A development proposed for the 35-acre site of Barat Academy is back on the table, this time with a new name.
McBride Berra Land Co. has once again proposed 35 detached single-family homes on the north side of Wild Horse Creek Road across from Savonne Court. Formerly known as the Estates at Fire Rock, this nearly identical development will be called Tara Ridge.
McBride had proposed the earlier development in 2021. However, Barat Academy was attempting to remain on site and was relieved when McBride pulled out of the project last year to concentrate on another development.
Then, The School at St. Austin, currently located in Town & Country, had proposed to purchase the property to enlarge its campus space. Attorney Mike Doster said the school believes it had a contract in place, but McBride got the deal. In response to Doster's claim, no response was received from the attorney for Midland States Bank, which owns the property.
The site was rezoned in 2021 to "planned unit development."
At its meeting on May 22, the Planning Commission voted to approve the site development plan for Tara Ridge.
In addition to 35 homes, amenities at Tara Ridge will include a butterfly garden, pavilion, pickle ball court and an educational monument for the historic Blake Mound, which will be maintained by the homeowner's association.
Barat Academy has announced it will go virtual for the 2023-2024 school year, offering classes online for its remaining students.
