The Florida Association of Realtors is accepting nominations for the 20th annual Environmental Award program. Popularly known as the “ENVY” award, the honor goes to a development that demonstrates it best preserves Florida’s natural quality of life. The award may be given in two categories: one for residential development and one for commercial development.
By entering the competition, residential and commercial developers may be recognized for making the most significant contribution toward building in harmony with Florida’s sensitive environment.
Last year’s ENVY winner for residential development was Lakewood Ranch, a master-planned conservation community located on 7,000 acres spanning Sarasota and Manatee counties. Lakewood Ranch now has the distinction of being the only development to win FAR’s ENVY awards in both the commercial and residential categories. It won the commercial ENVY award in 1999.
Judges praised the community for preserving natural elements, including providing generous greenways, a 451-acre wetland preserve, a 110-acre nature preserve and 400 acres of man-made lakes. In addition, they noted that Lakewood Ranch has received “green building” certification from the Florida Green Building Coalition, which recognizes the development’s effort to build homes that are more cost-effective to own and maintain and are friendlier to the environment. It is the largest master-planned community in Florida to earn this designation.
Some of the other environmentally-concerned developments named as past ENVY Award winners include: Wild Heron, Harmony, World Golf Village, Solivita, Amelia Island Plantation, Rosemary Beach and Viera.
The winner in each category will receive a handcrafted Lucite trophy, recognition at FAR’s annual Convention and Trade Show, Sept. 13-17, and statewide news coverage as Florida’s top environmentally conscious builder. The competition is judged by three distinguished environmental and planning professionals. The entry deadline is Friday, July 7, 2006.
ELIGIBILITY: All Florida commercial developments are eligible. Also, all planned residential developments with a minimum of 30 residential units in Florida qualify. Residential developments must be currently available for marketing and must include a model home.
JUDGING CRITERIA: Commercial: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; (2) architectural compatibility; (3) design in scale and context with surrounding environment; (4) open space and access/usability of surrounding environment; (5) common area access and usefulness; (6) streets, pedestrian and bicycle access; (7) drainage as a design feature; and (8) marketability.
JUDGING CRITERIA: Residential: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; (2) landscaping/compatibility with surrounding environment; (3) design in scale and context with surrounding environment; (4) open space and access/usability of open space; (5) family recreation and common areas (playgrounds, nature trails, etc.); (6) streets and safety features; (7) drainage; and (8) marketability.
SUBMISSION: There is no entry limit and no cost to enter. Simply organize a three-ring notebook with the following material in this order: (1) a written overview of the development (maximum of four pages, typed, double spaced, on 8.5” by 11” paper); (2) supporting material and photographs that address the judging criteria in order as listed above — no videotapes or slides; and (3) a complete set of land development plans and other supporting data. All entry materials will be returned after judging.
DEADLINE: All entries must be received at FAR’s headquarters by Friday, July 7, 2006. Send submissions to ENVY Award, Florida Association of Realtors, 7025 Augusta National Drive, Orlando, FL 32822-5017.