West Hartford builder and developer Tom Falik kicks off the development of a green subdivision with a ceremony today at 10 a.m., at which time 5.48 acres of property will formally be donated to the West Hartford Land Trust. Guests expected to attend the event at 40 Still Road include state Senator Jonathan Harris and Mayor Scott Slifka.
The seven single-family homes at Still Brook will be developed to meet the ANSI-Certified National Green Building Standard. Located between North Main Street and Mountain Road, across the street from Wampanoag Country Club, the homes will range from 2,800- to 3,500-square feet, have three or four bedrooms, two- or three-car garages and walk-out basements, said Falik of Tom Falik Properties, LLC. There will be options with the master bedroom upstairs as well as downstairs. Each home will about a half-acre lot.
“West Hartford has never been as bad as much of the surrounding state or country. The [housing] market has remained relatively strong,” he said, adding, “There’s virtually no land remaining to be built in West Hartford, so I’m confident there’s pent up demand.”
“I believe that green is not only good for the community and the environment, but that it’s the future of building and that we all need to pay attention how we use our resources,” Falik said. “Although many people believe that green is much more expensive, we’re focusing on building efficiently and green, and the houses will be less expensive to own than typical houses of their size.”
The property has already been cleared and graded. The first home is expected to break ground in 45 days. Prices will range from $650,000 to $800,000. They are being designed by Kemper Associates Architects of Farmington “using innovative energy efficiency and low maintenance materials.” They will also be Energy Star certified.
This is one of the first developments in town seeking National Green Building Standard certification, developed by the National Association of Home Builders along with a coalition of industry experts involved in residential construction. It’s the only residential green standard in the country certified by the American National Standards Institute.
"It basically measures how green a home is," said George H. Rafael, director of local government affairs for the membership services for the Home Builders Association of Connecticut, Inc. There are four levels: bronze, silver, gold and emerald.
Standard homes at Still Brook will be built to bronze certification, but options will be offered to buyers desiring a higher rating, Falik said.
Green homes are more than energy efficient.
While “energy efficiency is critical,” Rafael said, “a green home actually goes beyond that and considers other factors such as water efficiency, the use of recycled and other materials that have a minimum impact on the environment, and indoor air quality, making for a healthier home.” Fixtures, floors, how the home is situated on the land, its heating and air conditioning system are also factors.
In addition, the entire subdivision construction process is seeking a green rating of three out of four possible stars.
While this is his first development in town since being transplanted here seven years ago, Falik has been building in Texas and Georgia, including one of the first green building programs in the country built in Atlanta.
“We focus on renewable materials, so for example, we use engineered lumber which tends to be made from lumber scrap rather than full trees. Bamboo and cork are renewable products that are also offered in the home,” he said.
Falik is also committed to creating a green community. He is donating 5.48 acres of the site to the West Hartford Land Trust.
“This donation is the largest parcel of land the trust has ever received,” said John Shulansky, trust president.
With this donation, the Still Brook homes will be surrounded on three sides by dedicated open space.
The homes will be exclusively marketed by Phyllis Atkins Berry and Maryalice Widness of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. They can be reached at 860-231-2600.
