Nestled on the eastern edge of Okotoks, the community of Drake Landing stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when innovation meets technology and sustainable master planning.

"The vision for Drake Landing has always been to provide a safe and sustainable community for people to raise a family in a scenic, small-town setting," said Steven LePan, director of sales and marketing for Anthem United, the developer behind the community.

Ten minutes south of Calgary in the town of Okotoks, homebuyers and builders continue to buck the regional trend of declining housing starts.

In fact, the growing town of just over 29,000 people (based on the 2018 civic census) saw an increase in housing starts in 2019 that is expected to continue into 2020, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Okotoks is the land of opportunity for developers and prospective residents alike

"An easy sell." That's how Okotoks' economic development specialist Alexandra Ross describes the process of attracting developers to the town.

"Okotoks has all the amenities of a big city, including its own Costco store, but it still has a small-town feel," said Ross.

Single-level homes are in high demand among retirees planning for their future

For active senior JoAnn Fetzner, who golfs three times a week and travels widely, one-level, bungalow living was an obvious choice for the rest of her life.

For empty-nester Patti Clarkson, 54, who is easing her way into retirement, her recently purchased bungalow villa will be the perfect "forever home."

For both women, finding a single-level home was a priority – part of their long-term planning for possible mobility issues down the road.

Two historic parcels of Okotoks land to be redeveloped for future generations

Once homesteading land for the D'Arcy and Wedderburn families, two historically significant properties in north Okotoks are to be redeveloped for a new generation of families.

United Communities has purchased approximately 178 hectares of farmland on both sides of Northridge Drive as sites for a pair of mixed use communities — simply to be called D'Arcy and Wedderburn.

Solar energy making strides in Calgary area

Long considered a darling of the green energy industry, solar technology is evolving at such a rapid pace that many experts predict it will soon become commonplace in our everyday lives.

David Silburn, a researcher at SAIT who specializes in green building technologies, said the popularity of solar systems, especially photovoltaic, in residential and commercial applications has skyrocketed in the past seven years as prices have plummeted.

"In 2009, I was paying $10 to $12 a watt installed, whereas now you're spending $2.50 to $3 a watt installed on the same scale of system," he said.

Community in midst of urban hen pilot, continues sustainable practices

There's some fowl play underway in Okotoks these days.

The town, just 15 minutes south of Calgary, is in the midst of an urban hen pilot, which started May 1 and runs until September of next year.

"Two to three months ago, there was discussion in council, which was public, and they decided shortly thereafter to move to pilot project status," said Jon Begg, communications manager for the Town of Okotoks.