By Amy Paradysz

Buying land and having a home built involves myriad choices—all of which can have environmental impact. But with forethought and careful management, homeowners can select a site that optimizes solar access, minimizes environmental disturbance of the property and, in some ways, even helps restore natural balance.

We reached out to a registered landscape architect, a landscape designer and a land use specialist— all based in Maine and all interested in sustainability—for ideas on what to consider when purchasing or landscaping a plot of land when being “green” is your dream.

“What I’m striving for is: how can I tread lightly on the land?” says Kerry Lewis, a registered landscape architect based in Cumberland.

Carol Laboissonniere of CL Design & Landscape LLC in Kennebunk often finds herself balancing sustainability— such as preserving water quality, soil nutrients and existing trees and vegetation—with what some of her clients want, which may include lawn area and cultivated landscape. “I encourage homeowners to work with the existing landscape as much as possible, rather than trying to recreate an urban landscape,” she says. “Let the existing landscape drive the design.”

Consider these aspects early in the process—if possible, even before buying land.

PLAN AROUND THE SUN

“The first thing I’d want to look at are the solar capabilities of the site and how we can site the home to maximize southern light,” Lewis says. “If that’s going to involve cutting down massive amounts of trees, that’s not the best site for solar.”

House orientation is also important. “For solar, you want a south exposure and a roof that’s peaked in such a way to take the best advantage of the sun hitting it,” says Bob Berry, owner and principal engineer of Main-Land Development Consultants, which focuses on land use. “If you want solar on your roof, you want a ridgeline that runs east-west so that the solar panels can be directly perpendicular to the sun’s rays.”

Homeowners—or their architects— may want to consider the sun’s orientation even if there are no immediate plan to install solar arrays. “Think about house placement and design so that in the winter when you want the sun warming your house the sun angle is low, and in the summer when you don’t want the sun warming your house the angle is high,” Berry says. “Also, in the summer when it’s hot, the wind is often off the northwest. To take advantage of that northwesterly wind, arrange your house so that you have windows that you can open on the northwest and southeast sides to let the breeze come through.”

CONSIDER THE TOPOGRAPHY

Next, look at the topography of the land.

Are there invasive species? Getting invasive species under control in an ecologically sensitive way may not be a battle you want to pick.

Are there potential wetlands, streams or vernal pools? Maine law protects water quality and wildlife corridors by requiring that homes be set back specified distances. An environmental engineer can help confirm what portion of the property is buildable (and that includes for septic, a driveway or a garage).

Is there ledge? Many of the available building lots in Maine have ledge, or shale—sometimes in abundance. “Ledge may involve having to do some blasting to get the house in, which is an incurred expense,” Lewis says. “Is it soft ledge that can be broken up with a hammer drill, or do you really need to blast?”

Know what you’re in for in terms of cost and time—but also consider the grounding aesthetics of a house sited around great big hunks of stone. “If a site has ledge, figure out a way to use it to your advantage,” says Lewis, who works with architects to site around ledge, sometimes stepping the house down at multiple levels or exposing additional ledge in her landscape designs.

“Ledge is a wonderful landscape architectural element,” Laboissonniere agrees. She recommends exposing ledge rather than blasting to remove it or burying it.

INVENTORY AND CORRAL

Before construction crews arrive, inventory the trees and other plants that you’re hoping to be able to protect. (Or hire an arborist.) And this isn’t just about tagging trees you wish to leave standing or hope to replant.

“If you have a big old beech tree, they have sensitive root systems and you want to be sure they’re protected during construction,” Lewis says, suggesting a “corral” for heavy equipment. “Once you figure out where the house is going, plan where vehicles and materials are going so that the entire site isn’t impacted.”

CHOOSE NATIVE SPECIES

All too often, the construction process leaves the property void of vegetation, a byproduct of needing work space around the construction site. When that’s the case, amend the soil with organic compost as needed and put in native plantings or deep-rooting lawn grasses that will create a natural habitat.

Native species help to reduce the amount of irrigation, fertilizer and weed control needed.

“If you’ve got a site with native grasses,” Laboissonniere says, “keep those grasses rather than putting in a lawn. You’ll be saving water, you won’t have to mow it, and you’re eliminating soil disturbance and preserving nutrients in the soil.”

When the lot is bare and in need of trees, Laboissonniere goes big— planting 6- to 10-foot trees—for better carbon sequestration, prevention of soil erosion and creating the appearance of a more mature landscape. Other native woody plant options in this region include viburnums, junipers and ilex.

MANAGE WOODLANDS

If you’re buying a large parcel of land in Maine, you may be taking on the role of forester—which comes with responsibilities and possible benefits.

“If you maintain the forest, cutting larger trees and allowing younger trees to grow, you’ll have a healthier forest,” Berry says. “If you want access to firewood, buy a lot with some hardwood, not just pine trees, and you can cut your own firewood or hire someone to cut firewood for you. Or, if you buy a piece of land that has a mature forest on it, and it needs to be managed, that timber might be able to help pay for your home. A licensed forester can help with that.”

Buyer beware: 5 mistakes to avoid when purchasing land

Many people find landand just know in their gut that it’s where they want to build their home. But stop and look a little more carefully—or hire a surveyor, civil engineer or licensed site evaluator. Bob Berry, chief executive ocer and owner of land planning company Main- Land Development Consultants, warns of these pitfalls.

1.DO YOU SEE POWER LINES?If electricity isn’t already in the area, it can be quite expensive to get power to your home or purchase off-the-grid fixtures.

2.CAN YOU POO?Most homes in Maine aren’t on public sewer lines, and—when it comes to septic—not all soil is created equal. A licensed site evaluator can verify that you can put a septic system on your site. Consider making your purchase of the land contingent on passing a site evaluation. (Subdivision lots have already been through review to confirm there’s room for both a septic system and a well and that the soils are appropriate.)

3.HOW’S THE WATER?In more rural areas, well water is the norm. In Maine, you’d have to be quite unlucky to drill a well and not get water. That said, water quality difers. Introduce yourself to folks who live in the area and ask about the water quality to get an idea of whether you’ll be investing in water filtration.

4. CAN YOU GET THERE FROM HERE?If the property is on a state route, call the Department of Transportation before you buy. Some state routes are designated as mobility corridors, and you can’t put a driveway there. Even if the lot isn’t on a state route, turn around and look at the road: Getting out of a hidden driveway at the bottom of a hill on a curve can be a bear.

5.WATERFRONT DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN WATER VIEW.You might dream of a house by a pond, seeing and even hearing the water. However, setbacks mean that you can’t build within 100 feet of waterfront. And, many places in Maine, those 100 feet may be thick with evergreen trees.

This article appeared in the Spring 2021 edition of Green & Healthy Maine HOMES. Subscribe today!

Find Maine experts that specialize in healthy, efficient homes in the Green Homes Business Directory.