January 29, 2024

As the population continues to rise across central North Carolina, so does the need to create exceptional communities for relocating residents. Often, this means reshaping open spaces into desirable neighborhoods with as little impact on the environment as possible. This is an arduous process that requires thoughtfulness, creativity, and meticulous planning. Windjam Development excels in identifying properties with the potential to be transformed from a simple vision to a bustling reality–turning raw land into an amazing lifestyle.

The Windjam Development team begins each project with comprehensive research as it uncovers the potential of land earmarked for development. Discovering geographical advantages while maintaining sensitivity to the environment is our priority. The days of cookie-cutter neighborhoods have long been left behind as consumers now demand homes designed in harmony with surrounding habitation. Preserving natural features, exemplified in the planning of The Summit community within the Burnette Mountain landscape in Chatham County, minimizing carbon footprints, and tapping into renewable energy sources are all as important as a beautiful floor plan in today’s new neighborhoods.

There are many checkpoints in ensuring success when transforming raw land into a thriving community.

• Fostering a sense of ownership is critical. Involving current and future residents via town hall meetings, focus groups, or surveys encourages development that aligns with the priorities of the existing population. We appreciate the participation of current residents who offer feedback via zoning and planning meetings as their input allows a partnership that points to success. For details on opportunities for input, check local government websites for scheduled meetings. Chatham County, for instance, encourages residents to attend meetings at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center or by live-stream.
• Early consideration of infrastructure is essential. History includes endless tales of newly populated neighborhoods causing immediate stress on existing roads or local utilities. Today’s order of events has reversed as consideration of traffic patterns and impact on public amenities happens much earlier in the planning process. This helps ensure that up-and-coming communities are built in a way that does not overtax existing infrastructure.
• When selecting potential properties, Windjam Development also considers local features already in existence such as recreation, cultural facilities, shopping, and more. Tapping into an area with a unique identity creates an immediate sense of belonging as residents move into their new neighborhood. Understanding an area’s plans for growth is also beneficial as it allows the creation of communities in future hotspots. As Windjam Development already has three gorgeous communities in Wilson, we were thrilled to learn that the Carolina Mudcats would also be making the move to this beautiful area.

Once a location is deemed desirable for transformation, the Windjam Development team focuses on striking a balance between progress and conversation. This is a challenge that is ongoing as it is vital to preserve as much natural space as possible in respect of a thriving environment. Priorities include designating green space, maintaining wildlife habitats or corridors, and designing with a nod to minimizing carbon footprints. “Land Science” is not a term most are familiar with but understanding soil composition, load-bearing capacities, biodiversity, and waterways is essential in planning a new community.

Technology and innovation have made large strides in recent years, including that of local geographic information systems. With the ability to engage in 3D modeling and spatial studies, development teams such as Windjam have found more effective ways to collaborate with architects and engineers. Even the recent addition of drones has proved positive in surveying vast areas that might have been difficult to access before their availability.

While the ability to identify the perfect landscape on which to create luxurious living is essential, Windjam Development also understands that it is often the existing amenities that draw future residents to a given area. Wake County offers endless educational and occupational paths in addition to several entertainment hubs. Around the corner, Chatham County is host to year-round activities for locals and visitors, including the expansive Jordan Lake Recreation Area and the Carolina Tiger Rescue.

Communities built under the Windjam umbrella all have easy access to the Raleigh area. Many fall in love with our communities as proximity to both the famed Carolina coastline and breathtaking mountains is too perfect to pass up. For a quick day trip, Fearrington Village offers five-star dining, miles of walking paths, and boutique shopping. For extended getaways, Raleigh-Durham International Airport is minutes away. For future wonders, Disney’s© second planned community will welcome guests in 2027 as Asteria© opens its doors to the Pittsboro area.

Transforming raw land into a bustling lifestyle is not as simple as adding new structures to a perceived blank canvas. The recipe to success is incredibly intricate and includes endless ingredients such as planning, sustainability, and community engagement. Windjam Development has a proud history of thoroughly vetting projects before a single shovel breaks ground as we understand the importance of getting each one right from the start.