A New Net-Zero Neighborhood Rises in South Burlington
Development firm O’Brien Brothers is creating a South Burlington community that is designed to stay powered on during the unpredictable weather events brought on by ever prevailing climate change.
The Vermont community, Hillside East is fossil free and features amenities with lower carbon appliance output that stay running even when the power goes out.
Part of a 900-unit development, Hillside at O’Brien Farm, the first phase of the 15-year project included 115 newly completed single-family homes, all of which have sold or are under contract.
According to Seven Days, the second phase, now in progress, includes 155 net-zero homes that are designed to produce about as much power as they consume. Known as Hillside East, it will be one of the first neighborhoods in the country to share power on a microgrid, a small-scale power grid that connects homes in the net-zero development with each other and with the electric company Green Mountain Power.
