'Green' subdivision slated for Newmarket

National Post: Jan. 20, 2006
Dayle Parker

'Green' subdivision slated for Newmarket

A new eco-friendly housing development in Newmarket aims to drastically cut energy costs – but saving the Earth will be costly.

The 34 homes in the subdivision, to be built as part of a larger development on the town’s southern flank, will start at $500,000.

For that, you will get four and five bedroom homes – some of them will be bungalows – that can boast a 25% reduction in water use compared with ordinary homes, as well as a 60% decrease in energy use, greenhouse gases and solid waster produced from construction.

Among the features: two-flush toilets.

Basically, it’s a flush for one item, and a separate flush for another item that gives you more water,” says Vince Naccarato, the president of Rodeo Fine Homes, Inc., who notes the toilets cost five times as much as a conventional one.

The development is the product of a request for proposals from the town, which wants to build what it believes is Canada’s first eco-friendly subdivision.

Rodeo bought the 34 lots, designated for the development of environmentally sustainable homes, from the town for $3.2-million. The company is armed with a plan to meet the list of impact-reducing target criteria drawn up by the town back in the fall.

“There’s a myriad of things we can do to achieve any of these criteria, “Mr. Naccarato says. “We’re trying to see which one’s the most efficient, cost-effective way to achieve everything.”

Geothermal heating and cooling systems will replace conventional systems while optional solar panels will heat the home’s hot water.

A rainwater harvesting system will collect water in a holding tank in each house. It can then be re-used for outdoor chores such as washing the car, gardening and irrigation. Efficient appliances, aerator taps and the two-flush toilets will also be installed.

Many of the eco-friendly fixtures Rodeo plans to incorporate are commonplace, including energy-saving light bulbs, LED lighting and programmable thermostats. Special high-quality insulation will also be used.

“We’re not inventing anything. We’re implementing all these great things that are available, and we’re putting them all in one house,” Mr. Naccarato says.

It’s the scale of the project that excites Newmarket Mayor Tom Taylor.

“You can monitor a single house, but the value of having the 34 houses together is that you can get an idea of doing it on a larger scale,” Mr. Taylor says.

The agreement demands Rodeo get town approval at various stages in construction to ensure goals are being met.

“Internally, there will be a project team that will shepherd this through the system so we have these safeguards build into that,” says Bob Shelton, Newmarket’s Chief Administrative Officer.

“We will not issue an occupancy permit until we have verification that the house is, in fact, constructed in accordance with those designs and the initial building permit application.”

The land is part of what is known locally as the Stickwood-Walker Farm, which was bought in March, 2003, by the town. Mr. Shelton says a plan for the land was developed after extensive consultations with nearby residents. The development will include a major recreation complex and a trail system.

Menkes Homes Inc., which lost its bid to build the eco-friendly homes for the town, plans to offer energy-saving homes on its 124 lots in the Stickwood-Walker subdivision.

“If you can save 50% of your heat, and hydro bill, that is extremely substantial over a period time,” Mr. Taylor says.