docLethbridge, Alberta - Pacific Northwest Development Council
download 
Report Transcription
Lethbridge, Alberta - Pacific Northwest Development Council
Lethbridge, Alberta Pacific Northwest Economic Development Conference July 17, 2006 Lethbridge, Alberta Felix Michna SCREEN PLAY SunRidge – Episode 1: The Prequel The Concept The Plan Plan Results Lessons Learned SUNRIDGE : THE PREQUEL • Lethbridge • 49 square miles • Population 78,713 (2006 Municipal Census) • Economy underpinned By agricultural, institutional sectors SUNRIDGE : THE PREQUEL • Participant in residential land development business : >30 years • One of 8 developers in City • Takes about 15-25 % of residential lot sales share SUNRIDGE : THE PREQUEL • Remain in land development business: • Filling market need where no private sector interest • Serviced lot provision for small builders, public • Augment industrial development projects • Fulfilling social component of development • income generation • Leadership and innovation opportunities SUNRIDGE : THE CONCEPT “All you need in this life are ignorance and confidence and then success is sure” Mark Twain • 2004 two matters converged • need to service new residential area given significant builder demand for lots • opportunity to combine land development project incorporating sustainable community concepts SUNRIDGE : THE CONCEPT (continued) • Major flaw recognized • pressure to bring serviced lots on stream rapidly • limited time and resources to develop comprehensive sustainability project SUNRIDGE : THE CONCEPT (continued) • Solution • apply ‘baby step’ sustainability approach in initial development stages • work in bottom-up and top-down fashion • engage house building industry (emerging as leaders in energy efficiency applications) SUNRIDGE : THE CONCEPT (continued) • Steps in Concept Development Council approved approach to project Project would: i. have demonstration homes incorporating ‘green technology’ innovation promoting energy efficiency ii. allocate 5% to affordable housing iii. plan and develop SunRidge as a “green community”, starting small, ending big SUNRIDGE : THE CONCEPT (continued) • Steps in Concept Development Council approved approach to project Project would: iv. have return on investment not dissimilar to ‘regular’ developments v. confirm public and market interest in such a project vi. establish means of stimulating interest of building community to execute plan SUNRIDGE : THE PLAN “Plan” “To bother about the best method of accomplishing an accidental result” Ambrose Bierce Land Use plan prepared by consultants fairly standard suburban model 84 ha plan area 1st 2 phases 49 Ha central storm pond dominated open space 11.5 ha SUNRIDGE : THE PLAN (continued) Land Use utilization of existing topography/land forms for storm management principally low density with mixed use opportunities at entryway engage specialized consulting team to set principles of sustainability for development beyond Phases 1 & 2 g din n ily Pe le -fam a S lti Mu Future Development g din l n Pe rcia e e l Sa m m Co Nicholas Sheran Park Varsity Village RiverStone Mountain Heights Phase 2: North Phase 1: South Future Development N SUNRIDGE : THE PLAN (continued) Builders typically, risk averse in good market times Reviewed Built Green Alberta model and met with builders to explore possibilities Built Green Alberta energy efficiency/sustainability building practices indoor air quality resource use overall environmental impact 3 levels of ‘built green”: bronze, silver, gold self driven enforcement via Home Builders Association SUNRIDGE : THE PLAN (continued) We set out incentive program to builders minimum bronze level for SunRidge $3,500 deposit to ensure minimal bronze with refund on proof of completion $2,500 rebate to homeowner with silver rating $3,500 rebate to homeowners with gold or higher Note: had to be certified Alberta Built GreenTM to build in SunRidge SUNRIDGE : THE PLAN (continued) We created demonstration home program invited participation “outside box” thinkers need apply 6 respondents SUNRIDGE : THE PLAN (continued) We created demonstration home program invited participation “outside box” thinkers need apply 6 respondents provided small financial incentive for “outside box” homes We created discount system 2% builder 1% member L.H.B.A 2% demo home builder SUNRIDGE : THE PLAN (continued) Developer/Community Wide Commitments We focused on storm pond/open space utilized a natural purification system incorporating wildlife habitat Will focus on using stone materials to add to water drama SUNRIDGE : THE PLAN (continued) Developer/Community Wide Commitments We focused on 28 acre storm pond/open space utilized a natural purification system incorporating wildlife habitat information kiosk and information trail series of four roundabouts for traffic calming/pedestrian friendlier area SUNRIDGE : THE PLAN (continued) Developer/Community Wide Commitments We focused on 28 acre storm pond/open space utilized a natural purification system incorporating wildlife habitat Information kiosk and information trail Series of four roundabouts for traffic calming/pedestrian friendlier area proposal calls for multi family/commercial sites evaluation to be based on incorporation of green building technology and price developed ongoing major marketing commitment Keeping project in forefront www.sunridgecommunity.ca SUNRIDGE : PLAN RESULTS “You can plan and plan and plan. It’s all in the execution” Napoleon Bonaparte following Battle of Austerlitz, 1805 Builders initial 99 lot phase serviced demonstration homes scheduled for May completion significant acceptance of Built Green concept by builders and public Built Green has caught fire 1 builder certified in Jan 2006 30 builders certified in March 2006 SUNRIDGE : PLAN RESULTS (continued) Builders Demonstration home builders initiative recycling of building materials we are to provide appropriate bins for wood, metal, plastic, cardboard etc. SUNRIDGE : PLAN RESULTS (continued) Builders Demonstration home builders initiative recycling of building materials we are to provide appropriate bins for wood, metal, plastic, cardboard etc. SunRidge to utilize recycled materials on site chipped wood, plastic posts, benches, etc. builder promotion of Built Green and SunRidge now significant SUNRIDGE : PLAN RESULTS (continued) Developer/Community Wide We will be incorporating energy efficient applications in community park area wind and solar generated power for pond & pumps exploring solar lighting possibilities solar trash compactor experimental sections of walking paths using permeable materials pond water for irrigation purpose SunRidge now generally regarded as opportunity for sustainable testing partnership with Oldman Watershed Council for education of residents, public and builders SUNRIDGE : PLAN RESULTS (continued) Developer/Community Wide training inaugurated for entire City Building Inspection Staff in Built Green Alberta – 1st in Province foundations laid for next phases to create a more dramatic pedestrian oriented “green sustatinable neighbourhood SUNRIDGE : LESSONS LEARNED consultants don’t know everything Significant acceptance of Built Green concept by builders and public Incentives still work “bottom-up” approaches seem to work better than “top-down” approaches be flexible and opportunistic SUNRIDGE : LESSONS LEARNED we’ve been the enemy and it’s us biggest obstacles to change are within no two municipalities can approach sustainable community development the same way; but each can show leadership “Nihil sub sole novi est” Ancient Roman saying “There is nothing new under the sun” Modern saying
