New Urbanism Makes its Waco Debut
Builder/Developer Mark Felton brings Cotton Crossing to Waco Homebuyers
By Kat Nelson
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
To modern developers, city planners and architects, New Urbanism spells smart growth and is aimed at creating human-scale, walkable, mixed-use communities that are also known as a Traditional Neighborhood DevelopmentTraditional Neighborhood Development (TND).
And now Frontera Development, LLC brings the first TND to the Waco area with their Cotton Crossing community. Located on Western Oaks, Cotton Crossing is on the site that was previously the Western Oaks Country Club and Golf Course. Frontera Development, LLC was founded in 2005 by native Wacoan Mark Felton II.
Mark Felton became interested in the concept after hearing Waco Chamber of Commerce President Jim Vaughan speak about its popularity at a Heart of Texas Builders Association meeting. After researching the subject thoroughly, Felton created Cotton Crossing as a hybrid, in-fill TND community.
“Cotton Crossing is designed to comfortably accommodate residents in different ages and stages of life,” Felton said. “The neighborhood has the look of beautiful, historically-accurate homes. Outside, the homes are finished with James Hardie materials to provide nearly maintenance-free wear. Inside, the homes are packed with the amenities, finishes and technology that buyers want. The exterior details of these elevations also encourage the use of corresponding period details inside the homes.”
In the aftermath of World War II, the nation’s developers began building neighborhoods based on the principles of separate use. This form of development, known as conventional suburban development (CSD) or ‘sprawl,’ has consumed large areas of countryside and vastly increased the levels and necessity of automobile use. As metropolitan areas spread, commuter times soared. It is estimated that the majority of U.S. citizens now live these suburban communities built in the last fifty years.
New Urbanism was pioneered in the 1970s by renowned architect Andres Duany and is among the hottest concepts in today’s’ housing industry. The primary principles of New Urbanism date back to before World War II when families didn’t necessarily have an automobile.
Duany’s firm designed the acclaimed Seaside community in Florida and has co-designed more that 140 cities, towns and neighborhoods worldwide. Across America, there are now more than 650 towns or villages using the principles of New Urbanism.
“One of the most important and significant aspects of a TND community is the re-orientation of social activity and interest in front of the home,” Jim Vaughan said. “TND neighborhoods are designed to create a public room on the front of the home — thus encouraging social interaction and pedestrian traffic. Conventional suburban development — or urban sprawl — orients itself to the backyard of the each home which decreases the likelihood of visiting with your neighbors on an impromptu basis.”
In practical terms, the concept goes far beyond taking what’s old and making it new again. To remain competitive, the developer must create the TND ambiance plus include all the modern living spaces, amenities and technology that consumers demand and competing suburban builders offer.
These new communities incorporate a sensibility toward the regional sense of place and natural environment. A wide range of historic architectural styles increase visual interest, while the extensive use of color, style-and period-appropriate details, texture and pattern create distinctive streetscapes. The street grid is denser and uses increased connectivity, narrower streets and “T” intersections to calm traffic and make walking safer.
Phase one of Cotton Crossing offers garden homes ranging from 1,650 to 3,000 square feet. A homeowner’s association maintains yards and public spaces and property values are enhanced through deed restrictions and an Architectural Control Committee.Styles at Cotton Crossing range from Southern Colonial, Bungalow, Craftsman, Charlestown and more. The community will have seven picturesque lakes with water frontage lots available. A recreation center will feature a landscaped pool and open air clubhouse complete with a commercial kitchen.
Larger homes will be offered in subsequent phases. Lot prices in the community range from $40,000 to $120,000. There are about 300 home sites within the development that will accommodate homes in varying sizes.
For more information, visit http://www.cottoncrossing.net/.
Frontera Development is a full service real estate development company based in Waco, Texas. The primary focus is residential, master planned communities that emphasize the values of New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Development.
**The Dwelling is a monthly publication of the Waco Tribune Herald**
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