Montecillo, a 293-acre 'urban village', is the first development to take advantage of El Paso's new Smart Code. The project launched in May, and the developer is already preparing to get Phase 2 off the ground.
Robert Gray reports that "....when fully built, the urban village is expected to have more than 2,500 apartments and almost 500 homes and town homes, mixed with schools, retail, offices and 80 acres of open space, mostly arroyo."
Gray explains El Paso's smart growth strategy:
"Generally smart growth means development that is vertical, packing more into a smaller space, and designs where schools, shopping and public transportation are within walking distance of homes and apartments."
El Paso's SmartCode can be downloaded from their website.
FULL STORY: More growth for Montecillo Taxing district okayed for smart-growth project

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