Baxter Village Receives 2001 Stewardship Development Award From South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

—February, 2002

Baxter Village, a traditional Fort Mill neighborhood developed by Clear Springs Development Company, has been presented a prestigious Stewardship Development Award for 2001 by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

"Baxter is one of the most exciting residential projects in upstate South Carolina," said Elise Schmidt, program manager of the Stewardship Development Award. "It offers residents a tremendous sense of community."

In selecting Baxter for a Stewardship Development Award, Schmidt also noted that the village is preserving more than 500 acres of the 1,033-acre development as open space and is designing homes and businesses in a traditional design that complements homes throughout the upstate South Carolina area.

"It is clear to those who visit Baxter that this is a neighborhood with a vision," Schmidt said. "We are certain that Baxter will leave a lasting impression on the Charlotte area, especially given that its part of the comprehensive Clear Spring Development plan."

Don Killoren, CEO of Clear Springs Development, said the award recognizes the role that people play in being good stewards for the environment.

"The Stewardship Development Award is given to projects that promote the conservation, protection and enhancement of the state's natural resources," Killoren said. "We recognize Baxter's role as an advocate for and steward of its 1,033 acres."

According to Schmidt, "there is a growing concern for quality of life in South Carolina, which is reflected in the desire for more natural areas and green space. Care and planning must be taken in providing a healthy environment, and we feel that Baxter exemplifies good stewardship."

Key environmental features of the Baxter Master Plan include its design as a walking community, preservation of large contiguous areas of open space, the identification of streams, wetlands or important habitats, and the protection and buffering of these areas. In addition, the plan includes careful planning and implementation of erosion control and stormwater management, as well as the establishment of an entity for the long-term management of natural areas on the site. The Baxter Master Plan also fits into the master plan for Fort Mill as a whole.

One of the goals of the Stewardship Development Award is to recognize projects to serve as examples for other landowners in the state by demonstrating how innovative conservation techniques can improve projects while protecting the natural resources. The Stewardship Program also provides technical assistance and outreach for interested landowners. For more information, contact the Land and Water Stewardship Program at (803) 734-9100.

The Village of Baxter is a mixed-use neighborhood being developed by Clear Springs Development Company. The 1,033-acre development includes 1,500 homesites, including an elementary school, public library, retail shops and offices. Baxter also includes more than 500 acres of open space and will include a medical complex and retail and commercial development.

For more information on Baxter, call (803) 802-TOWN or toll free (877) 570-HOME. The Baxter Information Center is located at the neighborhood's main entrance off Highway 160 and Interstate 77 at Exit 85.