1st Multi-Family Development Project Approved in the Newly Modified Tracy Zone in Wallingford, CT.

Last Tuesday night, Christopher Juliano, PE/LS, Principal in Charge of Juliano Associates, LLC, successfully represented the first multi-family development project to win approval from the Planning and Zoning Board related to the newly modified section of the zoning regulations permitting such development in this area of town.

On September 14, 2009, the Planning & Zoning Board approved the new Section 4.22D of the zoning regulations to make multi-family development a permitted use in the Tracy zone, a sub community within the town of Wallingford. This modification to the zoning regulations will create additional housing and development opportunities in this zone, and is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development adopted by the town.

The project on Old Colony Road consists of 20 housing units on approximately two acres of land. The buildings were designed by George Fellner, AIA, LEED AP, of Fellner Associates Architects in Higganum, Connecticut. The site layout promotes the preservation of open space along the rear of the lot saving many valuable trees, and the landscape design includes mostly native trees and shrubs with an emphasis on providing adequate yet natural screening from the adjacent residential homes to the north and south of the property.

This project received at great deal of support from the Town staff and the Commission since it is looked at as a catalyst of other neighborhood improvements for this long-neglected section of Wallingford.

Sustainable Sites Initiative to Release Rating System

As stewards of the land involved with the surveying, engineering and design of landscape and site development projects, we are excited to see that the Sustainable Sites Initiative will be releasing the first full national rating system for sustainable landscapes as part of their “Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009” report.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building rating system is the benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of buildings in an environmentally friendly way. While the Green Building rating system does include a section for the site and landscape portion of a construction or development project, there are no comparable standards that are as comprehensive for sustainable landscapes. In response to this need, the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center joined together to create the Sustainable Sites Initiative in 2005. After three years of tireless research and work by a group of very dedicated professionals, this rating system specific to the landscape will finally be released on November 5th.

This point-based ranking system of 15 prerequisites and 51 credits covers the entire range of design and construction phases of landscape and site development projects including appropriate site selection and pre-design assessment and planning, to site design, construction, and maintenance. These landscape-specific standards will eventually be rolled into the current LEED system.

It has been our philosophy for 36 years to approach our design solutions from an environmentally friendly perspective. We look forward to continuing these sustainable practices and helping future generations experience the same opportunities to enjoy the environment as we did. For more information on the Sustainable Sites Initiative, please visit their website at www.sustainablesites.org.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Air Date Announced!

It’s confirmed by ABC. The Hill Family, Suffield, Connecticut, episode featuring the Pecoy Company builders will be airing on Sunday, October 11, 2009, at 8/7p central on ABC.

Juliano Associates, LLC is proud to have been one of thousands of sponsors of this build donating the landscape design for the Hill Family. Tracy Van Rye, lead designer for Juliano, created a landscape environment that included hundreds of native, low-maintenance trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials that will provide the family with beauty and color throughout the year.

The Extreme Pecoy coordinators have also created a special program for the “Ideas for Living” Fall Home Show at the Eastern States Exposition November 6th thru November 8th, 2009. As the main feature for the November event, an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Special Exhibit is being created to highlight sponsors, activities and information about the project. Photos and video of the build, along with interviews with Kent Pecoy and his team, will happen throughout the weekend. Stop by the New England Building during the Big E to see how it really was possible to build such a beautiful home for the very deserving Hill Family in such a short time frame.

Juliano Contributes to a Great Cause

On Thursday, September 17, 2009, NeighborWorks New Horizons of New Haven hosted their first annual golf tournament to support their housing development and enrichment programs for community members.

NeighborWorks New Horizons is a non-profit organization that constructs and operates hundreds of affordable housing units throughout New Haven, New London and Hartford Counties. Their mission is to “develop and operate permanently affordable quality housing that builds strong, healthy and vibrant communities through active resident and community participation and leadership.”

Juliano has enjoyed a long working relationship with NeighborWorks providing quality land surveying, civil engineering and site design services for many of their projects. So, naturally, when we were invited to participate in the golf tournament, we were happy to send one of our staff, Scott Katin from the survey department, to tear up the course. The tournament was held at the beautiful Laurel View Golf Club in Hamden, Connecticut, as a scramble format with no handicaps. Scott enjoyed a beautiful day on the course with his team. Their 4 under par wasn’t enough to win, but they had fun contributing to a great cause. We are already looking forward to next year’s “Swing into Fall” classic.

Juliano Gets on the Bus with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Juliano Associates, LLC was Part of Build

The Emmy-award winning hit ABC television show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was in the region recently with an extreme home makeover of the Hill family home in Suffield, Connecticut. Juliano Associates, LLC played an important role in the project by providing a landscape design that included hundreds of native, low-maintenance trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials that will provide the family with beauty and color throughout the year.

Western New England builder Kent Pecoy, of Pecoy Signature Homes was chosen by the show to build the home in the span of just one week. As part of the build, Juliano was invited to provide the Hill family with a landscape design that compliments their breathtaking new home. Pecoy Signature Homes as well as other subcontractors and vendors, including Juliano, provided services and materials on a donated basis as part of the build.

According to Tracy Van Rye, lead designer for Juliano, “This is a remarkable opportunity for our organization to be part of something that will change the lives of a very deserving family. We are honored to have played a role in creating a timeless and beautiful landscape environment that the family can enjoy for years to come.”

Heading into its seventh season, the show’s theme will be “get on the bus” inspiring community to join the extreme team in making a difference all across the country. The home build occurred the week of June 21, 2009. The lucky area family was surprised on June 21 by a visit from Ty Pennington, team leader for the show, when the family’s identity was made public. The show’s cast “revealed” the new home on Sunday, June 28 when Pennington recited the show’s signature phrase, “move that bus!” Stay tuned for show air date!

In addition to transforming the lives of hundreds of families and individuals, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has inspired millions of people in this country and beyond. The show has been aired in 69 countries, translated into 58 languages and viewed by a billion people worldwide. The Emmy award winning reality program “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” is now entering its 7th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It’s executive-produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET on ABC.

New Landscape Division at Juliano Associates!

Juliano Associates recently announced the formation of our new Landscape Division. Complete landscape design and consultation services will be offered to residential, commerical and industrial clients.

Tracy Van Rye has joined the company as Director of the Landscape Division. Tracy is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science degree completing a double major in Landscape Architecture and Horticulture. She graduated summa cum laude and was awarded the ASLA Certificate of Merit for Excellence in the Study of Landscape Architecture.

She has extensive experience in collaborating with a full team of design consultants including architects, engineers, and attorneys in the design and overall coordination of a wide variety of projects in Connecticut. Her project experience includes commercial, multi-family, corporate, institutional, residential, waterfront, and streetscape and downtown revitalization projects. As a project designer, she has been involved in all phases of the design and planning process including predesign, municipal review and approvals, design development, bidding, construction drawings, and construction administration.

Along with her extensive horticultural background, Tracy brings a high level of creativity and motivation to the firm. She is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Welcome Tracy!

Wallingford School System Honors Juliano Associates.

Juliano Associates was honored by the Wallingford School System for participation in the Wallingford School-to-Career Program.

The School-to-Career program focuses on developing the academic competencies, technological skills, and employability attributes essential to successful employment, career development and lifelong learning in a culturally diverse and technology driven global "world of work".