Steps to Creating a Conservation Community

Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio

Dennis McConnell, president of Healthy House of Georgia, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, McConnell discusses steps to creating a conservation community, including balancing environmental preservation with residential needs and how the planning process differs from conventional developments. What defines a conservation community? Conservation communities take special care to preserve natural areas like forests, wetlands and watersheds and create housing that complements the landscape. It’s the idea that “you don’t need to take everything to have a good life.” These communities use the natural landscape to create distinctive neighborhoods instead of pursuing the maximum developed area. What are some goals when designing a conservation community, and what are some challenges? Land is the most significant consideration. In Atlanta, finding larger sections of land is achievable but expensive due to zoning. McConnell weighs the economic and physical development needs of the properties and assesses from there. McConnell’s most recent project, Pendergrast Farm, presented unique challenges due to its location. The land was initially zoned for three-quarter acre properties because that was what a septic tank would fit on in the 1950s. That altered the development plan, made it an expensive property to obtain and created challenges within the natural landscape. McConnell said, “The land was cotton fields after World War II, so all the trees that we're saving now have grown up since 1945, which is a slightly different bent than you'll see in some places where a pine forest should be an oak forest, which takes long to grow.” In order to develop Pendergrast Farm, McConnell and his team worked with county officials to create a new zoning category to accommodate the needs of conservation communities. This precedent makes the development of future communities in DeKalb County one step easier in the future. Other considerations must be made regarding the natural landscape. With streams comes the need for bridges unless the community has double-entry. Preserving rock and forest features also takes time and strategic planning. McConnell also emphasizes the importance of considering factors like amenities in the site plan. For some conservation communities, the open space around the residences is enough, and for others, there is a need for more modern offerings like a pool, sports courts, a clubhouse, etc. “We've been able to get around a 20% premium over the average price in the larger community by having it with an amenity package that people value,” said McConnell. Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about starting a conservation community. For more about Pendergrast Farm, visit www.PendergrastFarm.com. More information about Healthy House of Georgia can be found at www.HealthyHouseofGeorgia.com. About Pendergrast Farm Recently named the Community of the Year for a community with 20 homes or less, Pendergrast Farm is a 20-home conservation community that promotes sustainable living with proximity to Emory University, local hospitals and Atlanta’s best attractions. The community is thoughtfully arranged around a 1-acre urban farm to cultivate a strong connection with Georgia’s rich flora and fauna. About Healthy House of Georgia Led by President Dennis McConnell, Healthy House of Georgia brings 60+ years of homebuilding experience, specializing in customer service and a focus on custom home construction. McConnell’s vast list of in-house and vendor resources ensures that your custom home project is everything you want and more! Podcast Thanks A special thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Known as a trendsetter, Denim Marketing has been blogging since 2006 and podcasting since 2011. It is currently working on strategies for the Google Helpful Content update and ways to incorporate AI into sales an...