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Land Plan for the Palisades on Lake Wylie Wins National Recognition from Audubon International for Protecting Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat
Land Plan for the Palisades on Lake Wylie Wins National Recognition from Audubon International for Protecting Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat
Published 03-09-04
Submitted by Rhein Interests
The Palisades is now the first combined residential, commercial and golf course development in the world to be based on a land plan that meets Audubon International's demanding environmental standards. The water quality component of the plan, alone, took more than a year to prepare and is over 1,000 pages long.
The overall plan, which earned high marks for both water quality and protecting wildlife habitat, includes a community outreach education program, innovative erosion control measures, post-development water quality targets and a natural resources management plan. The environmental plan for the Nicklaus-designed golf course will include a nutrient management program, an irrigation management program and an integrated pest management program - all designed to protect the ecology of the area.
The community is a project of Rhein Interests of Charlotte.
"The Palisades is a national example of what can be done," said Ron Dodson, president of Audubon International. "Right now, Rhein Interests is the only developer in the world involved in our program building communities that include midsized homes. Most of the developments in the Audubon Sustainable Community Program are exclusively higher end. Rhein has found a way to create a land plan that is both environmentally sound and economically sound. And you need both for this type of program to work."
The staff at Audubon International worked with Rhein Interests to develop the plan and will continue working with Rhein on a consulting basis as work begins on The Palisades. Installation of streets at The Palisades is underway, and builders are expected to begin building homes this fall and selling homes by spring/summer 2005.
The Palisades is zoned for 4,500 homes, but Rhein Interests opted instead for a low-density land plan that weaves natural open space, a private golf course, a tennis center and bike paths into the community's design with 2,000 homes. The Palisades will also include a soccer complex, equestrian center and seven miles of trails for jogging, hiking and horse back riding. In fact, more than 30 percent of the property will be left as open space. The homes will range in price from the mid $200,000's to over $2 million, and some sections of the community will be gated.
The architecture of the common buildings at The Palisades--from the shops to the clubhouse to the equestrian center--is inspired by Shelburne Farms, the 1,400-acre former Vanderbilt estate on Lake Champlain in Vermont.
"The Palisades represents Rhein's commitment to creating communities while preserving the environment," said Jim Medall, President of Rhein Interests. "At The Palisades, we are working to bring nature and development together in a way that is beneficial to the environment, both during the development stage and later, over time."
Audubon International's Principles of Sustainability were developed to encourage developers of residential communities and golf courses to create land plans that protect the environment. To date, 16 projects nationwide are enrolled in Audubon's Gold Signature Sustainable Development program. The land plans for eight of those communities have been approved. Audubon International is the leading nonprofit environmental group nationwide offering this type of program.
Audubon's approval is the first step to The Palisades becoming a final Audubon International Gold Certified Sustainable Development. To earn certification, Rhein Interests will adhere to the land plan through the completion of construction, and then the project will go through annual environmental audits conducted by Audubon personnel.
Rhein Interests is one of the premier residential developers in the Carolinas. In 2003, more than1,300 lots were sold in Rhein communities in North and South Carolina. In North Carolina, the company has operations in Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham, and is currently building communities in all three areas.
Rhein Interests is known for environmentally sensitive land planning that includes working with the natural topography of the land, respecting the natural beauty of the landscape and weaving open space into each community design. Known for developing carefully thought out, innovative projects, Rhein Interests is dedicated to setting the standard for the industry by creating communities in all price categories that consistently offer superior value, designed to surpass the test of time. For additional information, please contact Jim Medall (704) 527-2333 Ext. 103 or Glenna B. Musante at (800) 849-2118 Ext. 126.
