More than 400 homes may be built in southeast Casper over the next five to seven years.

Nestled between 18th, 21st and Missouri streets, the Haystack development will be a mixture of single family homes, town homes, mansion homes and multi-family condominiums covering 58.7 acres.

"It's a pretty exciting project," said Craig Collins, an associate planner for the city of Casper.

This is the first time Denver developer Haystack Properties, LLC will build in Casper, and spokesman David Clinger said Casper is just the place for their development.

"Casper is a growing city near energy extraction and we feel it has long-term good, solid growth and there is a need for this kind of housing there," Clinger said. "There haven't been any new apartments built in Casper in many years. We feel it will be a good investment."

Before land is moved or building begins, the Casper City Council first needs to approve annexation of the land into the city for residential use.

At the council's meeting on Tuesday night, council members set Dec. 18 for the public hearing on the development, which if approved, will border the Rustic Ridge development on one side.

"This is what you call an open-space sustainable community," Clinger said. "You can walk all throughout the community to Sage Creek, a beautiful, meandering wetland that will have a regional trail the developers will build."

The community will also have "extensive walking trails" and sidewalks detached from the streets.

Clinger said one of the most exciting features of the development will be the mansion-style homes. Each will look like unique million-dollar homes from the outside, but be sectioned into three single-family homes.

"The mansion home is a very exciting concept we are doing in 10 states," Clinger said. "There are two houses on the ground floor and garages in the back and over the garage is a ranch house. There are a number of these in Denver and are the hottest selling thing in Denver."

If approved, there will be a total of 429 homes: 30 single family homes, 63 town homes, 36 mansion homes and 300 multi-family condo or apartment units, Clinger said.

Haystack Properties, LLC is also building in Gillette and Rock Springs

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com