The West Houston Association and North Houston Association have designated four residential projects “Quality Planned Developments” in 2016, recognizing successful efforts to build innovative neighborhoods and working spaces that set the standard for future area development. Three Friendswood Development Company communities received the honor this year including Woodtrace.
“These Quality Planned Developments must build communities to a higher standard and meet a strict set of requirements. So homebuyers know that that they are buying a home in a neighborhood that is designed to stay beautiful and functional,” said Auggie Campbell, president and CEO of the 37-year-old West Houston Association.
The designees were honored during the West Houston Association’s annual holiday reception, Thursday, December 15th at the Westin Houston Memorial City.
Selected as Quality Planned Developments are:
Falls at Green Meadows, a 242-acre residential master-planned community in Katy, Texas developed by Friendswood Development Company. Formerly the site of Green Meadows Golf Course, Falls at Green Meadows will be home to 460 families at completion. Beautiful mature trees from the former golf course dot this neighborhood, ideally located in the heart of Katy at Avenue D and Franz Road and zoned to Katy High School.
Woodtrace, a 488-acre residential master-planned community in Tomball, Texas, is developed by Friendswood Development Company. A 23-acre spring-fed lake sits at the center of this new community in Tomball ISD. Residents enjoy many family activities and residential amenities in Woodtrace, as well as the convenience of living directly off the Highway 249 Tomball Tollway.
Tavola, located in North Houston, seven miles north of Kingwood on US 59, will be home to 3800 families at completion. This grand master-planned community is located near the new Grand Parkway in this rapidly expanding quadrant of Houston. Tavola offers exceptional amenities and family-friendly activities year round.
Hidden Arbor by Trendmaker Development also received the designation.
“We have strived to differentiate our projects from others by establishing higher standards for planning, architecture, landscaping and signage,” notes Campbell. “We have proven over time that such standards result in a more attractive built environment and higher values.”
“We are honored to receive our first distinction awards for Quality Planned Development from the West Houston Association for Tavola in New Caney, Falls at Green Meadows in Katy, and Woodtrace in Pinehurst. Friendswood Development Company takes pride in fact that we introduced Houston to the concept of Master Planned Communities with the inception of Clear Lake City in 1962 and have developed several successful master plans over the past 5 decades throughout Greater Houston. Receipt of this distinction award for 3 of our active communities today further confirms our commitment to excellence and market leading strategies in the development industry and for that we are very grateful," said Micheal Johnson, Senior Acquisitions Manager/Marketing Director, Friendswood Development Company.
The Quality Planned Development designation was developed in 2013 to stem hastily conceived residential and retail development that can occur with the explosive population growth expected in the West and North Houston areas. The first set of Quality Planned Development designations were awarded in 2013 and they included Bridgeland, Cinco Ranch, CITYCENTRE, Cross Creek Ranch, Cypress Creek Lakes, The Vintage, and Wyndehaven Lake Estates. In 2014, Aliana, Mason Creek Corporate, West Ten Business Park, Towne Lake, Ten Oaks and Westway Park received the designation.
To earn the Quality Planned Development designation, projects must meet a stringent set of standards devised by the West Houston Association. Requirements include mandates on park space, sidewalks, landscaping and signage control.
“We hope the standards encourage sustainable development in West Houston and North Houston that will provide families with better neighborhoods, better connections to schools and jobs, and better retail in more enticing destinations,” Campbell said.
“The West Houston Association and North Houston Association are organizations that are continually promoting higher standards of development and this program is a market driven attempt to raise the bar for everyone living in those areas,” said Marlisa Briggs, Executive Director of the North Houston Association.
For more information on the association and to see a full list of the designation requirements, visit www.qualityplanneddevelopments.com.
