Tree preservation a priority for Mt Laurel

In Mt Laurel, a TND near Birmingham, Alabama, preserving as many trees as possible is a top priority. “We are not here to rape the land, “ says developer Elton Stephens, “so unlike most developments in the area, we do no mass grading.” On each lot, only the footprint of the house is cleared, and tree roots are severed rather than pulled out. While this procedure costs $600 per lot, Stephens says the cost is outweighed by the savings from not clearcutting and grading. Moreover, the felled trees are recycled as mulch, which is used for erosion control. Mt Laurel currently has 35 homes completed, as well as a two-story, 30,000 sq.ft. commercial building in the town center. “The retail and office has been a pleasant surprise,” Stephens says. “A lot of people want to lease here because they like the atmosphere.” All the second-floor office space has been leased, and future retail tenants include a restaurant, a hardware store, an a pharmacist. Construction of six attached live/work units is expected to begin this year — two of the 2,400 sq.ft. units have already been sold. The community also includes a fire station, built of natural stone collected on the site, and temporary quarters for a Montessori School. Home prices in Mt Laurel begin at $198,000 for townhomes and at $258,000 for cottage homes.