Creating a successful new home community hinges on giving consumers what they want. Higher quality amenities. Big beautiful kitchens. No surprise there, but several studies, most recently from the National Association of Homebuilders and the University of Michigan, suggest that homeowners highly value trails, parks and "views of nature" to serve as a backdrop to daily living.

It's a challenge that Minnesota-based Contractor Property Developers Company (CPDC) has embraced with enthusiasm. CPDC, a pioneer in Traditional Neighborhood Design (TND), is transplanting its New Small Town Neighborhood® concept to Inspiration, a new 245-acre Conservation Neighborhood now taking root in Bayport, Minnesota, outside St. Paul. CPDC is reserving seventy percent of the site-170 acres-for open space, ambitiously restoring vast expanses of native tall grass prairie, oak savanna, wetlands and woodlands that promise to bring both new homebuyers and wildlife flocking.

"Most of the home sites here will have an expansive backyard view of the natural areas, and convenient trail access," says Jack Broughton, Director of Marketing for CPDC. Since natural areas have been placed under a conservation easement held by the Minnesota Land Trust, residents will literally enjoy forever views. Plans call for 250 single-family homes, starting from the high $300,000's. A 73-unit condominium building is also on the drafting table.

Rather than hire a land planner or engineering firm to design the site, CPDC took the path less traveled, asking the highly-regarded environmental consulting firm Applied Ecological Services (AES) to assure that future homebuyers get an authentic, thriving prairie with their morning newspaper. AES also integrated its Stormwater Treatment Train (STT) concept into the land plan in lieu of storm sewer pipes, so that storm runoff can be filtered and cleaned before it leaves the site. Water quality is an important concern since Inspiration borders a state-designated Scientific and Natural Area, and is tributary to the St. Croix River, a federally-designated Wild and Scenic River. The STT will reduce runoff from the site (previously an agricultural field) by ninety-five percent.

Like CPDC's other TND communities, fostering small town ambiance is part of the plan for Inspiration. Three village greens will dot the property, as will two miles of paved and grass trails. Additionally, CPDC is building a nature education center that may be donated to the City of Bayport upon build-out in three to five years.

For the homes, CPDC sought out five builders with a proven track record in TND-enlightened architecture. Model homes are under construction (all built to ENERGY STAR specifications) and will feature high quality components such as Andersen® windows and fiber cement lap siding and trim from longtime CPDC partner James Hardie.

The developer has worked with James Hardie since 1996, according to CPDC Vice President - Sales/Broker, Shelly Tompkins. "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the product," she says, noting that the "street scene" delivered by HardiePlank® lap siding is excellent.

Tompkins appreciates that HardiePlank® siding is created using natural materials and offers homeowners an exterior that is lower maintenance than wood. HardiePlank® siding allows her to introduce historical color palettes that could never be achieved with steel or vinyl siding.

Inspiration model homes are scheduled to be open in February 2006, and will be featured in the Builders' Association of the Twin Cities Annual Parade of Homes Spring Preview.

For more information, visit www.inspirationbayport.com.

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