Ryan Homes Unveils The Greens at Locust Chapel, Howard County's First Official "Green Neighborhood"

New Ellicott City Community Meets Strict Guidelines Set by Environmental Building Authorities; New Single-Family Homes Start in the $520's

ELLICOTT CITY, Md., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Greens at Locust Chapel, in sought-after Ellicott City, MD is the first residential community in Howard County to receive the County's "Green Neighborhood" designation. This revolutionary new community is certified green by the Patuxent Environmental Group, an independent environmental engineering firm that is recognized as a national leader of energy efficiency programs. The developer has selected Ryan Homes as the sole builder in the community. As a leading homebuilder in the area for over 25 years, Ryan Homes has an established reputation and a continued interest in creating enriching communities. The Environmental Protection Agency recently named Ryan Homes a 2011 ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year in the Large Homebuilder segment.

Howard County's Department of Planning and Zoning has set forth stringent guidelines to establish a Green Neighborhood designation. Open green space provisions, water conservation management, minimal-impact construction materials, energy efficient appliances, fixtures and advanced ventilation techniques are just a few of the standard guidelines. Ryan Homes is pleased to be a partner in Howard County's progressive development opportunity. This development is the first approved Green Neighborhood Program and never before has such an expansive undertaking been submitted and approved in Howard County.

The Green Neighborhood Program is a pilot program under County Executive Ken Ulman's "Live Green Howard County" initiative that strives to make Howard County a model green community. The program is divided into two components, both of which must be fulfilled for a community to be recognized as a Green Neighborhood. The "Sites" portion of the program is overseen by the Department of Planning and Zoning, and the "Homes" portion of the Green Neighborhood Program is managed by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits.

The program checklist includes a variety of environmentally responsible criteria such as paths and trails, open space, environmental preservation, appropriate landscaping, water and energy efficiency and waste management.

A development project can qualify as a Green Neighborhood if it meets a required number of points on the checklist. In terms of site development, the following will take place at The Greens at Locust Chapel:

1.  Site design around the natural grade of the site to reduce the amount of disturbance to natural land areas and grading.

2.  Infrastructure materials sourced from recycled materials located within 200 miles of site to reduce the amount of transit needed to bring materials to site.

3.  A construction waste management plan to reduce the amount of trash on-site and recycle materials that can be recycled (including cans and also oil).

4.  Reusing any trees that need to be cleared as mulch to line a natural surface trail that will link the community. Benches and educational kiosks will be located along the trail system.

5.  36 Homes will have rain barrels sized to treat a 1-inch rain event. Water collected by the barrels can be re-used for gardens and lawn and will help reduce stormwater runoff from the roof of the residence.

6.  A community pavilion featuring a green roof and solar panels.

Among the most notable environmentally sensitive features of The Greens at Locust Chapel is its community pavilion. This community clubhouse and focal point includes a host of green building initiatives, including a fully planted green roof and special rainwater retention and re-use features. The community pavilion also includes a solar panel that helps reduce its use of energy from the community power grid. Other green features in the community include an electricity generating windmill, a community garden, timers on all exterior lights and permeable sidewalks and driveways that reduce erosion from rainwater runoff.

All Ryan Homes at The Greens at Locust Chapel are also built with components and finishes that reduce environmental impact and improve occupants' health and wellness. This includes low flow shower heads, faucets and commodes and low or no VOC paints. An indoor air quality package qualified by the EPA's Indoor airPLUS program is another included feature. Every new Ryan Home is also 100% ENERGY STAR^® Qualified for lifelong utility cost savings.

Ryan Homes' new single-family homes at The Greens at Locust Chapel offer up to 4 bedrooms and up to 2 1/2 baths, and each includes a 2-car garage, G.E.^® appliances, 42" Timberlake^® cabinetry, hardwood floors in the foyer and main level powder room, and ceramic tiled baths. Pre-construction pricing is now available. The Greens at Locust Chapel is currently selling from the nearby Worthington Fields community until the Model Home opens this fall.

For more information about Ryan Homes at The Greens at Locust Chapel, the first official Howard County, MD Green Neighborhood, please phone (443) 574-8904, or visit online at RyanHomesLocustChapel.com.

SOURCE Ryan Homes