Page 6 - Mar-Apr19 Vol36 No7

STATEWIDE
The Development of Amenities
Public Works and infrastructure
improvements are not just important for
your daily commute on a well-paved road,
or cleaner stormwater flowing into your
local streams. They also play a role in
drawing development into a community.
Communities need continuous growth to
increase the tax base and create revenue
to fund future infrastructure projects.
In recent years, municipalities are
allocating more money to roadway paving
programs, improving water quality,
expanding greenway systems, creating
trail networks, and building parks to meet
the needs and desires of their residents.
By creating these spaces and investing in
infrastructure, cities are adding value and with homes slated in the $275-$350K
improving their communities.
A homebuyer does not purchase
within a subdivision based solely on
the zip code. Many factors influence
buyers’ decisions, including the length
of commute, quality of roads, quality of
school districts, proximity to retail and
commercial, lifestyle choices, and on-site
amenities. Today’s homebuyer has access
to so much information online that a
developer must be able to connect with
potential buyers on a different level.
Residential developers can use municipal
improvements as an amenity to help
create and market their developments.
One developer believes that nicer
surrounding areas and the quality of
infrastructure can increase the value of a
potential development and allow it to be
catered to that specific community area.
A community pool with lots of seating. Outdoor seating space with a fireplace.
6 TPW March/April 2019
Included amenities can transform a
subdivision into more of a neighborhood,
providing prospective buyers a variety
of reasons to select a particular location.
When a developer selects a property and
is deciding on the type and price range
of subdivision lots and homes in that
location, amenities can be included to
appeal to varying lifestyle choices of the
potential buyers in the target market.
Local municipal infrastructure influences
the types of development, price markets,
and even the size of homes. The selected
amenities will then be included in the
marketing of the development. For
instance, a recent subdivision project
target market included in the design a
community park, a large “tree-save” area,
and a swimming pool with a clubhouse.
Another example is a multi-use residential
development, with townhomes, carriage
homes, and single-family detached homes,
which included a community pool,
multiple greenspaces, a playground, a dog
park, and a future connector to a city trail may offer self-contained walking trails
system.
A traditional amenity in a subdivision
is a community pool. Today, these pools
are typically much more than just a
rectangle in a fenced area. Upgrades
might include fully equipped clubhouses,
pool cabanas, grilling areas, or a pavilion
that is available for use by residents for
social events. Some pools may have a
separate kiddie area for the little ones,
or lane lines for lap swimming. Some
By Kelli Richardson, P.E., CPESC
developments have even advertised a salt
water pool or an infinity pool with lush
landscaping. The local community may
have a public pool or splash park that
can be included in the marketing of the
surrounding area.
People love their dogs and consider
them a part of their family unit. For
these reasons, dog parks or designated
dog walking areas are becoming more
common in developments. Subdivisions
may include dog walking stations,
which encourage pet owners to keep the
common areas clean. Maybe the local
municipality has a community dog park
that can be included as a community
benefit of the subdivision.
Individuals who choose active
lifestyles may consider the subdivision’s
proximity to hiking and biking trails or
other outdoor activities. Subdivisions
may include walking trails that connect
to local greenway systems. Others
with benches. Pocket parks within a
development may offer picnic areas, park
benches, or swings to relax on a nice day.
If the development is near a stream or
waterway, a boat ramp, mooring dock,
or canoe/kayak launch may be included.
Cycling is a great family activity and
depending on the location, residents
may choose to ride on local greenways
or mountain biking trails. Access or
proximity to these trail systems or parks
is another amenity that can foster a
connection to the family who enjoys