are similar to the Enclave with 3,500- and 4,000-square-foot houses,” Alderman Jeff McKee said. “I love the idea of the Enclave, and that’s what I’m hoping to see. Smaller lots aren’t a negative when they’re done at high quality with amenities.”

Other concerns from town officials included traffic and safety along Larry Anderson Lane and streetscape along Chester Street.

Five lot sizes are proposed ranging from 6,000 square feet to 1 acre. Amenities include several lakes, open space along Hall Creek, bocce ball and pickleball courts, along with a playground and pool areas.

The project would be the largest development south of Interstate 40, dwarfing the 70-acre Woodland Estates.

Development of the project is dependent on the completion of the Hall Creek sewer extension currently in progress.

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Town Planner Jeremy Credeur stressed to the developer that the number of homes originally proposed for the project would need to drop substantially.

“That’s just being painfully honest. With everything that we’ve talked about, your lot numbers are going to go down,” he said.

Town Administrator Cathy Durant noted that an upcoming flood plain study would help determine the final number of homes.

A dam breach analysis will also be required for the existing dam upstream from the project on the 36-acre lake in the nearby Rolling Hills subdivision.

“We want to work with the town. Whatever is optimal, that’s what we want to aim for,” Kumar said after the meeting. “I’m certainly asking for them to provide guidance, specific actionable guidance. Now it’s almost been 18 months that we have been working with the planning commission.”