Green development coming to Queens

Clattenburg is building a new housing development, billed as Queens County’s first energy efficient community. The development, called Maple Ridge Estates, is being constructed in an area close to the top of Old Port Mouton Rd.

The Queens Co. resident primarily works in Queens and Lunenburg Counties, building everything from new homes and additions to doing renovations and home design. Currently he sits as the president of the local homebuilders' association.

Clattenburg is a registered R-2000 builder and registered member of Energuide for new houses. This means he is qualified to do the tests required for eco audits. “This gives you an Energy Star label for the new homes, which is coming into (the building code) shortly,” he says.

There are nine different models of home designs to choose from, ranging from duplexes to full-sized homes. Some designs are suitable for retirement living, while others are large enough for families.

However the designs are not set in stone and Clattenburg fully expects to have customers ask for design changes. The key feature is flexibility, with upgrades and alternatives available in many aspects of the designs. Past experiences have taught him that some people come with a set vision. “I’ve had people come to me with binders full of ideas loads of times,” he laughs.

He doesn’t understand why some builders won’t let customers get involved with designing their homes; he enjoys building someone’s dream home.

The idea for a development like this has germinated in Clattenburg’s head for a while. When the land came up for sale, he thought it was a great opportunity for new development. So far a road has been constructed and nine lots are ready to be built on, with more land surveyed for future development. Clattenburg says the area has lots of advantages, such as being close to town with easy access to the highway, but buffered from the noise and traffic.

Clattenburg says it’s not more difficult to build green, but it involves more thought and detailing when designing the house. He adds the cost of the home is a little more, but it quickly pays the homeowner back with energy bill savings.

One green option he is offering is to make the home solar ready, with a solar hot water system connected to an in-floor heating system. Nova Scotia is ranked as one of the top five best places in Canada to take advantage of solar, and Clattenburg is taking advantage of it through the road design and plot location. “It’s free. Why not take advantage of it?” he says.

Kris Snarby, with Exit Realty Inter Lake, is the realtor for the project, and is the front line for people interested in the development. He can answer questions about the project and showcase home designs. Once a basic design is settled on, the new homeowner works with Clattenburg on the finer details.

For more information, contact Kristopher Snarby at 902-646-1718 or email ksnarby@exitns.com. A showcase of some of Clattco’s work can be found at http://www.clattcoconstruction.ca/