'Backers of a new housing development in rapidly growing St. Croix County intend to share the woods and water with wildlife through a unique effort that many hope will become commonplace.'
"Developers of Indigo Ponds, a 160-acre development near Hudson, have worked with public and private groups to ensure that painted turtles and mallards won't be evicted from ponds, and that deer and wild turkeys will have room to roam through stands of maple, oak and poplar....Those involved in the project said they hope such developments become more common. They called for changes in zoning laws that now don't encourage such a common-sense approach....For the developers, it's a matter of being sensitive to the needs of wildlife while still making money....Although the project seems to work well, those involved said it could have been even better if zoning laws allowed more home to be clustered in sections of the property, allowing more open space."
Thanks to Connie Chung
Read the full story: ST. CROIX COUNTY: Upscale housing to meld with wildlife
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Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
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University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
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