Frequently Asked Questions
The Summit Monte Sano March 6th Gathering
Do the developers have the resources to complete this project?
Yes, the development company is well capitalized by the development team and a private equity fund. The development company has zero debt on the property and the property was acquired with all cash. Since then, we have invested significant time and resources on architectural, legal, and civil engineering services.
What is the developers experience and expertise?
Ben Jackson – Managing Partner
The development is being led by Ben Jackson (56) as he is the Chief Operating Officer of the company. Mr. Jackson is an Alabama native, grew up in Montgomery and graduated from the University of Alabama. The past three decades he has been a leading broker and luxury homebuilder in Telluride, Colorado. Mr. Jackson has developed extensively in Southwestern Colorado where challenging, mountainous terrain is a common part of his developments. He currently leads the JW Group for Forbes Global Properties.
Pearson Handlin – Managing Partner
Mr. Handlin (34) was instrumental in the capital fundraising and financial analysis during the early stages of the development. He currently focuses on strategic planning, investor relations, and cost and market analysis. He also leads MTN Realty Holdings, where he managed the recent acquisition of two large hospitality redevelopment properties in Colorado; he currently manages both properties. Pearson earned a Bachelor’s in finance and accounting from Texas Christian University.
Additional Key Team Members
In Addition to the partners’ roles there are some notable 3rd party partners that have been instrumental in the technical and planning aspect of the development. This includes (1) Jeff Casella, Partner, Gilbert McLaughlin Casella Architects, Nashville, TN; (2) Daniel Feld, Partner, Smith Engineering, Huntsville, AL; (3) Keith Mandel, P.E., Owner and Sr. Engineer, OMI, Inc. (Geotechnical), Huntsville, AL; (4) Matthew Reeves, Shareholder, Maynard Cooper Gale, Huntsville, AL.
Is the development and any disturbance of land going to create additional flooding?
A drainage plan can be provided upon request. Please contact Daniel Feld, Civil Engineer, at 256-539-9426.
What efforts are being made to preserve the hillside, trees, natural habitat, and recreational trails?
From the very beginning, See Forever understood that this was a unique property that, if designed right, would positively impact Huntsville - not only economically - but by designing the development in an environmentally sensitive way that honors the beautiful hillside and the people who enjoy it. That said, the design minimizes the disturbance footprint whereas if the developers moved forward as currently zoned than the entire property would be subdivided and sold as individual lots that would likely cause “on and off” construction as buyers built individually.
In addition, See Forever is working with the North Alabama Land Trust to reach a mutually agreeable arrangement that will likely result in a conveyance of property as opposed to a conservation easement. A map comparing the zoning (current vs proposed) has been enclosed.
Further, it is the shared intent of See Forever and the Land Trust to maintain the current trail system on the property.
Will the proposed development cause more land disturbance than is currently zoned?
The lightly shaded area illustrates the R1A lots (as currently zoned) where owners would have a use by right to build a single family structure. Above is a comparison of the acreage disturbance which evidences less disturbance with the proposed plan as compared to current zoning.
Please note that the lots, as currently zoned, extend beyond the darker shaded areas and additional structures including lawn mower sheds, playhouses any other “temporary” structure could be situated on the lots. Under current zoning there would be significantly more disturbed area, including the removal of trees on the hillside.
The map illustrates the proposed land conveyance (green) to the North Alabama Land Trust. As illustrated on the map, the existing mountain trail infrastructure would remain and mountain biking and hiking would be an attribute of the property, neighborhood and community.
The Summit Monte Sano March 6th Gathering Q&A
