Units Nest Between Forest and Sea

by Connie Potter

Jeff Teeny surveys the 460 breathtakingly beautiful acres at the Village at Cascade Head, north of Lincoln City, with a sense of responsibility.

The site is adjacent to 12,000 acres of federally protected timberland. From various vantage points, there are expansive ocean views and panoramic vistas of rugged woodlands and scenic Devil’s Lake. A herd of 46 elk roams the property. Marbled murrelets nest in the old-growth trees.

As developer of the master-planned resort community, Teeny considers himself a steward of the spectacular natural resources. Together with architect Andrew Montgomery, he has created a vision that’s broader than just figuring out how many units can be wedged into the project. Their focus is to create homes that are in harmony with nature and lessen the environmental impact – all while offering innovative design and requiring little maintenance.

“There really is an opportunity here to do something special,” said Teeny. “This is an opportunity to leave a legacy.”

The project has approval for 1650 single-family residences, townhouses and condominiums that will be clustered in several villages throughout the property.

The first phase, Maplewood Village, includes paired townhouses ranging from two master-suite, 2.5-bath, 1,700-square-foot units to three-bedroom, 2.5-bath units of 2,150 square feet. Prices in the first phase range from $499,000 to $599,000.

Future phases are expected to start at $199,000 for a 1,300-square-foot unit and range up to $599,000 for 2,200-square foot townhouse.

Four townhomes have been competed so far, and 14 more are under construction.

A project kickoff with presentations and tours will be held from 10 a.am. to 6 p.m. the weekend of Sept. 13 and 14 at the sales office, 4355 N. Highway 101, Lincoln City.

Teeny hopes to win city approval for a mixed-use village center that will anchor the community. the plans, calling for a hotel, convention center and retail shops, are currently before the Lincoln City Planning commission.

Ten miles of nature trails and bicycle paths will wind through the wooded hillside of massive spruce and fir trees. Public areas will include a 60-acre nature park and numerous neighborhood parks. Other planned amenities include a community swimming pool, tennis courts and RV storage area.

Adjacent to the property is the 18-hole Chinook Winds Golf Course, which is undergoing expansion thanks to Teeny’s donation of 46 acres. An incentive for early buyers is a lifetime membership to the golf course. the membership is valued at $3,000.

The property abuts Roads End State Park, which is recognized as one of the best surf-and kite-boarding beaches on the Oregon coast.

Another developer initially won approval for the project in 1998, but it never got off the ground. Teeny – who describes himself as a conservationist and outdoorsman – purchased it in 2002 and brought Montgomery, principle architect with Terraforma Architecture & Planning, a Portland-based firm specializing in sustainable design and architecture.

Since then, Teeny has purchased another 93 adjacent acres and hopes to add them to the project.

Deep Green

Villages at Cascade Head is notable not only for its spectacular site and amenities but also for its gentle treatment of the environment. Says Montgomery, “it’s one of the most environmentally sensitive developments in the country. There are a lot of self-imposed restrictions.”

The homes are tucked among the trees so they blend with their surroundings. Each home incorporates green architectural and sustainable development concepts such as concrete poly steel construction, solar energy, geothermal, hydronic heating and storm-water reclamation.

Teeny is also working with several alternative energy companies to provide other renewable energy, including wind and wave energy. “Our desire is to become the largest sustainable eco-resort in the country,” Teeny says.

Teeny’s effort have been rewarded with the platinum LEED rating for the first townhouse completed, the highest rating possible from the U.S. Green Building Council. He expects 10 more townhouses in the initial construction to be certified platinum and others to earn a gold rating. Certification is based on efficient use of energy resources, water resources and land resources, and enhanced indoor quality.

“They really put some thought into creating a home that’s significant in reducing the environmental impact,” said Randy Hansell, LEED for Homes program manager with Earth Advantage. “It was a joy to work with them for the simple reason this was their goal, and they went after it.”

Lincoln City Mayor Lori Hollingsworth said she has been impressed with the developer’s commitment to the environment, without prodding from the city.

“What they’re doing is unique,” she said. “The’ve done it on their without the city requiring or requesting it, and I’m very pleased with that.”

The project represents a new model of how people view their homes, said Montgomery. the old model, he said, was that people bought a vacation home and spent all of their time working on it.

“What we’re saying is, America needs to rethink its way of development,” said Montgomery. “Everybody wants to have a big single-family home, but nobody wants to take care of it, because it’s a maintenance nightmare.”

The walls, floors and even the exterior siding are all concrete products, which offer tremendous energy efficiency and sustainability, said Montgomery. the insulated concrete forms have 6-to 8-inch concrete cores, with plastic foam on each side, making homes tight and quiet. the floors also include poly steel, with a radiant heating system. While wood has about a hundred-year life expectancy, concrete can last centuries, he said.

The concrete shingles, which resemble cedar shakes, give the exterior a rustic look but won’t warp or need re-staining. the composite deck railing, with a PVC coating, has a lifetime warranty. the roof has a 50-year guarantee. The light-emitting diodes (LED) light bulbs should never have to be replaced.

Teeny and Montgomery think buyers will be attracted not only by the environmentally friendly features but also, on a more practical level, by the energy savings. Heating and cooling costs are expected to 40 to 60 percent less than a conventional home. Buyers who upgrade to a renewable energy package for $30,000 – which includes geothermal , solar thermal, LED lights throughout and a vertical wind turbine – will pay even less per month for utilities.

Teeny estimates the heating bill for a 2,200-square-foot townhouse, maintained at 72 degrees, at about $200 a year.

Buyers should also appreciate the lack of maintenance. the $199 monthly homeowners’ association fee will cover all maintenance for the grounds and exteriors.

Mayor Hollingsworth thinks the environmental focus of the Village at Cascade Head will resonate with the buyers as much as it does with city sustainability goals.

“I think it will pay off for them,” she said. “In a soft market, it will be the marketing tool that makes sense and will be the niche that continues to expand.”

Connie Potter is a Portland-area freelance writer. She can be reached at conpotter@comcast.net

Original Article Source: The Oregonian