UNCOMMON SENSE

Innovator paves the way for a new type of neighborhood, one that could elevate North Lake Highlands

Story

Developer Diane Cheatham insists bigger isn’t always better, not that big is bad. After all, it is from her office, located on the third level of her 4,336-square-foot abode in Urban Reserve that she lays out plans for her forthcoming Urban Commons. Along the LBJ frontage road just east of Abrams, 80 or so modern homes, varying in size and cost, will exist “in harmony with our environment,” she promises. That the land is situated across the street from a low-budget motel and one of the region’s busiest highways is of minimal concern to Cheatham. Almost a decade ago she proved her property-transforming prowess when she founded Urban Reserve, built on a similarly problematic 14-acre swath. An accountant by trade, she appreciates capital and the lovely things it can buy, but she is more interested in creating a legacy and charting a path for progressive neighborhood planning. She embraces challenges, takes things a step at a time and lacerates City Hall’s red tape like a code-and-regulation-navigating ninja.

Whatever bridge you’re crossing, we’re

Urban Reserve is magnificent and pricey. How will Urban Commons compare?

Commons will share the Urban Reserve essence, embracing the outdoors, the environment, natural water sources — we do not want to buy any water from the city, but use the consistently refilling creek as a source. There are no alleys; two- and three-story homes will be in rows between the creek and greenbelt. Respected architects and small firms will design the houses. They will be different from one another, but whether one of the smaller or larger homes, the architecture will be impressive — sustainable, made with a combination of modern and natural building materials. One will not see a difference in architectural integrity — only the sizes will fluctuate. I learned so much building Urban Reserve, and there are things I wanted to do better, or differently. We’re taking an even bigger step in Urban Commons to create a neighborhood feel. Here, your front lawn, so to speak, is one of 10 pocket parks maintained by the Homeowners Association, whose dues will be very low, like $25. That saves people the labor of lawn care, and, the bigger idea is that someone is, say, picnicking out at a park table or walking the trail, and others will see them and join them, come out and chat, commune with each other and the surrounding nature. That is the dream. You will have over a mile of trail, several small parks and picnic tables, a pond with wildlife, wood ducks, owls.

So, how much more affordable than Urban Reserve are we talking?

What we want is to create a more-diverse socioeconomic mix, incorporating architect-designed houses you don’t have to be rich to own. The plan is a range in size from about 1,200-2,500 square feet. About half of the houses will come without attached garages — that alone can make a $60,000 difference. We will try to build some homes in the $275,000 range. The residents without garage parking will have spaces nearby. People, we are attached to our cars, so it takes some getting used to. But it also will mean more neighbors outside, even if only on a brief walk to their front doors.

This land is hidden, previously overrun with bushes, and nearby areas are known for panhandlers