Program trains construction workers on tree preservation

Wesley Langdale, Chairman of the Georgia Forestry Commission Board of Directors; Don Garner, Brian Thomas and Alan Mabry of Isakson Barnhart; Kris Thomas, President of GUFC and Robert Farris, Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Peachtree Hills Place was the pilot development for the program. The program included training superintendents and equipment operators on ecology issues, focusing on water quality, the role of trees in protecting the environment and best practices in tree preservation. Isakson Barnhart/Peachtree Hills Place hopes to extend the program to the state's development community as well.

GUFC's mission is to sustain Georgia's green legacy by helping communities grow healthy trees by promoting the importance of trees throughout Georgia by leveraging user-friendly technology, influencing the policy-making process and providing cutting edge programming. The organization's annual Excellence in Urban Forestry Awards are presented to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service toward the preservation and enhancement of our urban forests. The goal of the awards program is to give back to those who have been concerned about a healthy urban forest and raise community awareness of the importance of these projects.

The program was also honored last week with a Keep Georgia Beautiful award, an award honoring those whose ongoing efforts in community improvement, environmental stewardship, waste reduction, and/or litter prevention exemplify leadership in protecting Georgia's environment.

Conservation-centered decisions were made throughout the development process at Peachtree Hills, including the preservation of 50 percent of the trees on its 23-acre site in the middle of Buckhead. Five acres of the property will be deeded over to the City of Atlanta, maintained as green space and include a nature trail. Additional park space and green areas will be established to maximize the open space on the site. In order to maintain the aesthetics of the existing neighborhood, the developers have worked with the Peachtree Hills Civic Association, and all parking for the development will be located underground. Energy-efficient HVAC systems will be utilized and compact fluorescent lighting will be installed. Much of the existing structure on the site that has been demolished will remain on site as fill material, diverting it from local landfills. The community is also highly walkable, located on a MARTA bus line, employees will be encouraged to use public transportation and walk to nearby restaurants, shops and parks.

When completed, Peachtree Hills Place, located in Buckhead in the heart of metro Atlanta, will include 274 independent residences - consisting of 266 villas and eight single-family homes - and 36 skilled nursing and memory care suites. Assisted living care will also be offered on site. All Peachtree Hills Place members will enjoy a full slate of amenities, on-site retail establishments, dining, full service spa, and fitness center.

Isakson Barnhart is Georgia's developer of nationally recognized, award-winning residential communities for those age 55 and over. The company's vision to provide amenity-rich, independent living for discerning adults was born out of the personal experiences of the family of Ed and Julia Isakson after their difficult search for a community that would provide an active lifestyle combined with on-site health care. This mission manifested itself in Park Springs, the company's flagship property in Stone Mountain. Park Springs was nationally recognized by the 50+ Housing Council of the National Association of Home Builder as the recipient of the 2005 Platinum Award for best large CCRC as well as the Gold Award for interior design. Now, Isakson Barnhart introduces another award-winning residential community in Peachtree Hills Place, named the best "On the Boards" large CCRC by the same group in 2006. Isakson Barnhart has carefully selected Life Care Services, LLC, the leading management company of senior communities in the nation, to partner in the planning and management of Peachtree Hills Place and Park Springs. For more information, visit www.peachtreehillsplace.com or call 404-467-4900.