My earlier posting about the “Green Home” in Richmond Hill elicited a question/comment from a reader about a “green” subdivision in Newmarket. I am very appreciative of this as it led to me learning about a Newmarket development of 34 homes branded as “Ecologic.” These homes are not as advanced in terms of features when compared to the “Green Home” but there are 34 of them standing and inhabited!
From a November 2008 Newmarket press release of Newmarket. “The EcoLogic development is the first residential development in Canada to be built entirely to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum specifications. These homes will achieve and exceed specific environmental targets, including a 50 per cent reduction in household water draws, a 35 per cent reduction in overall discharge flows and a 60 per cent reduction in solid waste, greenhouse gas production and energy consumption compared to conventional homes.”
From my reading it is evident that Newmarket played a leadership role in this development occurring. Certainly, the inverse of this is being proven in King City.
This week I visited the two presentation centres for King Oaks (the development east of Keele across from GO station.) When asked about any “green features” I heard about R50 insulation versus building code requirement of R40 and appliances with energy star ratings. In other words: nothing! And I guess that is because previous Councils asked for nothing.
There are several sites in King City destined for residential development for which plans are at very early stages. Surely we can influence those developments to be sustainable. It will require strong leadership from this Council as the marketplace is not going to drive it there…at least not fast enough.
Lest there be any doubt: the disappointment that I am expressing about the specifics of King Oaks development is exclusively about the lack of progressive/advanced “green” features. I have no doubt that they will be well built and will truly offer”luxury estate living.”
In 2009 I had an opportunity to tour one of the Ecologic Homes in Newmarket and receive a presentation on various features included in the home and on the property. These 34 homes are a clear and tangible example of what is possible when a municipality and developer work together to create and build a subdivision that moves significantly towards sustainability.
I believe it is very possible in King Township also. It will take a Council, staff, and informed residents with vision and perseverance. And it will mean finding developers who are willing to break new ground in the building industry to achieve a LEED Platinum (or equivalent) subdivision in King Township.
I strongly encourage our King Council to take the lead on this today, as we are in the midst of approving numerous new subdivisions. The Sustainability Task Force, KEAC, experienced Township staff and the Town of Newmarket can be excellent resources in helping to move this vision forward.
This would truly be a big step forward in King Township’s sustainability plan.
So glad to hear your comments Bruce given that you had a chance to tour them. I like your vision. I have been talking up the concept in the Sustainability Task force. Debbie
Debbie,
Enjoy your discussion with the developer. I took the same tour as Bruce and was quite impressed with the green subdivision in Newmarket. The fact that the city owned the land made it much easier than will likely be the case in King.
I too have asked about green features for the King Oaks homes and was just as unimpressed as you with the response. There are NO GREEN Features! All new development in King should be at least LEED qualified, south facing for solar and heated with geo-thermal. This should be legislated by council soonest.
Good luck!
Susan
To ask for All new development in King to be at least LEED qualified, south facing for solar and heated with geo-thermal is a wonderful idea but a very expensive proposition. Would purchasers be happy with these heavy extra costs? Have you considered the problems related to hydro1 when people apply for solar panels on residential homes? Are you aware of what geothermal would cost for a 6000sqft home?
I personally think everyone should at least offer Solar-Panels options, geothermal systems, and grey-water systems.
It’s an unfortunate circumstance but to mandate costly standards like these would hurt an already unsteady market.
It would be wise to hold some sort of a seminar about what LEED homes really mean for a purchaser. There just isn’t enough education on the benefits of sustainability at the moment.
You have touched on a lot of good points Tony. Yes the upfront cost of some of the “green” “sustainable” features is a challenge; how do we get people to realize there are choices. For example: A solar panel or a granite counter? And how do we get people to recognize the daily/annual savings of more insulation, particularly when our electricity bill accurately reflects the real cost of electricity? As a Township where a lot of residential development will occur over the next 10 years we need to worry about all these new homes being built to 20th century standards (i.e. energy wasteful); will there be a market in 2025 willing/wanting to live in these homes which will be <20 years old?