CHINA GROVE — When Rita Geoppner, first stepped on the plot of land off Patterson Road in China Grove, the Realtor had a vision.

Remembering the home she grew up in in western New York, she saw a neighborhood, Barnhardt Meadows, where residents could enjoy time in their yards, mingle with neighbors and occasionally hear a farm animal while being close to urban areas such as Charlotte and Kannapolis.

“It is a beautiful area,” Geoppner said. “If I was going to build, I wouldn’t want to build on 1.5 acres. I would rather have a little bit of space. You can look out the door and see a field and hear a cow moo.”

Geoppner also sees growth coming to Rowan County. With Charlotte overflowing into Concord, China Grove is in a prime location to keep up with the increasing population.

“It’s slowly stretching up Interstate 85,” Geoppner said. “There is definitely a need. The population keeps growing in the county. Not everyone wants to be right down in Charlotte, either. This area gives them close proximity to several areas, and you can still be in the city in 30 minutes.”

Geoppner said the homes are in a safe, country setting, allowing space to grow in a central location.

“All the lots out here are over a half an acre, so you don’t get that closed-in feeling,” Geoppner said.

Graywood Properties and Spencer Lane Construction teamed up to build Barnhardt Meadows. T homes are not cookie-cutter ones, said Geoppner.

“He can build those, but instead he does a quality build. And he’ll work with people and give them what they want,” Geoppner said. “If you want to customize your home some way, he will work with that.”

Lane offers homeowners a choice of colors as well as stone or brick fronts.

“Whatever they want to do, we can do it,” Lane said.

The neighborhood will attract second-time homebuyers and those wanting to downsize, Geoppner said.

The homes will be three bedrooms and 2¹/₂ baths, ranging from 2,000 square feet to 3,000 square feet. The price will be $300,000 and above.

The neighborhood will be built in three phases. Construction is currently in the first phase, which includes 40 homes. The second phase will be another 40 homes, and the final phase will be 25 homes.

The homes take four to six months to build.

Lane said Barnhardt Meadows is not in the town limits of China Grove, so there are no municipal taxes.

Barnhardt Meadows also will offer a pool and poolhouse for residents to use.

“What a great place to have a little community and have the pool,” Geoppner said. “The guy next door has a garden out back. You have a little bit of space to call your own.”

Geoppner said she would love to see Barnhardt Meadows transform into a place where neighbors mingle and get to know and help each other, similar to when she was younger.

“I like that out here, you are building a community,” she said.

Anyone interested in at home at Barnhardt Meadows can call Geoppner at 704-859-1512 or visit barnhardtmeadows.com for more information or a tour. Geoppner can also assist with selling the buyers’ current home.