Green Homes and Development:
What The Spires Is Doing To Encourage Sustainability
Green homes and development are a priority at The Spires. We began looking at sustainability issues and lowering our carbon foot print very early in the planning process. Our initial survey of the distinctive qualities of the land associated with the development led us to preserve all of the wetlands, creeks and tree corridors. The result was four parks encompassing 20 acres and eight different water courses. By Montana law we only had to create eight acres of park but we more than doubled that number to create a more livable community and to preserve its greatest natural resources.
We worked with the City of Red Lodge to achieve special variances allowing us to more than double the length of the traditional city blocks so we could greatly reduce the number of wetland road crossings that would occur to preserve this resource.
We installed special bottomless arch culverts on the spring creek to maximize the spawning opportunities for the many brook trout that reside in the creek.
In developing our design guidelines we took careful steps to preserve southerly solar orientations to allow for passive solar opportunities in the design process by allowing for zero lot lining to the north on many of our lots. This allows larger southerly facing side
yards to be constructed with more south facing glass thereby encouraging passive solar.
We utilized all of the native top soils and field rocks collected to create rock walls, headwalls for bridges.
Beginning in Phase 2, we are looking at utilizing the installation of Rubber Sidewalk which use recycled tires to create a more durable and cushiony surface than traditional concrete sidewalks. Millions of used tires cannot be recycled every year and this application helps those tires get put to good use.
We are further investigating the use of pulverized glass aggregates as a base material for paving and sidewalks. Many cities in Montana have discontinued glass recycling or have a tremendous oversupply of glass that never gets recycled. This is a great way to put tons of that glass to use in the construction process.
Encouraging water conservation through the use of more zeroscape landscaping is another Spires initiative. In the arid Rocky Mountain west, water is our most precious long-term resource. By encouraging the use of natural and native materials and plants, as opposed to large irrigated lawns, we can have a significant impact in reducing water consumption.
By putting our development inside the city's boundaries and placing it on all city services, we are taking tremendous strides at reducing vehicle trips for essential services, avoiding groundwater pollution, and reducing urban sprawl. All of these are beneficial and sustainable practices.
In the final analysis, it takes creative thinking and leadership to take a role in having a positive environmental impact upon our children's future and that is something The Spires at Red Lodge development team takes to heart.
The Spires is being considered as a pilot project for lunar-resonant streetlights
which consume 90% less electricity and keep the night sky alive.