Berlin “Smart Growth” Cluster

NDC is collaborating on the development and construction of a unique cluster residential project in a rural community west of Boston MA. Located on 66-acres, the 68-unit Sawyer Hill condominium development includes a combination of many green/smart-growth, social, land planning, and energy- conservation aspects that have made this effort a first of its kind in the nation:

• As with Nexum's earlier Trails at Wayside project, a collaboration with the local community and a land preservation non-profit organization has resulted in over ½ of the 66-acre site being placed in perpetual conservation as preserved Open Space. This was accomplished at no cost to either the Town or the land trust; the acquisition funds were provided solely thru the financing utilized for the cluster development.
• The tightly clustered developed area is located on approximately 12 of the 66 acres, on a portion of the land that was already disturbed by a prior owner’s nursery business.  The remaining 54 acres will essentially remain in its original wooded, undisturbed state, and is adjacent to significant state and local protected Wetlands, watersheds and woodlands.
• An on-site water supply and a state of the art wastewater treatment facility, meeting all state and federal environmental regulations, reduce reliance on municipal services.
• With typical new homes in the area costing in excess of $1.0m, 25% of the Sawyer Hill units will be maintained as deeded Affordable Housing, provided a needed housing option for the local community’s teachers, fire fighters, and others.  A unique internal funding program makes available a sliding-scale purchase price for the balance of the units, based on financial need.
• A “first of its kind in the country” by placing two independent groups of Cohousing owners on one commonly owned property.
• The tightly clustered land plan allows for a variety of energy conservation opportunities, including central plant heating systems fueled by renewable bio-fuel, groundwater recharge, minimal impervious surfaces, etc., native vegetation, etc.
• The unit designs, materials, and construction techniques provide for state of the art energy savings.