THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 20, 1996 TAG: 9601190462
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GINGER ADAMS, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Long : 114 lines
If Ward and June Cleaver decided to move to Hampton Roads today, they would have a neighborhood that would make them feel right at home.
Courthouse Estates, recently developed on a former soybean field off North Landing Road in Virginia Beach, has got the charming white fences and the American flag, the streetlamps and even the elementary school for the Beav right next door.
Here in busy Hampton Roads?
Indeed. According to the homeowners, people even wave as you pass by.
Developer Dick Foster of Baymark Construction says he planned it that way. The mission was to build a community, creating family neighborhoods while preserving the environment.
``We wanted to create a sense of collective community even with the different price ranges,'' he explains. ``The idea was to build a community where people could stay, rather than uprooting, when they wanted to upgrade."
"The kids can stay in the same schools; they can keep their same friends and neighbors.''
Located near Virginia Beach's municipal center, Courthouse Estates is popular with those who want a taste of the country with the conveniences of city living.
The development, which broke ground in May 1994, is designed to have 1,500 homes when it is completed in 1999. Houses of different price ranges are arranged into separate villages, ranging from the low $120s to over $160,000. Each neighborhood averages 60 to 80 homes and has its own common area maintained by the homeowner's association.
Averaging 26 sales each month, phase one of the building plan included four villages: Rockbridge, Amherst, Warwick and Westmoreland. The villages of Rockbridge and Amherst are almost sold out, but similar homes are currently available in Matthews Village.
Now opening in phase two are Matthews Village, priced from $116,900, Highland Village, priced from $127,000, and Appomattox Village, priced from $145,000.
Susan and Travis Hale, Virginia Beach natives and residents of the Matthews Village since October, like the large yards and the small neighborhood feeling. They plan to stay until retirement.
``It reminds us of a Norman Rockwell neighborhood,'' says Susan. ``We really love it - and it's real close to Bergey's Dairy. Just a short drive away from a chocolate malt.''
The Hales' thoughts are echoed by Terry and Howard Wanamaker of the Westmoreland Village, newlyweds and homeowners since July 10. ``We know 90 percent of our neighbors. It's a Mayberry-type of neighborhood. I think similar people are attracted to the same type of neighborhood because we all want to get to know each other.''
In December the City Planning Commission awarded Foster the 1995 Outstanding Residential Development Award for the community's ``country estate atmosphere'' and for its excellence in quality and commitment to detail.
``We didn't want the housing prices to determine the housing quality,'' Foster says. ``We built the homes at the lowest range with the same quality as those in the highest range, and with the same amenity package.''
The neighborhood schoolchildren also awarded Foster in their own, perhaps more meaningful, way - by sending him scores of letters thanking him for also beautifying the North Landing Elementary School property.
Foster volunteered to landscape the school's property, too, since this would be the community school. He put in fencing, sidewalks, and a lake to separate the school from the residential area.
No homes in Courthouse Estates back up directly to the school grounds. However, a direct walking path gives easy access to the school property. The road leading to the school was designed without driveways so the children could walk safely to school.
Susan Hale, a teacher and mother of two preschool children, is also pleased with North Landing's reputation as a solid school.
Paul and Jackie Placchetti feel the neighborhood is safe and good for kids. Their 9-year-old, Sean, started in North Landing this fall. ``The principal is great, the teachers are great,'' said Jackie. ``And the kids in the neighborhood walk to school in groups.''
But, again, what won the Placchettis over was the sense of community. Jackie, an analyst at NationsBank, can't say enough about her neighbors.
``We just love it,'' she says. ``Especially our community - everyone knows everyone. Every month we have block parties or game parties, we watch each other's kids. The girls all go for walks together and the guys go golfing. Everyone is friendly.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]
GARY KNAPP
Jackie and Paul Placchetti with son Sean and neighbor Heather
Merner. The four-legged creature is Muffin.
Susan and Travis Hale with children Austin, 18 months, and Brandi,
3.
AT A GLANCE
VP Map
ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Schools: North Landing Elementary Landstown Middle School and Kellam
High School.
Shopping: Lynnhaven Mall is 20 minutes away by car. The Farmers
Market is about 10 minutes away. Several retail areas off Princess
Anne Road west of the courthouse area.
Recreation: The Intracoastal Waterway is a mile away. The
recreation center on General Booth Boulevard is 1 1/2 miles from
Courthouse Estates. Princess Anne Park is two miles away; Red Wing
Park about a 2 1/2 miles drive.
FOR SALE
Houses in this 18-month-old development of different price ranges
are arranged into separate villages, ranging from the low $120s to
over $160,000. Some examples:
Matthews Village: Prices begin at $116,900.
Highland Village: Prices begin at $127,000.
Appomattox Village: Prices begin at $145,000.
by CNB