GREEN LIVING 101 - COMMUNITIES GO GREEN

A growing trend in urban areas of the Northwest is the planned community - a self-contained "mini-city" that includes parks, recreational areas, restaurants, shopping, and even schools.

Planned communities support sustainable development by providing an alternative to urban sprawl, with an overall density comparable to other suburban communities but with buildings more closely clustered together. They also make car-free living viable, cutting down on air pollution and traffic congestion.

The planned community of Issaquah Highlands is being praised by many as a model of smart suburban growth. Developer Port Blakely Communities maximized open space by positioning the homes along narrow streets and zoning a central location on High Street for retail and commercial businesses (including two LEED Silver-certified buildings). Within the 2,200-acre community, nearly 1,500 acres are designated as parks and open space.

Issaquah Highlands homes are available in many styles and price ranges, ranging from income-qualified rentals to multimillion-dollar mansions. However, all new residential construction has at least one thing in common: It is required to have a four-star Built GreenTM rating and Energy Star® certification (or the equivalent).

"Given our forestry tradition, it is very easy for us to embrace sustainable development."
Judd Kirk, President of Port Blakely Communities

According to Judd Kirk, president of Port Blakely Communities, taking a green approach with such a massive development wasn't a tough decision. "A large part of our company [Port Blakely] is timber and forest management. Given our forestry tradition, it is very easy for us to embrace sustainable development. We set ambitious goals and are committed to seeing them through."