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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 27, 2017)
Wednesday, September 27, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 7 Sisters home on green tour On Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., innovative homes in Sisters, Terrebonne, Bend, and Sunriver will open their doors and welcome the Central Oregon community to come and explore how they are saving energy and creating healthier living environments for their occupants. This will be the 17th year that the Green Tour will offer the community a chance to meet homeowners, builders, designers, and solar contrac- tors and see first-hand how they are pushing the envelope on green building. The tour features eight homes packed with energy-saving features, plus a tour of the Neff Road solar farm in Bend. Highlights include a straw-bale home in Terrebonne, 1926 energy ret- rofit and zero energy ADU in Bend, a high-end, high-per- formance home in Tetherow, and the Delphinium cottage in the ClearPine cottage development. ClearPine is a new com- munity in Sisters, constructed on the former Lundgren Mill site. The Cottages are at the heart of the larger planned community of ClearPine. The location was previously a lumber mill for 50 years, the largest employer in the region, but was shuttered in the early 1960s. Later, the remnant buildings burned to the ground, but the site was remediated and certified clean by the DEQ in the early 2000s. In 2015, the Sisters City Council approved the master plan for ClearPine, and construction of the com- munity began. The small cottages, rang- ing in size from 1,004 to 1,214 square feet were a conscious decision to create “right-sized” homes to meet a need for greater affordability and use less land and building materials. All homes have a master downstairs to address the needs of those looking to age in place. The two-story homes have two masters allowing for flexibility and potential for multiple genera- tions to live together. Small spaces are as flexible as pos- sible for multiple uses. In this cottage develop- ment, each home will be Earth Advantage certified which means that they will be 20 percent more efficient than code. Energy Star appliances are used and heat pumps pro- vide efficient heating and cooling. Since hot water can account for up to 20 percent of a home’s energy use, water runs are central and short, decreasing hot-water waste. Water Sense faucets and toilets are used, further decreasing energy and water demands. Low VOC interior paints and sealants and hard- surfaced floors in high-traf- ficked areas help to improve the indoor air quality of the home, and a heat-recovery PHOTO PROVIDED ventilator provides fresh air. A home in the ClearPine development at the former Lundgren Mill site is In addition to the effi- on the Central Oregon Green Tour on Saturday. cient and healthy building practices, ClearPine is faith- the Delphinium cottage on that there are lots of people ful to preserving as much of the tour this year because already making a difference the character of the site as it demonstrates sustainable in our community — that possible. Their plan calls for building practices in so many there are positive solutions removing mature trees only ways” said Lindsey Hardy, right at our fingertips — and when necessary. Where pos- with The Energy Challenge. encourage them to find out sible, the best trees are spared “From the walkable location about more ways they can by placing a property line and developing on a brown- save energy.” View a full listing of sites, at the base of the tree, or in field site to the commitment a future building setback. In to allowing occupants to age features and addresses at cooperation with the Upper in place in a home with great theenergychallenge.org/tour. Deschutes Watershed Council indoor air quality and consis- and Deschutes Land Trust, tently low utility bills. “This tour is designed to the developer donates all The Garden Angel large trees removed during inspire and educate every- construction for placement one in our community and in local streams to help cre- empower them to take mean- ate and restore river habitat ingful action at home and for native fish species. Rather at work,” said Hardy. “This A natural than cutting the trees, the tree year we are really focusing approach to is pulled from the ground, on highlighting all the great root ball and branches intact, things that are already hap- lawn care trucked and placed in-stream. pening in our community. LCB#9352 “We are thrilled to have We want to show people 541-549-2882
