Briar Chapel Commits $100,000 to Chatham County

Briar Chapel has just announced a $100,000 commitment to the Opportunity Chatham Campaign, a $3 million fundraising initiative spearheaded by the Chatham County Economic Development Corporation to drive and capitalize on the attraction of new business and retention of existing firms in the county. Newland Communities has pledged to pay the donation over a five-year period, with the final payment in 2014.

This is in addition to more than $42,000 that Briar Chapel donated to other local organizations and charities during 2010, including: Abundance Foundation, Woods Charter School, Chatham County Office of Human Relations, Triangle Off-Road Cyclists, Chatham County Arts Council, Green Home Builders of the Triangle, the Town of Chapel Hill and United Way of Chatham County.

Icy Day in Briar Chapel

The roads were a bit too icy this morning, so I decided to abandon my vehicle and walk back home. I snapped this photo while walking along the trails.

Informative signs, such as this one, have been installed throughout the development recently. They indicate points of interest along the trails, as well as aspects of nature and wildlife nearby.

These signs are similar to ones found in State Parks across NC, such as the Jordan Lake Educational State Forest nearby. The sign shown here addresses soils and topography, whereas the one installed along the walkway near the bridge explains how Pokeberry Creek is a stream/wetland complex.

When you have some time, I encourage you to explore the many miles of trails that Briar Chapel has to offer - either by foot or bike. In addition to getting some exercise, you might just learn something!

Briar Chapel's HOA Now Managed By EWPCM

The Board of Directors of Briar Chapel's HOA recently announced that East West Partners Club Management (EWPCM) would replace CAMS Management Company as Briar Chapel's HOA management company. This is great news for residents and prospective buyers.

EWPCM was founded in 1993 to provide management services to communities and other recreational facilities on a third-party basis throughout the US. It is a division of East West Partners, a national real estate development and management company with operations in North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, Florida and California. Locally, they are best known for developing master planned communities such as Woodcroft, Meadowmont, and East 54.

EWPCM's industry expertise and quality of service have already been demonstrated by Brittany Plumb, Briar Chapel's activity director. She is an employee of EWPCM.

Happy New Year!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and prosperous New Year! If 2011 is the year for you to make a move, I hope you will consider Briar Chapel. Please contact Peter Winkler to schedule a private tour of the development, and learn what it is like to be a resident of this wonderful neighborhood.

Meet Briar Chapel's Activities Director

Buyers often ask me what type of events are planned by Brittny Plumb, Briar Chapel's full-time activities director.

As a resident, I can tell you that she does an incredible job putting together activities for both children and adults that enrich and entertain, as well as encourage neighbors to get to know each other better.

But, don't take my word for it. Browse the January 2011 Newsletter, and see for yourself what a wonderful job Brittny does.

When you decide to become a resident of Briar Chapel, so that you can start taking advantage of the many great activities she plans, I hope you will consider me as your buyer's agent.

Ansel Adams Visits Briar Chapel?

My brother-in-law took this shot while visiting the other day. Thanks to Briar Chapel's effort to preserve over 900 acres of trees, it doesn't get any more beautiful than this!

Newland Named 2010 Developer of the Year

Congratulations are in order for Newland Communities on being named Builder and Developer magazine's "Developer of the Year" for 2010!

Newland is the largest private developer of planned residential and urban mixed-use communities in the U.S., including Briar Chapel.

Read the full story.

For Sale: 1378 Great Ridge Parkway

Briar Chapel's second resale is the Hillcrest, from the Arbor Series by M/I Homes. Casually elegant, this home includes ~3313 heated sqft, 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths. It is currently being offered at $399,000.

The main level features a dramatic 2-story entry with split staircase, a formal dining room with trey ceiling, and a large eat-in kitchen with center island, stainless steel appliances, quartz counters and M/I's signature planning center. In addition to a half-bath for guests, there is a great room with gas fireplace located opposite the breakfast room as well as a study located off of the foyer with access to the front porch.

The second floor features a spacious owner's suite with a walk-in closet and ensuite bath with separate tub and shower. You will also find the laundry, three additional bedrooms and two full baths upstairs.

When the weather is nice, the screened porch is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate, or watch the rest of the family enjoy the fenced-in rear yard. When you feel like venturing out, the Briar Club is a short distance away, which includes two salt-water pools, waterslides, a playground, and state-of-the-art fitness center.

If you would like to schedule a tour of this beautiful home, please contact Peter Winkler. I will be more than happy to point out its various green features, as well as show you the amenities that residents enjoy throughout Briar Chapel.

To view room dimensions and additional photos, please visit Realtor.com.

This post was made with permission of the listing agent.

Briar Chapel Featured in 2010 Parade of Homes

Now in its 27th year, the 2010 Parade of Homes showcases 42 new homes in our area and provides the chance for visitors to see the latest designs and technology trends. This free, self-guided tour is on October 2-3, 8-10, 15-17 from Noon to 5pm.

This year, Briar Chapel has five entries in the Parade:

26 Serenity Hill Circle: 2236 sqft / $324,210
1149 Great Ridge Parkway: 1867 sqft / $324,325
1243 Great Ridge Parkway: 2247 sqft / $418,411
50 Windy Knoll Circle: 2759 sqft / $425,000

208 Windy Knoll Circle: 2660 sqft / $425,900

Builders are putting a wide range of new technology on display this year, from the latest insulation applications to advanced home automation systems. This, of course, is in addition to the other green-building features that all builders must adhere to in Briar Chapel.

This year's event also enables builders to enjoy some friendly competition, as each home on the Parade is judged by a panel of industry representatives from other markets in our region. These judges examine the design, quality, and creativity that each entry demonstrates, resulting in a numerical grade for each house. Awards are given to homes that achieve the highest scores in each price category.

If you would like a guided tour of these homes, please contact Peter Winkler. I will be more than happy to point out the various green features that are available in these homes, as well as show you the amenities that residents enjoy throughout Briar Chapel.

Art of Living Event in Briar Chapel Tomorrow

If you haven't been out to Briar Chapel in awhile, I encourage you to come out tomorrow (Saturday 25th) from 10am to 6pm for the "Art of Living" event.


During the event, three new model homes will be unveiled by MorningStar Homes and Homes by Dickerson, as well as the Villas by M/I Homes. David Weekley Homes will also be introducing its latest floor plans during the event.

As you visit each model home, be sure to register for a chance to win one of five pieces of artwork by Elaine O’Neil, this month's featured artist. One of the lucky winners will receive the grand prize - a beautiful textile art piece that Elaine will personally customize for their home (see Newland's website for details). Make sure you’re here at 4 pm to meet Elaine as well as a representative of the Chatham County Arts Council.

In addition to meeting the newest builders and touring the model homes, be sure to stroll over to Briar Patch Park between 1 pm and 3 pm for some free ice cream provided by Maple View Farms. In addition to checking out the new community garden that was installed earlier this week, you'll have a chance to see the unveiling of the latest piece of community art, Metamorphis—a large metal environmental sculpture by North Carolina Artist Grace Cathey.

Cathey's sculpture was the winner of the Jackson County Green Energy Park annual sculpture competition in 2009. The sculpture is made of cor-ten steel and is interpretive of the metamorphosis of a butterfly from chrysalis to caterpillar to winged beauty.

Installing a Dual Flush Converter in Briar Chapel

In a previous post, I mentioned that I had improved the efficiency of our Briar Chapel home even more by installing a whole-house hot water recirculating system.

Earlier this week, I decided to convert one of our standard toilets into a water-saving, dual-flush one by installing the HydroRight™ Dual Flush Converter by MJSI. I picked up a kit at Costco for $19, but you can also find them online for about $21-26.


Based on dual flush technology that has been used in Europe and Australia for decades, the HydroRight allowed me to quickly turn our standard toilet into two-button fixture. One button is the "Quick Flush" (#1) setting that uses up to 70% less water for liquids and paper – the setting needed 4 out of 5 times. The second "Full Flush" (#2) button uses the normal amount of water for solids.

I was able to install the system in about 10 minutes without any tools; it took another 5 to adjust the settings. Best of all, I did not have to remove the tank, but I was able to get rid of the flapper - the usual culprit of leaks.

We've been very happy with the performance of the converter so far, so I've decided to convert the rest of our toilets over the next few weeks. With these water-saving devices, we hope to save 30% of our overall indoor water usage. This is based on a recent survey by Veritec Consulting.

Briar Chapel Community Garden Breaks Ground

Contractors broke ground on Briar Chapel's newest amenity today, a community garden!

The Briar Patch, as residents have decided to call it, will consist of six raised cedar planters and five fruit trees. The enclosed garden will be surrounded by a small park located within the Villas section of the development.

The garden club is currently developing operating guidelines for the garden, and plans to meet with an agriculture specialist in September to learn more about planning and maintaining a productive community garden.

Since the garden will be ready in September, there will be time for a Fall planting. Stay tuned for more info and photos of this wonderful addition to Briar Chapel.

Tax Credit Deadline Extended

I am happy to report that Congress passed a bill extending the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline to September 30, 2010. The extension applies only to transactions that had ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, and have not yet closed.

The original closing deadline was June 30, 2010.

Chatham County Schools Technology Vision

During last night's meeting of the Chatham County Board of Education, they discussed a vision for a total digital learning environment in the district. More specifically, three options were presented for the next phase of the district’s instructional technology program:

1) Replace student laptop computers at Chatham Central, Northwood and SAGE which are several years old. (Jordan-Matthews received new laptops this school year thanks to a Golden LEAF Foundation grant.)

2) Replace the laptops at the high schools in option 1 and issue an iPad to students in grades 6-8. (Margaret B. Pollard Middle School, in Briar Chapel, will open with extensive technology resources.)

3) Place a digital device in the hands of every student in the district, likely laptops for high school students and iPads in kindergarten-eighth grade. (Jordan-Matthews would not receive new laptops in option 3 because theirs were new in 2009.)

These options also include some other aspects such as staff development, replacement of some staff computers, and infrastructure. The district would need to redirect some of its existing resources, utilize community support and resources, and leverage multiple funding streams. The financial commitment would start in the 2011-2012 budget cycle.

According to Beth McCullough, Public Information Officer for Chatham County Schools, the Board decided it will propose option 3 to the Chatham County Board of Commissioners on June 21st. This option would place a digital device in the hands of all students in the district. To learn more about the school district's 1:1 Laptop Initiative, check out this video.

Briar Chapel Residents Featured in Today's Newspaper

In case you have not read today's News & Observer, there is a great profile of Mike and Judy Benson in the (Chapel Hill News) real estate section. They live in a home built by McNeill-Burbank at 1184 Great Ridge Parkway in Briar Chapel.

In their interview, they talk about what it's like to live in Briar Chapel, why they chose to live in the community, and the advantages and disadvantages of living in Chatham County.