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A REALTOR'S® Perspective: The Anatomy, Design & Development of an "Infill Project" (2)

Asheville green real esat project...planning

UPDATE: After the meeting, clients decided to move forward with looking at various possibilities for this infill project.

SCENARIO: Before deciding how to position an infill project for development and sale, as you may recall from Part I of this series, we decided that very savvy planners, on the leading edge of sustainable innovation and design would be called upon to review "the case"...planning professionals, eco-developers, architects, and so forth ...

. As I mentioned in Part I of A REALTOR'S® Perspective: The Anatomy, Design & Development of an "Infill Project" ..."Let's do a bit of ‘due diligence' before the fact, " ...

THE TEAM PROCESS: First up...David Tuch (environmental design with landscape in mind) ...gets a look at the property, starting with survey. Did you notice the rich Carolina Blue sky in this photo I took on a colorful Autumn day here in Asheville? Well, we sure did...It was an amazing walk-about with David yesterday...the day was glorious, and the company was great, and I loved feeling the "energy" of possibiity on the property.

DAVID demonstrated his encyclopedic knowledge. We enjoyed the benefit of his years of professional experience and, in particular, his ability to explain what he was seeing as we walked the property together. David holds degrees in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, and Conservation Ecology & Sustainable Development. No doubt about it, his unique understanding of the importance of creating design solutions that balance land and water conservation with human use of the landscape is just what we need as we take our next step in this infill project journey.

David says, " A more sustainable pattern of land development is essential in balancing growth and the protection of our region's high quality of life. " You can see this philosophy in his work that includes conservation subdivision design, low impact development, stormwater management, greenway and park planning, native plant restoration, and residential landscape design. So you won't be surprised when I tell you that David knows all about zoning and sewer lines and grades and roads and what can go where...and that I, as a REALTOR®, feel confident about his expertise as we look at the anatomy of this project in terms of design and development.

AN INFILL PROJECT FROM ITS INCEPTION: David's ability to point in a positive direction helps everyone involved to explore the highest and best use of the property. It's not every day that we get to be closely involved in an infill project from its inception. After our walk, I am feeling excited about the possibilities for land use and sustainable design that arise. asheville green treehouse luxury green that is

I point out a HUGE tree in the meadow (a white pine?) ...
David says, " This area could work for green-built homes
on a small footprint that reach toward the sky like the tree does!"

"'Tree houses'...newly-constructed green-built ..what a great concept!" I beam . ...

AH YES! I can just see some talented architect designing green-built homes on small footprints to "live" side-by-side with that tree in the meadow...and then I can see them clustering on up the hill...and around the bend...that would be some infill project, all right!

NEXT STEPS: Maybe one of the next steps will be a rendering ...on that might be used in our marketing package. Before we go forward with a rendering..... I ask my clients for another chat to make sure we are all on the same page ... "How does Tuesday look for you?" I ask.... "We love the idea. We're on for Tuesday." they reply...

THAT would be tomorrow....Stay Tuned for what happens next...

Catching up? UPDATE: Here are all 4 links for this series...

http://activerain.com/blogsview/259284/A-REALTOR-S-Perspective

http://activerain.com/blogsview/263386/A-REALTOR-S-Perspective

http://activerain.com/blogsview/274659/A-REALTOR-S-Perspective

http://activerain.com/blogsview/280997/A-REALTOR-S-Perspective

Posted by janeAnne, Asheville's "Green-o-Lina" NAR GREEN Real Estate Consultant on 11/05/2007 11:13 PM

Comments (29)

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Originally posted at: Asheville ECO-GREEN Real Estate: A REALTOR'S® Perspective: The Anatomy, Design & Development of an "Infill Project" (2)

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29 Comments on A REALTOR'S® Perspective: The Anatomy, Design & Development of an "Infill Project" (2)

NOV

2007

janeAnne- Sounds like you are involved in a very intriguing project and I wish you the best of success. Katerina

NOV

2007

janeAnne, this is so fascinating. I'm staying tuned and may have something similar coming up soon. :) It sounds like you are all coming up with some great plans.

I enjoy hearing a great story like this one. In your neck of the woods what is your wastewater management guideline? I am only guessing your property would be well and septic of some type. Our soil is majority sand and yours being west of the piedmont would be much denser.

Here on the coast we have tight regulations due to runoff into our waterways. I realize you may have spring and such and wondered how different our planning issues would be.

Hi JaneAnne - it sounds like you will have another exciting week. I am amazed with the vision a person like David has in seeing natural grades and features of the property that lend to highest and best use. That is a talent few have developed. I love the "tree house" concept! Michele asks about wastewater management...any room there for community systems and possibly community geothermal as well?

Hi janeAnne - what a really interesting project, and I bet that rendering will be very interesting to see as well. I like the 'tree house' idea - would love to see what those could look like.

Ann

Katerina~

I like your word, "intriguing"...and you are so right!
This infill project is intriguing.

I am thinking this morning that the more "intriguing" projects we encounter in our practice of real estate, the more we enjoy our work...and the more we get to learn in the process.As an old schoolteacher, that chance to learn is very attractive to me.

Stephanie~

I can remember that it wasn't too long ago that the term "infill" was unknown to me. ...other terms like "urban corridor" and "greenway" may have been a little more familiar...but "infill project" sure wasn't. I want to hear about your upcoming project...is it an infill project?...or something similar?

janeAnne, I sent you an email about it. Similar in that the person wants to preserve the land and trees. She envisions great things...and I hope I can help her in that respect. :)

janeAnne, Infill signifies an undeveloped lot within a developed area. Is that what this is? It sounds like an undeveloped area from your description. I'm staying tuned for the entire series. Thank you for "documenting" this project.

Bill Roberts

Michele~

You asked about wastewater management. Great question. This project is close-in to town. It is on the city water and sewer system. One of the advantages of infill projects is that generally, they-have utilities in-place. In this case, the land planner will be looking at what would need to happen in order to develop the property for highest and best use...and this would include taking into account the sewerage and water situation. i'lllet you 9and all) know how this unfolds in future posts..

NOV

2007

Mary~

You mentioned geothermal community geothermal system. I love that idea1 I have not seen it in place as a community system, just as an individual system. I wonder if you have an example that you might tell us all about...

Bill~

HI! Thanks for your continuing interest and comments.

Two things in play here...suburban infill "...the development of land in existing suburban areas that was left vacant during the development of the suburb. It is one of the tenets of the New Urbanism and smart growth [to which Asheville is committed]... urging densification to reduce the need for automobiles, encourage walking, and ultimately save energy..." and infill housing..."...

Infill housing is the insertion of additional housing units into an already approved subdivision or neighborhood. These can be in the form of additional units built on the same lot, by dividing existing homes into multiple units, or by creating new residential lots by further subdivision or lot line adjustments. Units may also be used by building on lots that were previously vacant.

The advantage of infill housing is in the fact that it does not require the subdivision of greenfield land, natural areas, or prime agricultural land. Another advantage is that existing infrastructure is usually almost adequate to provide all the need for utility and other services, at least at first glance.

Possible disadvantages are higher density of housing units per acre, and units that are not "up to code" or create circumstances that are illegal or unsafe. Especially if the infill was done without supervision or inspection. Structures built as an infill may clash architecturally with the older, existing buildings."

Definitions courtesy of Wikipedia

As we go along, we will be getting into both perspectives. This property has both acreage and buildings in existence. It-has multiple uses and multiple zoning possibilities. I'm VERY excited about those possibilities.

Ann~

I love the tree house idea, too. I will be doing some graphics on the concept, rendering and an actual "tree house' in future posts...stay tuned, OK?

NOV

2007

Hi Janeanne:

I am going to be calling David Tuch about another property that he just looked over for a potential eco village development. It is great having a resource like David around. It is just one more reason why living in Asheville can be so cool!

NOV

2007

Bill~

I love the idea of working as a team on a project . As we begin to look at possibilities, being the "resource for the resource" is an exciting place to find yourself, I agree. The opportunity to learn from experts with hands-on, real-time projects adds a special zest to the practice of real estate for me.

UPDATE: After the meeting, clients decided to move forward with looking at various possibilities for this infill project. I'll be filling you in on the next steps soon.

Hi janeAnne, I can't wait to hear more.

By the way, ...is it an infill project?...or something similar?...... I believe that yes, it would be an urban infill...as I learn more about it. :)

NOV

2007

This is so exciting! We did infill in California because we had no land. The spread of growth in the Lake Norman area scares me to death because we are loosing the essence of its beauty and sense of nature. I will keep reading your stories and hope that one day I can use this knowledge here.

JaneAnne "CUZ!"- I have heard of these Community GEO Thermal Systems from other people and will try to find the resources they speak of. I also did a blog a while back about Community Gas Systems. This is potentially a huge bargaining system for pricing and leveraging to lock in pricing over a 2 - 3 year period.

Additionally, I have spoken with Allan O'Shea and Peter Read in Traverse City about the potential for Small Wind Cooperatives. These would be owned by "stock holders," possibly a HOA? You would need to check restrictions in your area and zoning. I believe Jennifer Alvarado of GLREA told me currently in Michigan it is max 3 generators per acre.

I'll get back with you about active applications of community geothermal! I can't wait to hear more about your project!

JaneAnne - I was just reading through your infill definition which made me think about a conversation with Chris Hall, Homes by GreenLife, yesterday. Chris was talking about how all the best lands have already been build on. Now we, in Michigan anyway, are building into lands that are not prime for development -- clay, hayfields, etc. Wouldn't it be smarter to do what you speak of and build/rebuild in already developed areas and save our green space? Chris made me think!

NOV

2007

JaneAnne - what a fun project! we have a project in Tallahassee, actually built in the mid 1980's by what was considered by then a very progressive developer (Mad Dog Construction -don't you love it?) ... and they won the county's first environmental award for their design concept...similar to yours....

They took a about 20 acres of low land in interior Tallahassee - wet - built/expanded the pond in the middle, grouped homes on it and across streets from it with zero lot lines. The homes were built within the trees... in other words, no trees were removed unless necessary for the footprint of the home. By focusing the density of the 20 acres in the pond area, they were able to build a beautiful raised boardwalk through the remaining wetlands, with a conservation easement on them. And they have a bridge to an island in the middle of the pond with a gazebo. The end result is a small, forested development - very pleasant... The developer got his densities, and the homeowners have a birding recreation area. It set the stage for similar - but different examples to follow. Their deign avoided a couple of the downsides you mentioned in comments to your blog.

Stephanie~

The nature of this project is interesting. Some say it is an urban infill project...some say not it isn't...whatever it is or isn't , I am enjoying the whole process so much. I feel very energized, and delighted to be a part of it.

Diane~

Asheville has implemented a "Smart Growth" Plan. We are building closer in and UP...saving the countryside,where houses were beginning to pop up int he middle of pastures, for farm animals...and crops...and for bees to find clovers to pollinate.

This project may be a pilot study for other towns and cities to visit and implement...that is one of the hopes of those involved. And you're invited!

Mary~

I am interested in the concepts guiding and active applications of community geothermal...and how they might apply here. I will look forward to your comments. THX!

I will have to visit! Our towns around Lake Norman are just beginning to implement growth controls...very late in the game but not too late. The sprawl is everywhere and I worry so about our beautiful Lake Norman. I think the drought has brought a lot of good discussions about conservation and the environment to the forefront.