Members of:
Idaho Neighborhoods Going Green
Coeur d’Alene, id (July 20, 2007) - ActiveWest is proud to announce Meadow Ranch’s acceptance into the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) for Neighborhood Development Pilot Program.
Located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho - the “City with a Heart” - Meadow Ranch is the first community in the city for active adults, age 55 and better. With a mix of 223 single-family, cottage-style view homes, craftsman-style townhouses and condominiums, Meadow Ranch will offer a variety of living choices, square footage and pricing for those seeking an active lifestyle in a secure community within walking distance of many neighborhood amenities. The centerpiece of the 12-acre neighborhood is a dairy barn from the 1950’s, which stands as a testament to a simpler way of living. Ground breaking for Meadow Ranch is planned for August 2007.
Meadow Ranch is one of only three communities in Idaho involved in LEED for Neighborhood Development, which is a rating system that integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood design. It is being developed by USGBC in partnership with the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
According to Dennis Cunningham, President of ActiveWest Development, “By following LEED principles we can offer healthier, more energy-efficient homes that revitalize an existing urban area and help preserve our environment. Meadow Ranch is a neighborhood to feel good about.”
LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a development's location and design meet accepted high standards for environmentally responsible, sustainable, development. Emphasis is placed on the design and construction elements that bring buildings together into a neighborhood, and relate the neighborhood to its larger region and landscape.
Also involved in this LEED pilot program is “Aspen Hollow” a multi-unit, residential infill development in Boise's "Near North End". According to the Project Architect, Andy Erstad, LEED Accredited Professional of erstad ARCHITECTS, the mixed housing project, located within walking distance of downtown Boise, will offer site amenities such as access to the Ridge to Rivers Trail, community gardens, walking/biking paths and significant open space as a buffer to the established adjacent development. Aspen Hollow's location is central to the many city amenities that Boise has to offer. The homes will be designed to maximize green building principles. The project will tie into the dynamic nature of the site's surroundings and environment as a whole. “We are excited to be a part of this program and have the opportunity to participate in the refinement of a rating system that will encourage environmentally responsible development”, commented Erstad.
The third participant in the pilot program was awarded Idaho Smart Growth's “Grow Smart Award” for best mixed-use project. Aldeia at Water's Edge, located near Boise in Kuna, Idaho, is a 68-acre “retrofuturism” theme community that will be comprised of a wide range of housing choices and price points, including single-family homes with front porches and alley access. Amenities will include an 1800's reproduction country church as a centerpiece in the town square, charter school, lake, retail stores, restaurants, an authentic YMCA with daycare, offices and a much more.
Sustainable practices evident will be solar lot orientation, low impact stormwater strategies and a commitment to LEED for Homes and Energy Star certifications. Many homes will have solar power, small wind power, ground source heat pumps and other alternative energy systems. Smart home technology will be available for those buyers looking for the ability to telecommute and have a home based business. Additional information on this Aldeia, LLC development is available at www.aldeiawatersedge.com.
Steve Benner, President of the USGBC Idaho Chapter, stated, “It’s terrific that we have three Idaho projects in the LEED ND Pilot Program. These projects will provide valuable feedback to the USGBC, enabling us to revise the rating system and improve its effectiveness and applicability to the marketplace.”
ActiveWest, the developer of Meadow Ranch, is committed to developing communities that foster healthy lifestyles, revitalize existing neighborhoods, and respect the environment. ActiveWest projects range from urban cottages and active adult communities such as Meadow Ranch to office buildings and other mixed-use developments in Idaho and California. As a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the US Green Building Council (USGBC), ActiveWest is one of a select group of forward-thinking developers who are building green projects throughout the U.S. Offices are located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Carlsbad, California.