One of Union's largest residential projects in recent years won its final legislative approval July 20, when the city commission passed the rezoning needed for Drees Homes to build 135 townhomes and condominiums on 22 acres at 9944 Old Union Road.
The second reading of Ordinance No. 2026-10 converts the property's zoning from a mix of agricultural and low-density residential designations to Suburban Residential Three with the Union Town Overlay (SR-3/UTO), allowing the project known as Union Acres to move forward on a site between Hathaway Road and Old Union Road.
What's being built
Drees Homes, working with property owner Arlinghaus Builders (Arlinghaus 1 LLC), plans 29 single-story townhomes ranging from 1,400 to 2,600 square feet and 106 two-story condominiums of 1,500 to 1,700 square feet. All 135 units will be for sale, with a 10% cap on rentals enforced by the homeowners association.
The development also includes a small park, sidewalks, and a left-turn lane off Hathaway Road. The Boone County Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions, including the turn lane requirement, even though a traffic impact study found it was not technically warranted.
Density within plan limits
At six units per acre, the project falls within the Union Town Plan's cap of eight units per acre for high suburban density residential. Mayor Larry Solomon noted at the June 1 meeting that the project's density "falls within the Union Town Plan regulations," responding to resident Patrina Hensley's question about why single-family homes were not proposed.
Union resident Larry Klein, who said he was neither for nor against the project, told commissioners at the same meeting that the left-turn lane was essential for safety and suggested an overnight parking ban to prevent overcrowding.
Path to approval
The commission heard Mains' presentation June 1, directed City Attorney Greg Voss to prepare the ordinance, held the first reading July 6, and completed the second reading July 20. Commissioners Kimberly Tuyn, George Eldridge, and John Mefford expressed support at the June 1 session; Commissioner Doug Bine reserved his opinion pending further review.
The Union Acres site is the eastern portion of the 9944 Old Union Road property. A separate Arlinghaus Builders development on the western 36 acres was approved by the commission in January 2026.
What's next
The city has scheduled a special meeting July 27, at 6 p.m. for a Union Town Plan Update open house. The next regular commission meeting is August 3, at 6 p.m.
