An Environmental Newsletter published by Metro-Dade County DERM

Dade County Environmental IMPACT
September 1995, VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2

An Environmental Newsletter published by Metro-Dade County DERM

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Enviro-Friendly Community breaks new ground in South Dade

What will South Florida housing developments look like in the future?

The answer to that question may be about to rise from some newly poured foundations in South Dade.

June 5, 1995 was the groundbreaking ceremony for Jordan Commons, the South Dade model ecological community to be built by Homestead Habitat for Humanity.

President Clinton took part in the ceremony via teleconference during which he discussed his national home ownership strategy.

Jordan Commons is being built on a 40 acre site in Princeton. The effort will be the largest single development ever tackled by Habitat in the U.S.. The development will include 187 single family homes and a number of centrally located community buildings and parks.

DERM's involvement with Jordan Commons began soon after Hurricane Andrew. The project was seen as a way to promote energy efficiency in the rebuilding effort. DERM established a steering committee and created an alliance with Habitat for Humanity, Florida International University's Environmental Studies and School of Design, the Florida Energy Office, the Florida Solar Energy Center, the South Florida Water Management District, We Will Rebuild, and architect Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk.

The committee helped develop the site plan, obtain proper zoning, identify energy-efficient features and procure funds and grants.

The committee incorporated recommendations from DERM's Urban Carbon Dioxide Reduction Plan; a plan to reduce global warming through energy efficiency and sustainable development.

When complete, Jordan Commons will be a sustainable community of energy efficient homes and civic buildings. Energy savings are estimated to reach between 40 and 60%.

Some of the innovative environmental features of the community will include:

Cool Communities. Jordan Commons has been designated as a "Cool Community" demonstration project by the EPA. The project objective is to strategically plant trees around the homes and use white reflective paint colors on the roofs and walls to maximize cooling. Houses are designed for maximum cross-ventilation including ceiling fans reflective window tint and extended overhangs.

Energy Efficient Appliances. Each house will be fitted with the most energy efficient appliances available including air conditioners, solar water heaters and photovoltaic lighting.

Water Conservation. The houses will be fitted with low flow showers and toilets. Additionally, a gray water system will be installed in 40 homes to recharge the aquifer and the treated wastewater will be utilized for subsurface irrigation.

Solid Waste. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the EPA's Office of Solid Waste Management are using Jordan Commons as a demonstration site for proper solid waste management including the appropriate methods for recovery and reuse of construction and demolition debris. The lessons learned will be shared with builders around the country.

Additionally, because homeowner behavior is so important for conserving energy, a homeowners manual, a video and educational classes on the operation and maintenance of their own homes will be provided to all homeowners.

Some additional Urban Design features include interwoven homes, civic buildings, community stores, bank, day care and recreational facilities. The narrow streets and wide sidewalks lined by trees promote walking and cycling.

DERM received grants to coordinate and staff the steering committee responsible for conceptually developing Jordan Commons, to purchase water heaters and photo-voltaic lights, to develop the gray water system and to develop a comprehensive environmental education program at Jordan Commons.

When completed, Jordan Commons is expected to serve as a model for how communities should be built across the nation. Already the project is being used as a model by some of Habitat's other 1,100 affiliates and other housing organizations. Recently a partnership was formed with a sister city in South Africa to transfer technologies and develop a similar community.

Other Publications available from DERM

Environmental Impact is just one of several publications available from DERM.

Pollution Prevention Quarterly--a newsletter aimed at the industrial community is filled with articles which help the reader reduce waste and pollution in business.

Natural Areas News--an update on Dade County's efforts to preserve, protect and enhance our unique natural areas.

Environmental Tips for your home--a pamphlet filled with tips on how to reduce the amount of waste and pollution that is produced in your home.

To be added to the mailing list for any of these publications, call DERM's publications hotline at 372-6962.

Herbicide Workshop offered October 21

The Air potato is just one of many exotic species of plants that are crowding out natives in South Florida. Are herbicides the answer? Find out from the experts at a public workshop on herbicide use in forest restoration work. Offered on Saturday, October 21 at 9 a.m. For information contact Joy Klein at 372-6587.

The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable Conference comes to Miami Beach, December 6-8, 1995. For more info contact David Bromfield at 372-6727.

Dade County Environmental IMPACT
Volume 2, No. 1. July 1995
Published six times a year by the Metro-Dade Department of
Environmental Resources Management
33 SW 2nd Ave. Miami FL 33137
(305) 372-6770

John W. Renfrow, Department Director
Doug Yoder, Assistant Director
Carlos Espinosa, Assistant Director
Alyce Robertson, Assistant Director
Andrew Dodge, Editor/Graphics
Julio Calle, Contributing writer

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Arthur E. Teele, Jr., Chairperson
Maurice A. Ferre, Vice Chairperson
Armando Vidal P.E., County Manager
Robert A. Ginsburg, County Attorney

Beth T. Ferguson, District 1
James Burke, District 2
Arthur E. Teele, Jr., District 3
Gwen Margolis, District 4
Bruce Kaplan, District 5
Pedro Reboredo, District 6
Maurice A. Ferre, District 7
Katy Sorenson, District 8
Dennis C. Moss, District 9
Javier D. Souto, District 10
Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, District 11
Alexander Penelas, District 12
Natacha S. Millan, District 13

Metro-Dade County provides equal access and equal opportunity in employment and services and does not discriminate on the basis of disability. It is the policy of Metro-Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Printed on Recycled Paper... Naturally!

To be added to our mailing list call (305) 372-6962

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT is published and distributed to provide environmental information to the people of Date County.


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Last Updated: November 25, 1997