Hutchinson offers free pre-approved housing plans to spur development
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City of Hutchinson is offering free pre-approved housing plans to developers and homeowners in an effort to streamline construction and reduce costs for new residential projects.
The initiative provides ready-to-build plans that meet local building codes and can be paired with affordable lots from the city's Land Bank program, officials said.
"Whether you're a first-time builder, a contractor between jobs, or a property owner looking to add housing — we made this for you," the city stated in announcing the program.
The pre-approved plans include four housing types: small single-family homes with one to two bedrooms, standard single-family homes with two to three bedrooms, side-by-side duplexes and quadplexes designed for rental properties.
City officials said the program aims to eliminate common development barriers by allowing builders to skip the typical back-and-forth design review process with city staff. The plans have already undergone municipal review, potentially saving developers thousands of dollars in design costs and weeks in permitting delays.
Housing Coordinator Carissa Paxton is overseeing the program for the city's Strategic Growth Department. Builders can download the plans from the city's website and then work with the Land Bank to identify available lots for development.
The initiative targets both infill development in existing neighborhoods and new construction on vacant Land Bank properties. Officials said the program is designed to make housing development more accessible to contractors, property owners and first-time builders.
The city has promoted the program as part of a broader "Build in Hutchinson: Faster, Cheaper, Smarter" campaign aimed at addressing local housing needs through streamlined development processes.
Developers interested in the program can access the plans through the city's website at hutchgov.com or contact Paxton at carissa.paxton@hutchgov.com.
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