Sustainable Development of Forestlands Project

Sustainable Forestlands Development Case Studies

Case studies are presented to assess recent trends in residential subdivision planning and design. The case studies represent the types of residential communities that are emerging on the fringe of employment centers due to increased demand in the housing market.

Developments in the greater-Blacksburg area within Montgomery & Giles counties (refer to Regional Context Map of Local Subdivisions) were chosen to illustrate housing patterns occurring on existing forestland in the mountains of southwest Virginia.

The predominance of forestland in the region can be seen on the Land Use/Land Cover Map for the two-county study area.

Case studies are accompanied by a brief description, an aerial map, and photo sheets. Key development features are highlighted in Local Case Study Summary Tables.

Conventional Developments

Clover Springs - Giles County, VA
A large-lot residential development on Clover Hollow Mountain with valley views and significant native vegetation.

Coal Bank Ridge - Blacksburg & Montgomery County, VA
A large-lot subdivision at the headwaters of Tom's Creek with over 40% of the land in a legally protected conservation easement.

Mountain Homeplace - Montgomery County, VA
A large-lot development along Lick Run with a forested greenway easement connecting the community to the National Forest.

Preston Forest - Montgomery County, VA
Established in 1975, this large-lot development set a local precedent with covenants that restricted the clearing of trees on private lots.

Cluster Developments

NannyCatch Commons - Giles County, VA
Designed in the style of a rural hamlet, this tight clustered development reserves 98% of the land in shared commons.

Shadowlake Village - Town of Blacksburg, VA
A cohousing community with single and multi-family housing; a community center; and walking distance to shopping and public transportation.

Village at Tom's Creek - Town of Blacksburg, VA
A traditional neighborhood development with vernacular architecture and community shopping to recreate an historic American village atmosphere.

Willow Springs - Montgomery County, VA
A clustered large-lot residential development with 85% of the land reserved for active forest and wildlife management.

Other developments of note:

Brier Patch - Giles County, VA (Aerial Map / Photo Sheet)
A rural six-lot subdivision on pasture and forestland.

Laurel Ridge - Montgomery County, VA (Aerial Map / Photo Sheet)
The oldest large-lot forested subdivision in the county.