Meadowlark Crossing

Independent Assessment

Epcon Communities' franchise-builder model produces genuinely different age-restriction outcomes at different locations, even within the same state -- including within North Dakota itself, where Epcon's Fargo-metro franchise builder (Heritage Homes) explicitly markets its comparable communities as 'not age restricted' despite age-targeted tagline marketing, while Stoneshire Builders' Bismarck franchise uses direct, explicit '55+' language. That within-state, within-brand contrast is itself strong evidence that this specific franchise builder's marketing should be trusted on its own terms rather than assumed from the brand name alone -- and Stoneshire's own site, independently matching Epcon's national site, gives Meadowlark Crossing the same kind of dual first-party confirmation that gave South Dakota's Courtyards at Golden Gateway its strong evidentiary posture one state prior. What remains open is that the community is still pre-construction as of the most recent review (homesites 'Coming Spring 2026'), so buyers should confirm current construction status directly.

Who May Find This Community Appealing

Buyers looking for a genuinely new-construction, single-level patio home with resort-style community amenities -- a clubhouse, fitness center, pool, and pickleball -- in a growing Bismarck neighborhood are the clearest match. As Stoneshire Builders' first 55-plus community, buyers interested in being among the earliest residents of a newly launched active-adult product may find this appealing, while also weighing that it is a first-time venture into this specific housing type for this particular builder.

Homes, Builders & Development History

Meadowlark Crossing is built by Stoneshire Builders, a Bismarck-based builder founded in 2012 that joined the national Epcon Communities franchise network in 2024 -- Meadowlark Crossing is Stoneshire's first venture into 55-plus community development, per Epcon Franchising's own company-news page. The community is planned as 26 single-level luxury patio homesites.

Current Pricing & Market Positioning

No specific current price range for homes at Meadowlark Crossing was located in the sources reviewed. Buyers should request current lot-specific and floor-plan-specific pricing directly from Stoneshire Builders, since the community's pre-construction status as of the most recent review means pricing and available inventory will likely evolve as homesites become available.

New Construction vs. Resale Considerations

Meadowlark Crossing is pre-construction new-construction as of the last update, with homesites marketed as 'Coming Spring 2026.' Buyers interested in new construction should confirm current lot availability and build timelines directly with Stoneshire Builders. Resale inventory is not expected to exist yet given the community's pre-construction status.

Taxes, Insurance & Special Assessments

Homes at Meadowlark Crossing are subject to Burleigh County, North Dakota property tax administration. North Dakota Century Code Section 14-02.5-11 and its implementing administrative rules govern the state's own Fair Housing exemptions for age-restricted housing and use the modern, post-1999 HOPA formulation -- a legal nuance discussed in more detail on this state's own overview page. Buyers should confirm current property tax figures with the Burleigh County Director of Tax Equalization and request current homeowners-insurance quotes directly, as no community-specific insurance-cost range was found.

Community Layout & Lifestyle

Meadowlark Crossing is planned as a single-level patio-home neighborhood, the standard Epcon Courtyards-style format -- low-maintenance homes clustered around a planned central clubhouse and amenity core. Details of any organized resident-activity programming have not been independently confirmed, consistent with the community's pre-construction status.

Shopping, Healthcare & Airport Access

Meadowlark Crossing's model home is located at 4501 Silbernagel Dr, Bismarck, North Dakota. Buyers should confirm specific drive times to downtown Bismarck or area hospitals directly with a local agent or Stoneshire Builders, as these were not independently confirmed.

Age Qualification & Material Ownership Restrictions

Both Epcon Communities' own national site and local franchise builder Stoneshire Builders' own site explicitly describe Meadowlark Crossing as a 55-plus community -- direct, first-party language from both the national brand and the specific local builder, rather than a secondary aggregator's inferred category tag. This is meaningfully reinforced by a direct within-state contrast: Epcon's other North Dakota franchise builder (Heritage Homes, operating in the Fargo metro) explicitly states its comparable communities are 'not age restricted,' confirming that this specific franchise builder's '55+' language should be read as a genuine, deliberate age restriction rather than boilerplate marketing language reused across all Epcon franchises regardless of actual restriction status. Classified here as legally age-restricted 55+ on that basis.

Tradeoffs & Limitations

As of the last update, Meadowlark Crossing's homesites are marketed as 'Coming Spring 2026' -- buyers should confirm current construction status, lot availability, and updated timelines directly with Stoneshire Builders before relying on any specific date. Buyers should request a specific current HOA fee amount and home-pricing range directly, as neither was confirmed. Because Meadowlark Crossing is Stoneshire Builders' first venture into 55-plus community development, buyers may wish to ask directly about the builder's broader track record on other residential product types as part of their own due diligence.

Comparison With Nearby Communities

Meadowlark Crossing is North Dakota's first confirmed presence for any of five major national active-adult brands (Del Webb, Toll Brothers Regency, K. Hovnanian's Four Seasons, Epcon, and Shea Homes' Trilogy, all of which were checked; only Epcon returned a confirmed North Dakota hit, via two different local franchise builders with two different outcomes). Within Bismarck itself, it should not be confused with Village Cooperative of Bismarck (a separate cooperative-housing community confirmed at a 62-plus threshold), Heritage Cottages (a separate purchase-based community), or the unnamed 55-plus component within the larger Silver Ranch masterplan -- all four are separate communities. Within the same Epcon brand, it should specifically not be confused with Fargo metro's The Ranch at The Wilds or The Ranch at SunSet Valley, both built by a different Epcon franchise builder (Heritage Homes) and confirmed NOT age-restricted despite similar age-targeted marketing language -- a clean within-brand contrast documented directly.

Current Listings

Stoneshire Builders' own Meadowlark Crossing page, or a connected local agent, can provide current lot availability, floor plans, pricing, and updated construction timelines directly.

Is Meadowlark Crossing age-restricted?

Yes. Both Epcon Communities' own national site and local franchise builder Stoneshire Builders' own site explicitly describe it as a 55+ community -- this state's first confirmed presence for any of five major national active-adult brands (Del Webb, Toll Brothers Regency, K. Hovnanian's Four Seasons, Epcon, and Shea Homes' Trilogy).

Is Meadowlark Crossing open yet?

Not as of the most recent review. Homesites are marketed as 'Coming Spring 2026.' Buyers should contact Stoneshire Builders directly for the current construction status.

Who builds Meadowlark Crossing?

Stoneshire Builders, a Bismarck-based builder founded in 2012 that joined the national Epcon Communities franchise network in 2024. Meadowlark Crossing is Stoneshire's first venture into 55-plus community development.