Briar Chapel Launches New Website

Newland Communities has just launched its new website for Briar Chapel, which ties very nicely into the "Path to Nature" advertising campaign they launched a few months ago. Along with the utility and landscaping work along 15-501, this is yet another sign that things are progressing towards the opening of their information center during the Green Home Tour in May. Stay tuned to this blog for more details.

Now is the time to let me know if you are interested in moving to Briar Chapel. By doing so, I can help builders gauge demand, and provide input on what buyers are looking for in terms of size and price.

Blog Author Peter Winkler Becomes Certified EcoBroker®

It's official... I have earned the EcoBroker Certified® designation. This means that I have successfully completed a formal training program on the energy and environmental issues that affect real estate transactions. In other words, I am certified to address and encourage the benefits of energy efficiency and green features in homes, such as the ones that will be built in Briar Chapel.

From windows to moisture control to energy savings, I now have more resources at my disposal to help my buyers and sellers make better real estate decisions.

Third Annual Green Home Tour

Mark your calendars! The 3rd Annual Green Home Tour will be held on May 3, 2008 (10 am to 6 pm) and May 4, 2008 (Noon to 6 pm). Including several Briar Chapel entries, there are currently 42 homes on this year's tour. Stay tuned for more details.

Woods Charter School Building Progress Continues

Progress on the new Woods Charter School in Briar Chapel continues. In the photo below, you will see that curbing and sidewalks are being installed. Work is also being done on the inside in order to get the school ready for occupancy in the Fall.

At a recent meeting of Chatham's BOE, the Board discussed several options to relieve overcrowding at the North Chatham School. In addition to installing additional mobile classroom pods and re-assigning students to another school, they discussed the possibility of leasing the current Woods Charter School facility at Cole Park plaza to house some of the North Chatham students. It is scheduled to be vacated by July 1st. A decision will be made at the next meeting on 3/17/08.

Many believe this problem would have been resolved sooner had the new middle school that is planned for Briar Chapel been built on time in 2009 (construction has been delayed until 2010).

Briar Chapel Greenways Progress

Work continues on site development of Briar Chapel. The photo at the right was taken near the 15-501 entrance to the mixed-use development, just behind the recently installed fence. This multi-use paved trail can accommodate two-way traffic and a broad range of users, including pedestrians, cyclists, the handicapped, runners, and strollers. Although this one has an asphalt surface, other trails may be made of either crushed gravel or concrete, depending on location.

Please note that multi-use paved trails are only one type of greenway that is currently planned for Briar Chapel. Other types include: minimum impact (boardwalks), low impact (pervious surface), and sidewalks. Learn more about the types of greenways that will be used in this mixed-use development.

Woods Charter School Announces Waiting List

Woods Charter School has announced that there is a waiting list for the 2008/2009 school year, which will be held in the new school under construction in Briar Chapel.

As of 2/1/08, there were no spots available for grades K-8... K has 85 children on waiting list, 1st has 40, 2nd has 45, 3rd has 50, 4th has 45, 5th has 32, 6th has 26, 7th has 25, and 8th has 8.

High School openings for 10th, 11th and 12th grades will be offered during the month of March. If you haven't submitted your application for these grades, I encourage you to get one in along with a transcript ASAP in order to be considered. Learn more about how the school will manage the waiting list.

Volunteers Need to Help Build Trails in Briar Chapel

Next Saturday (2/9), the Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC) will continue to make progress on the emerging network of trails in Briar Chapel. Plenty of volunteers are needed in order to complete the first phase of trails, which are slated to open this Spring. Approximately 15-20 miles of trail will ultimately be built as the construction advances through the subdivision.

If you're interested, meet at the Exxon station at the intersection of Andrews Store Road and U.S. 15-501 between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro at 9 a.m. Volunteers will then drive to the worksite from there. If you will be late, please call Stewart Bryan at 619-1335.

Briar Chapel Middle School Occupation Date Moved Up

The Chatham County Board of Education (BOE) held a meeting on Monday, January 28, 2008, at Chatham Middle School.

At this meeting, the BOE held a discussion about the Briar Chapel middle school site - they want to ensure that the new school is ready for use as the 2010 school year begins. As a result, the architects will move the occupation date of the new middle school from June 2010 to April 2010.

This is encouraging news, especially considering that funding has been restored/increased and there is consensus that this school needs to be built soon and done right. For more information, visit the Chatham County Schools website.

Woods Charter School Exterior Almost Complete in Briar Chapel

The new Woods Charter school in Briar Chapel is progressing along very well. The Elementary wing (below) has nearly all of its windows installed. Inside, workers are busy putting up insulation and drywall.

Although the new school will allow them to increase enrollment, there may be a waiting list again for students wishing to get in to this school (ranked 6th on SAT scores in North Carolina). Therefore, if you plan to live in Briar Chapel, I suggest that you start familiarizing yourself with the application and admissions process now.

Briar Chapel Among Recommended Economic Development Nodes

On January 7th, a Chatham County task force recommended that the county put commercial development in major corridor areas and preserve the county's rural character. Briar Chapel was listed among the economic development nodes recommended by the panel.

This means that future residents of Briar Chapel will have convenient access to a variety of retail stores and services. In addition, building standards will promote walkability, which will help reduce traffic and pollution. Likewise, the standards will likely require a number of features that will enhance lifestyle, such as open spaces, areas for outdoor eating, and spaces for bikes and alternative vehicles.

To learn more, read the full story from the N&O. Otherwise, I encourage you to visit the website for Chatham County Major Corridor Ordinance Task Force.

Update to Briar Chapel Development Timeline

I just learned that the pre-sales event I mentioned in a previous post has been postponed until early-May. This will likely coincide with the Green Home Tour put on by the Durham/Wake Home Builders Association.

If you are interested in living in Briar Chapel, you need to start preparing for this event NOW. Give me a call at 919-360-1285 so that we can discuss the possibility of putting your existing home on the market, and start the process of getting you pre-qualified. The earlier you're prepared, the better chance you have to purchase the lot and/or home of your dreams when it becomes available!

2008 Will Be Good Year

Happy New Year!!! Guess what I did today? I spent an hour walking around Briar Chapel with my family! What a great way to get some exercise, spend quality time with the ones you love, and dream about what the future will hold.

I believe that 2008 is going to be a great year for those of you who are looking forward to living in Briar Chapel. Stay tuned for more details about the grand opening, which is only a few months away...

Storage Buildings Being Removed

The storage buildings that are located adjacent to the entrance for Briar Chapel on 15-501 are in the process of being removed. This, in combination with the new stone wall and wooden fence, has significantly enhanced the view near one of the main arteries of the development.

Briar Chapel Billboard Near South Square in Durham

I snapped the following photo of Briar Chapel's new billboard in Durham (near South Square in front of the Target store). This went up right around the time when the holding page for the new website appeared. Surely, this is a sign of good things to come!

Briar Chapel Prepares New Website

The Briar Chapel website was recently replaced by the following placeholder. I am keeping an eye on it daily, and will let you know when new information becomes available. Likewise, I am in touch with Newland Communities on a regular basis, so that I can keep you abreast of any changes in their timeline.