Eco Friendly Urban Village Going Up In San Antonio

Highland Hills Cottages, built on less than 5.2 acres, is designed to have 14 conventional houses on the periphery of the block, each with its own yard. Another 12 smaller houses will go up in the center, with two xeriscaped common lawns between them.The low water-use lawns will be maintained with recycled water and the exterior lighting will be powered by solar panels. SADA is attempting to get solar-powered water heating in most or all of the houses, said SADA Executive Director Manuel Macias."Our goal is to have the lowest utility rates in San Antonio in these cottages," Macias said. "You always know what your mortgage is going to be, but you don't always know what your utility costs are going to be. "If you control that, you are more apt to being able to keep people of low incomes in their homes."