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Haile Village Center brings residents and businesses together with New Urbanism concept

By MICHELLE HARRIS

Special to The Sun|

August 09. 2007 6:01AM

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Monica Albert says she likes the idea of walking to work from her home although admits to contemplating using a golf cart, especially when she's carrying things.

But the co-owner of Olive You Eat Well catering company doesn't consider using her car anymore.

"The idea of driving my car from my house to work seems a waste of gas," said Albert, who lives and works within a distance of less than 1/2-mile in Haile Village Center, a 40-acre mixed-used planned urban area within Haile Plantation.

She is one of several people who have chosen to establish their businesses within their neighborhood communities.

In 1993, as local developers Robert Kramer and Bob Rowe were breaking ground on Haile Plantation, they also began work on a smaller, more self-contained, walkable neighborhood within the heart of the 1,100-acre tract of Haile Plantation.

Since then, Haile Village Center has grown to include a variety of housing styles, a wide range of medical and social services and an array of shops and businesses.

The "new urbanism" development concept, which combines principles of architecture and urban planning to create areas where people can live and work within their own neighborhoods, was first seen in the work of a few avant garde architects during the 1970s. The trend began in earnest in the 1980s.

The idea is to create neighborhoods that balance modern convenience with traditional community cohesiveness. Examples of new urbanism communities include Town of Tioga, Seaside in the Panhandle and the town of Celebration near Orlando. But the trend is not limited to the Sunshine State, with communities dotting the country from California to Maine.

In 2004, condominium developers HVC Partners LLC, bought about one-third of the leased residential and commercial space and began a conversion process.

While the New Urbanism trend continues to be popular for suburban transformation and in-fill development, hybrids have emerged. These projects use some principles of New Urbanism, such as walkability and high density by combining residential, retail and office space. But in general they are more modern in their planning and structure and do not represent traditional-neighborhood development.

"This is the preferred development for a live, work and play community concept. The tendency (is) for people to want to live near their business and be able to walk to area services," said Mike Deere, managing partner of HVC.

The village was designed to be pedestrian friendly with most destinations only a 10-minute walk away, said Deere. The Village Center has a market, a day care and preschool, clothing and shoe stores, a fitness center, a bank and several restaurants. The neighborhood also boasts three dentists, a pediatrician and a 6,000 sq. ft. medical center, along with post office and police substation.

Housing ranges from $150,000 to more than $900,000 and the homes are set close together with garages in rear alleyways and front porches close to the street for "meeting and greeting" neighbors, he added.

The narrow streets are laid out in a grid pattern to promote a slower flow of traffic. Landscaping, parks and building features have been chosen to create a neighborhood that is functional as well as aesthetically pleasing.

"Human beings are happier when there are idiosyncrasies in their surroundings. The tree canopies, paint colors and even the undulating sidewalks are deliberately planned," said Deere.

A well-defined town center with retail stores clustered nearby and other businesses scattered along the outskirts, mixed together with residential areas are the heart of the New Urbanism concept, said Deere.

"If you don't like picket fences and trees, you don't want to live here," said Deere.

The community is centered around the village park and town square which includes the former town hall, renamed Plantation Hall. Residents attend yoga classes, business dinners and Sunday worship services there.

David Patterson is pastor of the River Cross Church and active with the village since February 2005, leading a small congregation that consists of village and Haile Plantation residents as well as people from the surrounding southwest area.

"We are a very non-traditional Southern Baptist church," said Patterson. "Our music is very upbeat and I usually preach in jeans."

Pastor Patterson, and wife Jan, have purchased a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath condominium above a retail store. He works from his home and regularly meets with members of the church or business community at the Village Market or Third Place Pub and Grille.

Living in the village has made life a little slower paced, said Patterson. The village's business owners have been generous in the use of their space as well as actively support the church's charities and projects.

"One of the things we are trying to be is a catalyst for community activities. We hope to be a driver toward getting involved - to get people to know one another," said Patterson. "It's a little bit of a throwback to a society less mobile, less hectic than we normally see today."

Echoing those sentiments is Albert, one half of the Olive You Eat Well catering company. She built a home in Haile Village two years ago.

"I was familiar with the neighborhood and the energy - the sense of community here," said Albert.

Along with sister and partner, Lita Giampola, the team moved their catering kitchens to the village and are preparing to open a European-style restaurant appropriately named Sisters for breakfast. Conceived as a "morning-hour bistro" the eatery will feature homemade organic granola, muffins and a signature blend of Sweetwater organic coffee. The partners will also be preparing take-out meals and later expanding their space to include a Mediterranean-theme menu for lunch and dinner.

"Food is love," said Giampola, referring to the company ethos. "It's more than food, it's love on a plate. I'm excited about the opportunity to be part of the process of bringing people to the village."

The residents are enthusiastic about the restaurant opening, said Albert.

"Our presence will make this a destination for people, which will enhance other businesses," said Albert.

Recently she visited fellow business owner Jenny Byrnes, owner of Third Place Pub and Grille, with a fresh bowl of rice pudding for a taste test. Later in the day, Byrnes returned the visit with her 2-year-old daughter Tabitha.

"Those are sweet moments," said Albert.

ZOOM

JOLIE MYERS/Special to The Sun

Boutiques and cafes line the streets of Haile Village Center's mixed use development.

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