The Village at Mason Creek, a development of 319 new rental homes, is coming to Blair Township, south of Traverse City. Developers hope it is the first step toward solving the affordable housing issue in the region.

The Blair Township Planning Board gave plan approval to the project Wednesday night. The project will break ground in May on Phase 1, which will include 50 homes. The first occupants are expected to move in before winter.

Traverse City-based The Windward Group, a team of all-local investors, is behind the project, which is estimated to cost $35 million. The development will be on M-37, just south of Blair Town Hall Road, near the Fairgrounds.

“Although it’s zoned for manufactured homes, this isn’t a trailer park,” says The Windward Group’s Joel Reb. “This will be a gated community similar to those you’d find in Florida, with very high amenities and services for very reasonable prices.” The homes will be all new, “component-based” houses built off-site and finished once on the property.

Homes will range between 1,100 square feet and 1,800 square feet, with 1-4 bedrooms and 1-3 bathrooms. Monthly rent will range from $1,000-$1,400.

Developers hope to appeal to those who seek new homes, relatively low rent, and many amenities, including basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts and playground; a 5,300 square-foot community center with a banquet room, game room, fitness room, and fireplace; an outdoor pool, hot tub, and gas firepit area. The entire development will be landscaped and irrigated, and individual lawn mowing is included with monthly rent.

An automated “arm” will stop cars arriving, but Reb says details about how and when the security gate will be manned or locked are still being finalized, though there will be 24-hour security on-site.

The Windward Group purchased the 120-acre parcel last year for $900,000.

Reb says future phases of the development could evolve based on demand for larger or smaller homes, adding that The Village at Mason Creek is just the first of what could be several “sensible” housing developments from the company.

“We are a group of local investors testing a variety of concepts in the sensible price model to solve the affordable housing issue here and elsewhere,” he adds.

The site plan shows the main entrance off M-37, led by a circular drive in front of the community center and pool, with individual streets and homes directly behind. There will also be two exits off Blair Town Hall Road.

Contractors for the project have not been selected; bids are expected to go out soon.

Reb told officials Wednesday the project could lead to an estimated $150,000 in annual tax revenue for Blair Township.