Sustainable Master
Planned Communities
October 18,2007
Dennis Gilkey
CEO & MANAGING PRINCIPAL

Today’s Presentation
Century Commission for a
Sustainable Florida
Factors Affecting Future
Development and Growth in Florida
Sustainable Master Planned
Community Principles
Case Studies

Century Commission
Created by Growth
Management legislation
in 2005
15 members appointed
by Governor and
Legislature
Charged with
establishing a long-term
vision for Florida

Mission
To envision a sustainable
future for Florida
Develop a shared image of
our developed and natural
areas
Focus on essential state
interests
Serve as a repository for
exemplary community-
building ideas
Develop an
annual report

The Process
Gather information
– Academic research
– Topic expert presentations
– Public input
• Website
• Speaking engagements
• Regional meetings
• Values study

Century Commission Products
Envision Florida’s next 50 years and
make recommendations to the
governor and Legislature about how
to realize the vision
Be a catalyst for great new ideas
Connect people and programs /
facilitate discussions
Engage Floridians

Century Commission Products
Address tough issues
– Energy, climate change, water supply,
transportation and education
Address economics
– Jobs, agriculture, infrastructure funding
and affordable housing

Century Commission Products
Map and better understand Florida’s
most precious natural resources
Address how we can save those
critical resources
– Purchase, planning and incentives
Community design
– Energy and water conservation, health,
transportation, disaster preparedness,
best practices, higher densities

Century Commission Products
Commitment to open dialogue,
inclusive process
Partnering
– Public and private organizations
Look beyond the next election cycle,
even beyond the next generation
Vision based planning

Factors Affecting
Future
Development and
Growth in Florida

Florida Demographics
35 Million
STATE POPULATION 94%
18 Million
2006 2050
POPULATION – Age 65+ POPULATION – Hispanic
AGE 55+ Florida Florida
17%
20% &
USA
Growing
12%

Generations - Florida
Avg
1980 2004 (Est) Birth Year
Age
TOTAL POP 9,746,324 17,397,161
Elderly 2,132,176 2,794,614 1921-1941 75
Boomers 2,876,763 4,549,224 1946-1964 51
Gen X 1,574,252 2,711,413 1965-1976 36
Gen Y 459,937 4,017,191 1977-1994 21
New Gen* 0 2,152,866 1995-2006 6
*No name given
SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS

Senior Growth
2000 2030 % Growth
Florida 2,807,597 7,769,452 177%
Texas 2,072,532 5,186,185 150%
California 3,595,658 8,288,241 131%
New York 2,448,352 3,916,891 60%
SOURCE: BROOKINGS INSTITUTE

Top Concerns from the Public
Traffic congestion
Environmental protection
Education, school
overcrowding
Land use
Housing affordability
Safety, security
SOURCE: FLORIDA STATE
UNIVERSITY STUDY

Public’s Desired Smart Growth
Strategies
Infill, higher density
development
Urban growth boundaries
Transit-oriented design
Walkable villages
Conservation
subdivisions
Master planned
communities
SOURCE: FLORIDA STATE
UNIVERSITY STUDY

Mixed Use Town Higher Density
Center Products
Infill - Clustering – Rural
Redevelopment Lands

Growth Management
Hot Buttons
Concurrency
– Roads
– Schools
Affordable Housing
Sustainability
– Energy efficiency
– Green development
Clustering into higher density areas
Walkable communities

Environmental
Hot Buttons
Panthers
Gopher Tortoises
Caracara
Scrub Jays
Water Supply /
Conservation
Preservation Lands
Energy Efficiency
Greenhouse gases

Major Cost Issues
Affordable housing
Species mitigation
Impact fees
Proportionate share
Tax cuts

Major Issues Affecting Growth
In Florida
Global Warming
– Sea-level rise & Psyche
Transportation / Congestion
Education
Quality of Environment
Cost of Living in Florida
Overall Quality of Life

Sustainable
Master Planned
Community
Principles

What is Sustainability?
“Meeting the needs of the
present…
… without compromising the
ability of future generations to
meet their own needs.”
SOURCE: World Commission on
Environment and Development (1987)

Basic Principles
Everything is interdependent
Nature is our model

Basic Principles
Save energy and water
– Use resources efficiently
Reuse, reduce, recycle
– No more “take-make-waste”

Basic Principles
It is not cradle to
grave anymore
– Now it is cradle
to cradle
Use materials
that are safe and
long-lasting

Basic Principles
Ensure economic vitality
– Build quality of community
Seek constant improvement
– Share knowledge

Basic Principles
Think long-term and long-lasting

It’s a balance of:
Environmental Sustainability
Natural Environment
Built Environment
Social Sustainability
Economic Sustainability

Sustainable
Development
Case Studies

Bonita Bay
Group
Communities Cape
Coral EASTWOOD
VILLAGE
Fort
Myers
LEE
COUNTY
Bonita
Springs
COLLIER
COUNTY
Naples

The Bonita Bay Group
Early Vision
“Create a
David Shakarian community where
Founder people, plants and
animals co-exist in
a beautiful, natural
environment.”

Implemented
sustainable, green
concepts over 20 years
ago
– Maximize energy
conservation
– Preserve existing
vegetation
– Xeriscape program
– Irrigation reuse system

Dual Water System
Environmental Leadership

Daniels Rd
US 41
I-75
Alico Rd
Corkscrew Rd
Estero Lee Lake
Bay Trafford
Collier
Bonita Beach
Rd
Gulf of
Mexico

Environmental Stewardship
Before After
Regional Solutions:
– Flow way restoration
Large scale developers
can do more…

Green Roof
Partnership with FDEP
Second phase of pilot
project
Cisterns collect rainwater
for irrigation
Least terns nests
Roof thermal
characteristics recorded

Green Roof
Lessons Learned
Use light colored media
Gradual slope
Irrigation is essential in Florida
Use native / naturalized plants

Master
Concept Plan

Green Commitments
Responsible site
development
Natural resource
conservation
Wildlife conservation
Responsible, healthy
building practices
Green community
and builder
certification
requirements

Recycling

Water Conservation
The Bonita Bay Group has an
award-winning tradition of
responsible water conservation
Dual water lines at Mediterra
– Potable water
– Irrigation water
Drought-tolerant plants for at
least 50% of landscaping
Intelligent, computer-controlled
irrigation system

Energy Efficiency
Amenity buildings
designed to exceed
standard building
energy efficiency and
performance
requirements
Construction ensures a
tight building envelope
Landscape designs
include “softscaping” –
strategically placed
shade trees and plants

“Green Building” Program
Every preferred
homebuilder in
Mediterra has
completed and is
certified in the “Green
Building” program
offered by the
University of Florida

Green Commitments
Responsible Site Development
Natural Resource Conservation
Wildlife Conservation
Responsible, Healthy Building Practices
Green Community and Builder
Certification Requirements

Flow Way Restoration
Water’s Destination: Orange River
Enhances natural beauty of community
Ensures that surface waters reach the
destination nature intended

SR 31
SR 80
Rd
am h
king
O ra
nge
Riv
Buc
er
The Bonita Bay Group plan restored the
natural flow to the Orange River

SR 31
Riverdale
High
School
SR 80
Rd
am h
king
O ra
nge
Riv
Buc
er
Master Concept Plan

Open Space
Community was
planned for 65%
open space Wetland Preserve 125 acres
Upland Preserve 84 acres
Lakes 291 acres
Golf Courses 291 acres
Parks 31 acres
Common Area 158 acres
Trails 9 miles

Oak Tree Preservation
Site was rich with
sprawling stands of
timeless Oaks
Community design
accommodated these
oaks
Most stayed in place;
some trees were
relocated, rather than
destroyed
“Oak Park” was created
to avoid removal of trees

Riverfront Preservation
Conservation easement along
1.75 miles of riverfront
25-200’ easement ensures
preservation of unique
character of riverfront
Includes walking and nature
trails for residents

Wetland Restoration and Protection
Helps recharge area
aquifer
Provides habitat for
extensive variety of
wildlife species
Characteristics:
– Hydrology
– Soil type
– Vegetation types

Recycling
The Bonita Bay Group mandates the
use of construction waste recycling
firm during construction
Verandah construction waste
(estimated)
– 5,400 tons / Recycled or Reused
– 600 tons / Waste
Verandah residents
– Curbside recycling
– Recycling Center at River Village club
for items not recyclable through
curbside pickup

Water Conservation
The Bonita Bay Group
continued its award-winning
tradition of responsible water
conservation
Dual water lines at Verandah
– Potable water
– Irrigation water
Drought-tolerant plants for at
least 50% of landscaping
Intelligent, computer-controlled
irrigation system

Manatee Protection
The Orange River is a
popular gathering place for
manatees in winter
Bonita Bay Group limited
watercraft access to
Orange River
Limits on type and size of
watercraft allowed
Manatee safety measures
are being enforced

Wood Stork Protection
128 acres of
foraging habitat
for wood stork
enhanced and
preserved

Gopher Tortoise Protection
Onsite preserve created for
gopher tortoises

Florida Panther Protection
The Bonita Bay Group purchased 320
acres of land in the interior portion of
the state for panther habitat

A Commitment to Green Building
Two key
elements
– Energy
Efficiency
– Indoor
Environmental
Quality

Three Distinctive Certifications
Community Green
Certification
Model Home Certification
Florida Power & Light
BuildSmart™ Program

Project Location

project
photos

Planning Principles
The River should be the driving force of the project
Integrate water access, river view and theme throughout
Focus on creating neighborhoods through better street design
Provide central amenity within walking distance to all
Introduce small pocket parks and water vistas
Integrate TND principles and require complimentary architecture
Create strong entry sequence and controlled view from SR 80

Community Composition
Legend
Traditional Neighborhood
Design (128)
Conventional
Product (274)
32% Are based on TND plan
68% Are based on conventional
rear-lot “Florida Plan”
All plans are preliminary & s ubject to change.

Architectural Styles

Eastwood
Village
Public / Private Partnership,
Infill Site
Brownfield / Environmental
Restoration
Former well field, gun range,
horticultural waste dump
In a blighted area undergoing
redevelopment
Undesirable adjacent uses
Affordable community
– Mortgage Assistance Program
Potential gateway to Fort
Myers

Sustainable Master
Planned Communities
October 18, 2007
Thank You!