County Approves Preliminary Plat for Large Metts Meadows Development

The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors voted December 2 to approve a preliminary plat covering phases one through three of The Hamlett at Metts Meadows, a 299 acre planned unit development proposed off County Road 101. The approval moves the multiyear project a step closer to construction by confirming that the plat aligns with the planned unit development approval granted in December 2024.

The proposed community would ultimately include up to 731 residential units, along with commercial components and several recreational amenities. Plans for the initial phases show lakes, open space, walking trails, swimming pools and pickleball courts. The property sits north of the Wilsonart facility, positioning the development near an existing industrial or employment node while extending residential land use in that corridor.

County planning staff reviewed the application and found the preliminary plat consistent with the earlier PUD approval. Discussions between county planners and the developer focused on anticipated infrastructure needs, and what next steps will be required in permitting and phased build out. Those steps include final engineering, permitting for utilities and roads, and compliance checks before vertical construction can begin in the approved phases.

For Lafayette County residents the project has immediate practical implications. The development will increase demand on local roads and county services, and could expand the local tax base while also placing pressures on utilities, emergency services and school enrollment. The inclusion of commercial space offers potential for new neighborhood retail and jobs, while the planned amenities are intended to provide open space and recreation for residents of the new neighborhood and adjacent communities.

The approval reflects broader housing development trends that favor master planned communities with mixed uses and on site amenities. As the project moves through permitting and site work, county officials and the developer will need to coordinate on infrastructure timelines and community impacts. Residents seeking details on construction schedules and public hearings should watch for county planning notices as the project advances from preliminary plat to final plats and building permits.