Hutchinson ? The U.S. Women’s Open golf championship could continue to pay economic dividends for the area, with an Arizona developer considering a 600-acre planned community in eastern Reno County.

The development would feature 550 single-family homes and 200 condominiums and town homes built around an 18-hole public golf course.

“We want this to be a successful, freestanding community,” said Lane Neville, broker for the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Land Advisor Corp., which has the land under contract. “This is in the very preliminary stages, but we are very excited about this.”

Neville, a graduate of Hutchinson High School, said his interest was sparked by publicity from last summer’s golf tournament at Prairie Dunes Country Club.

Development requires a zoning change to permit housing, commercial and development and public use. Two groups of property owners have filed requests with the Reno County Planning, Zoning and Utilities Department to have the land rezoned to fit the project.

Reno County Commission Chairman Larry Sharp said he learned of the project Wednesday.

“This is exactly the thing Reno County is looking for – additional development in the unincorporated areas of the county,” Sharp said. “I think the unincorporated areas have a very appealing landscape that could evolve into unique subdivisions like this one.”

Plans for the development include space for retail stores and offices; a 10-acre park and outdoor amphitheater; horse trails and pedestrian paths; and a city center and school.

Home prices would range from about $100,000 up to high-end luxury homes on the golf course. Condominiums and town homes would be in a wide price range, as well.

The community could take 12 to 15 years to mature, Neville said. If there are no zoning problems, the first phase of construction – sewers, wells, paved roads and buried electrical lines – could begin in fall 2003, he said.

The lakes not only would beautify the open areas among the homes, but also would help keep the golf course in championship shape, Neville said.

The county Planning Board will have a public hearing on the proposed zoning changes on Dec. 19.

If the board recommends approval, the issue will go before the Reno County Commission on Jan. 8, said Dave McComb, director of county planning and zoning. Neville said purchase of the land won’t happen until the zoning changes are approved.