Usually in this column, we showcase a specific home. But this time, we’re venturing into new territory by taking a look at a new planned community. The Reserve at River Run, located less than a mile from the town of Marshall in Madison County, is designed to include about a dozen upscale N.C. Healthy-Built Homes. Each home will be private, yet open to the sunset views of the French Broad River and surrounding mountains. All builders will “practice sustainable, high performance building strategies that reduce pollution, construction waste, energy and water consumption throughout the life of the home.”

The density of homes to land will be very low, as the total community, once built out, will contain about 12 to 15 homes in a 125+ acre ecosystem, most of which will remain undisturbed habitat.
Most “green homes” are designed for energy-efficiency and low impact on the environment. “River Run” will also take it to the aesthetic level where the common areas will offer opportunities for communing with nature through body, mind and spirit, creating a sense of peace and well being.
The evolution of this new community began fifteen years ago when ECO-REALTOR® Ginny Lentz and her former husband were building a passive solar, south-facing, earth-bermed home in Marshall. When their apartment lease ran out before the house was finished, they bought a cottage on seventeen acres that bordered their land.

“Since it overlooked the French Broad River and Hayes Run Creek, I named it River Run,” explains Lentz. “We then discovered there was no right-of-way to the state road. So, I bought an adjoining 54 acres, which became The Nature Sanctuary, dedicated to educational or recreational use.” This land was given to Jubilee! Community and later gifted to the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL); hikers are always welcome on this acreage.

“Because our housing and real estate industry are so destructive to the environment, I wanted to preserve all the land I could, so we created protective covenants between our neighbors to reduce the density and preserve the wildlife habitat for wild turkey, deer, bobcats, grouse, and an occasional bear,” says Lentz.

They spent the next fourteen years completing the infrastructure, which included site planning, grading, road building, surveying, dead-wooding, clearing, underground utilities, water lines, drilling a well and paving.
Lentz had a vision of creating an environmentally-friendly community on the 125-acre site, but decided to sell due to lack of funds. She received two full-price offers, and chose Basha and Jeff Kaplan, known as “the relationship doctors,” because of their enthusiasm and synergy with the eco-community vision.

“About three years ago, we made a list of the qualities we desired for our new home, which would support us soulfully and professionally, being psychologists and published writers,” says Basha. “We wanted to make sure that we consciously addressed our priorities of healthy living. As we were looking for land to build our green home, the universe led us to River Run on our first day in the Asheville area. The land and community had all the features we desired: wonderful views, country living, moderate four seasons, peace and tranquility, privacy in a progressive small town, nearby shopping, healthcare, restaurants, colleges/universities and only 20 minutes to Asheville.”

“We are committed to creating a model small eco-community that can be replicated in other areas,” adds Jeff. “We want to demonstrate that River Run can contribute positively to the local environment and economy.
“We all hope that River Run will encourage all people, including builders and developers, to understand that it is critically important to build homes and communities with a greater consciousness towards the environment and the future of our planet.”

Included in the Reserve at River Run will be native landscaping and terraced gardens, a contemplative labyrinth, an “astronomy center” with a sun dial, scenic walking and hiking trails on this land and the adjoining acres, with places to sit and relax. “The Gathering Place” will include an entertainment area and swimming pool.

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