Florida Realtors has announced its annual Environmental Award program, popularly known as the “ENVY” award. The honor goes to a development that best preserves Florida’s natural quality of life and is given in two categories: one for residential development and one for commercial development.

Oakland Park, a traditional neighborhood development between the historic towns of Oakland and Winter Garden in Central Florida, won Florida Realtors’ 23rd ENVY Award in 2010. The community includes about 258 acres stretching from the shores of Lake Apopka to Oakland Avenue.

Judges cited Oakland Park for the care it has taken to preserve the area’s natural elements, including the existing tree canopy and sensitive environmental areas. “This project is a well integrated, traditional neighborhood development designed to fit seamlessly with its surrounding context,” said one judge. “The developer’s restoration of the Lake Apopka shoreline, complete restoration of Lake Brim and incorporation of the West Orange Trail into its design are exceptional.”

Some of the other environmentally-concerned developments named as past ENVY Award winners include: Baldwin Park, Verandah, Lakewood Ranch, Wild Heron, Harmony, World Golf Village, Solivita, Amelia Island Plantation and Viera.

The winner in each category will receive a distinctive Lucite trophy, recognition at Florida Realtors 2011 Convention and Trade Show, Aug. 24-28, and statewide news coverage as Florida’s top environmentally conscious builder. A panel of distinguished environmental and planning professionals judges the competition. The entry deadline is Thursday, July 7, 2011.

• Eligibility: All Florida commercial developments are eligible. Also, all planned residential developments with a minimum of 30 residential units in Florida qualify. Residential developments must be currently available for marketing and must include a model home.
• Judging Criteria: For each criteria category, applicants should explain how the project goes above and beyond current environmental preservation and/or building code minimal requirements. Please include photos, site plans and other documents that illustrate your points to the judges. Provide narrative that clearly demonstrates and explains the development’s environmental features, environmental or preservation activities and design aspects to help the judges better review your project. Explain what makes your project stand out from the rest – what are you the most proud of? Why should your development receive Florida Realtors ENVY Award? These are the things judges want to know.
• Commercial: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; (2) Architectural compatibility; (3) Design in scale and context with surrounding environment; (4) Open space and access/usability of surrounding environment; (5) common area access and usefulness; (6) Streets, pedestrian and bicycle access; (7) Drainage as a design feature; (8) Marketability; and (9) Tell us what makes your project stand out from the rest – what are you the most proud of?
• Residential: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; a) Highlight any restoration areas or efforts; b) Include any corridors/buffer zones; c) Highlight wetlands areas; (2) Landscaping/compatibility with surrounding environment; (3) Design in scale and context with surrounding environment; a) Highlight and explain any specific “green” standards and/or certification standards endorsed by the project – such as standards from the Florida Green Building Coalition, LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Neighborhood Development) standards or National Home Builders green building standards; (4) Open space and access/usability of open space; a) Highlight green space and unusual features; (5) Family recreation and common areas; a) Highlight special areas; (6) Streets and safety features; (7) Drainage and stormwater design features; a) Highlight any unique stormwater plans; (8) Marketability; and (9) Tell us what makes your project stand out from the rest – what are you the most proud of?
• Submission: There is no entry limit and no cost to enter. Simply organize a three-ring notebook with the following material in this order: (1) A written overview of the development (maximum of four pages, typed, double spaced, on 8.5″ by 11″ paper); (2) Supporting material and photographs that address the judging criteria in order as listed above — no videotapes or slides; and (3) A set of land development plans and other supporting data, if warranted. Upon request, entry materials may be returned after judging.
• Deadline: All entries must be received at Florida Realtors headquarters by Thursday, July 7, 2011. Send submissions to ENVY Award, Florida Realtors, 7025 Augusta National Drive, Orlando, FL 32822-5017.

For more information about the ENVY award, call 407-438-1400, ext. 2326.