Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008 - (Page 18)

development to allow freedom of movement for animals. A 252-acre parcel was deeded to a local land trust to ensure it would remain undeveloped. A stream and six ponds were constructed, which provides water for mammals and birds, as well as establishing a new environment for many invertebrate species and plants. The developers instituted comprehensive water conservation and monitoring programs that includes recycling equipment wash water and monitoring ground and surface water. Street runoff drains to sumps and wet-wells. No wastewater leaves the property, and all water is either treated in a sump or wetwell that flows to a vegetative swale or retention pond. The project has the very first LEED® certified golf maintenance facility. All commercial buildings are constructed following LEED program standards. There is a comprehensive recycling program, and as part of the Audubon International certification, the development is has incorporated a comprehensive community education\outreach program which included staff. Throughout the approval stages of the project, the developers worked with the community to help eliminate concerns or objections to this new resort community. Financially, the initially development launched 99 home sites in late 2003, eighty-two sold on the first day, the remainder sold by summer 2005 at an average price of $400K and has seen continued success. Old Greenwood has been recognized as the top fractional sales project for the last four years running by ARDA (American Resort Developments Association). Project: Tallyn’s Reach Location: Aurora, Colorado Owner/Developer: Carma Colorado Tallyn’s Reach is situated on the northern boundary of the Black Forest, which is one of Front Range Colorado’s last remaining old growth forests. It is primarily a residential community of approximately 965 acres and is planned to contain over 2,000 residences, two elementary schools, a 77,000 square foot regional police / fire / library complex, neighborhood commercial and retail development, and close to 300 acres of parks and open space. Development began in 1998 and is near completion. Upon build out, it will contain over 200 acres of natural open space. Innovative land-use design, public/private cooperation, strategic land dedications, creative site planning, treefriendly construction techniques, forestry management practices, and performance-oriented design guidelines are being used to preserve and reinforce the existing stands of trees at Tallyn’s Reach. Carma helped to write a “Tree Protection Ordinance,” which specifies the treatment of trees that may be disturbed during development. As a result, more 2,000 old growth ponderosa pine trees have been preserved, while more than 5,000 new trees have been incorporated into the development. Every builder in Tallyn’s Reach has contractually agreed to comply with the guidelines of the Colorado Built Green program. During planning and landscape design, natural contours were preserved along with the existing gulches and drainage ways to take advantage of mountain views. Extensive protection and water quality was maintained through engineered drop structures, de- tention ponds, and application of the latest BMP’s in accordance with the City of Aurora and the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. Meanwhile, maintaining native grasses and plantings throughout the development has resulted in significant water savings for the community and its residents. The community as a walkable, selfcontained series of neighborhoods offers residents plentiful open space with pedestrian and bicycle trail connections to schools, community meeting spaces, day care facilities, pools, parks and public services such as library, police and fire can be found within the boundaries of the community. Immediately adjacent to the overall community are local and regional shopping opportunities, office and regional recreational facilities. Residents of the community enjoy priority access to a community intranet that allows them to keep track of community events, discuss topics of community concern and follow development activities within the community. Project: Verandah Location: Fort Myers, Florida Owner/Developer: Bonita Bay Group Located along a 1.75-mile scenic stretch of the Orange River in Fort Myers, Florida, Verandah was created as an environmentally sensitive and sustainable community with single-family, model homes certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition. 18 May 2008 Sustainable Land Development Today

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008

Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008 Contents Our Voice Editorial Board SLDT Resources Addressing a Crisis with Wastewater Recycling Visionary Award Finalists The Jonquil City - How a City Revitalized its Downtown Industry Spotlight: Enviroquip Solar Power System Design and Installation Stormwater: The Return of the Cistern Site Amenity: Fiber Optics Surveying and Mapping Wastewater: Low-Pressure System Special Feature: The Urban Canopy as Infrastructure Industry News Advertiser Index Products/Services Showcase Classifieds The Last Word: Nature Bats Last…

Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008

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