Townhomes go Green
One of the most prolific homebuilders in West Steamboat has launched the first four-plex building in a new townhome project between downtown and the mountain.
K.J. Otterman, of Classic Homes, is the developer of Eco Corral, of Steamboat. Plans call for 24 townhomes and four deed-restricted affordable condominiums on Clermont Circle, just off Hilltop Parkway at Sandhill Court. Otterman has built more than 20 homes in Steamboat and Craig since 2001, many of them in Silverview Estates and Heritage Park.
”We want to offer people a real home in the market with solar hot water and heat for under $600,000,” Otterman said.
The listing Realtor for Eco Corral is Otterman’s stepmother, Joy Rasmussen, an eco-broker and owner at Colorado Group Realty. His business manager is his father, Ken Otterman, who purchased his first home-built solar panel in 1977. Other members of the team include Rasmussen’s colleague and broker/owner at Colorado Group Kris McGee, Wade Gebhardt at Wells Fargo Bank, Jake’s Drafting and JSM Builders on a consulting basis.
After growing up in a family that valued alternative energy as long as 30 years ago, building sustainability into his homes came naturally to Otterman. He has been building homes with insulated concrete forms and structurally insulated panels that contribute to an airtight wall for years.
Buyers’ choice
Otterman said he is required to score 75 points from a menu of green standards in order to become certified by Built Green Colorado. He said he intends to score 242 points on the townhomes at Eco Corral.
A handful of the qualities he is shooting for include: tentatively using bamboo flooring instead of hardwoods, an active solar heating system that provides more than 20 percent of the homes’ annual heating, an energy efficient Star furnace/boiler, low-leakage ducting, a building ventilation system, and energy efficient windows and doors.
Truly green neighborhoods offer pedestrian-friendly connections, clustered buildings and water conservation among other qualities, he said.
In addition to sustainable qualities, the townhomes at Eco Corral will offer a spacious great room on the main level and a neighborhood park where children can play in full view of their parents.
Of the four units currently under construction, three are sold and the fourth is reserved as a model unit.
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