Southern Trails
Encyclopedia
Southern Trails is a 523 acres (211.7 ha) master planned community located west of State Highway 288 in Pearland
, Texas
, United States
.
Developed by Ashton Woods, Newmark Homes, Taylor Morrison, and Coventry Homes, the neighborhood includes a recreation center with a kitchen and fitness center, a junior Olympic pool, kiddie pool splash pad, playground, ten lakes, miles of hike & bike trails, and parks & picnic pavilions. 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) of green space have been reserved for lakes and walking trails. Southern Trails is located close to the Texas Medical Center
, Pearland Town Center
, Downtown Houston
, and Reliant Park
. It is planned to have almost 1,400 home sites at full build-out.
The original builders in Southern Trails included David Weekley
Homes, Trendmaker Homes, Imperial, and Trophy.
David Weekley built out all their existing lots by 2008, and then stopped operations in Southern Trails.
Trendmaker Homes built out all their existing lots by 2009, and then stopped operations in Southern Trails.
Imperial Homes filed for bankruptcy in the late summer of 2009. They stopped building in Southern Trails. Their existing lots were sold to Ashton Woods and Coventry Homes.
Newmark Homes Houston was formed in the summer of 2009 after buying the Newmark brand name from TOUSA. TOUSA had been struggling in bankruptcy proceedings for several years, and in 2009 finally decided to close operations in Texas. Newmark Homes Houston is now a local Houston-area building company.
Trophy Homes had been a subsidiary of Newmark and was not bought when Newmark folded in Texas. As of 2010, Trophy is defunct and has no new startups in the Enclave section of Southern Trails.
In July 2010, it was announced that Taylor-Morrison has replaced Trophy in the Enclave at Southern Trails section. Taylor-Morrison has purchased all the available lots in the Enclave not owned by Newmark Homes. Taylor-Morrison is also taking the role of the development company for the infrastructure of the Enclave at Southern Trails. As of September, 2010, Taylor-Morrison has begun construction of three model homes located on Southern Manor Dr., near Windward Bay Drive, in the Enclave.
In October, 2010, it was announced that Coventry Homes will begin building in Southern Trails (to replace Imperial Homes). Coventry Homes will begin building some models on the same street with the Ashton Woods model homes.
In August, 2011, it was announced that the primpary developer will be The Forestar Group.
. Residents are zoned to the following schools:
In 2009, the Alvin Independent School District
purchased a 70 acres (283,280.2 m²) tract of land that borders Southern Trails between the Sage Meadows section and Kirby Drive. Alvin ISD has announced that a new high school will be built on the site. This construction startup will require a bond referendum to be passed by voters, so as of March 2010 there is no projected completion date for the high school.
York Elementary was completed in 2011, and enrollment started for the 2011-2012 session. Residents of The Enclave at Southern Trails are planned to be in this school zone.
The Forestar Group is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure of the property in sections east of Kingsley Dr. (Southern Trails). Taylor-Morrison is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure of the property in sections west of Kingsley Dr. (The Enclave at Southern Trails).
Pearland, Texas
Pearland , is a city located along the Gulf Coast region in the US state of Texas within the metropolitan area and is in the counties of Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris. As of the census of 2000, the city's population was 37,640. As of 2008, Pearland is estimated to have a population of 90,700...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Developed by Ashton Woods, Newmark Homes, Taylor Morrison, and Coventry Homes, the neighborhood includes a recreation center with a kitchen and fitness center, a junior Olympic pool, kiddie pool splash pad, playground, ten lakes, miles of hike & bike trails, and parks & picnic pavilions. 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) of green space have been reserved for lakes and walking trails. Southern Trails is located close to the Texas Medical Center
Texas Medical Center
The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical center in the world with one of the highest densities of clinical facilities for patient care, basic science, and translational research...
, Pearland Town Center
Pearland Town Center
Pearland Town Center is a "lifestyle center" concept regional shopping mall located in the rapidly growing city of Pearland, Texas south of Houston...
, Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston is the largest business district of Houston, Texas, United States. Downtown Houston, the city's central business district, contains the headquarters of many prominent companies. There is an extensive network of pedestrian tunnels and skywalks connecting the buildings of the district...
, and Reliant Park
Reliant Park
Reliant Park is a complex in Houston, Texas, USA, named after the energy company Reliant Energy. It is located on Kirby Drive at the 610 Loop...
. It is planned to have almost 1,400 home sites at full build-out.
Architecture
Southern Trails' architectural style and community layout makes it distinct from many of the other planned communities in the surrounding area. As stated on its website: "The grand entrance heightens the sense of privacy and prestige. The architectural dynamics immediately impress, from the classic clubhouse, to the Arts & Crafts-style light standards that accent the roads, pathways and trails that meander throughout the community."Builders
As of September 2010, the current active builders are Ashton Woods Homes, Newmark Homes Houston, and Taylor-Morrison. Ashton Woods is the sole builder in the main section of Southern Trails (east of Kingsley Drive). Taylor-Morrison and Newmark Homes is the builders in the Enclave at Southern Trails (west of Kingsley Drive). Taylor-Morrison is a new addition as a builder in Southern Trails, having negotiated a contract in the summer of 2010.The original builders in Southern Trails included David Weekley
David Weekley
David M. Weekley, Chairman of David Weekley Homes, began his homebuilding company at the age of 23 in Houston, Texas.-History, Growth, and Management:David Weekley Homes was founded in 1976 in Houston, Texas...
Homes, Trendmaker Homes, Imperial, and Trophy.
David Weekley built out all their existing lots by 2008, and then stopped operations in Southern Trails.
Trendmaker Homes built out all their existing lots by 2009, and then stopped operations in Southern Trails.
Imperial Homes filed for bankruptcy in the late summer of 2009. They stopped building in Southern Trails. Their existing lots were sold to Ashton Woods and Coventry Homes.
Newmark Homes Houston was formed in the summer of 2009 after buying the Newmark brand name from TOUSA. TOUSA had been struggling in bankruptcy proceedings for several years, and in 2009 finally decided to close operations in Texas. Newmark Homes Houston is now a local Houston-area building company.
Trophy Homes had been a subsidiary of Newmark and was not bought when Newmark folded in Texas. As of 2010, Trophy is defunct and has no new startups in the Enclave section of Southern Trails.
In July 2010, it was announced that Taylor-Morrison has replaced Trophy in the Enclave at Southern Trails section. Taylor-Morrison has purchased all the available lots in the Enclave not owned by Newmark Homes. Taylor-Morrison is also taking the role of the development company for the infrastructure of the Enclave at Southern Trails. As of September, 2010, Taylor-Morrison has begun construction of three model homes located on Southern Manor Dr., near Windward Bay Drive, in the Enclave.
In October, 2010, it was announced that Coventry Homes will begin building in Southern Trails (to replace Imperial Homes). Coventry Homes will begin building some models on the same street with the Ashton Woods model homes.
In August, 2011, it was announced that the primpary developer will be The Forestar Group.
Education
Southern Trails is within the Alvin Independent School DistrictAlvin Independent School District
Alvin Independent School District is a school district based in Alvin, Texas .Alvin ISD is a large suburban school district south of Houston that serves the communities of Alvin, Manvel, Pearland, Hillcrest, Rosharon, Iowa Colony, Liverpool, and Amsterdam...
. Residents are zoned to the following schools:
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary
- Glenn York Elementary
- Nolan Ryan Jr. High
- Manvel High SchoolManvel High SchoolManvel High School is a secondary school located at 19601 Texas State Highway 6 in Manvel, Texas, United States.Manvel High School serves 9th through 12th grade and is part of Alvin Independent School District.- History :...
In 2009, the Alvin Independent School District
Alvin Independent School District
Alvin Independent School District is a school district based in Alvin, Texas .Alvin ISD is a large suburban school district south of Houston that serves the communities of Alvin, Manvel, Pearland, Hillcrest, Rosharon, Iowa Colony, Liverpool, and Amsterdam...
purchased a 70 acres (283,280.2 m²) tract of land that borders Southern Trails between the Sage Meadows section and Kirby Drive. Alvin ISD has announced that a new high school will be built on the site. This construction startup will require a bond referendum to be passed by voters, so as of March 2010 there is no projected completion date for the high school.
York Elementary was completed in 2011, and enrollment started for the 2011-2012 session. Residents of The Enclave at Southern Trails are planned to be in this school zone.
Growth
Southern Trails has maintained steady growth, even during the economic recession. As of August, 2011, there are over 579 occupied homes in Southern Trails.Tax Rate
The 2011 property tax (combined) on homes in Southern Trails is $3.638131 for every $100 valuation. This includes tax for MUD district 34.Homeowners Association
The Southern Trails Residential Association, Inc. (RAI) is currently controlled by the developer, Forestar Group, which took over from Ashton Woods Homes in August, 2011. As of 2011, annual RAI dues are $825, except for the Garden Estates section, which is higher since their dues include lawn care. As of 2010, a one-time RAI assessment of $350 is required at closing. As of Dec. 1, 2011, the RAI is administered by Lone Star management company. Prior to that date, it was managed by Planned Community Management, Inc. (PCMI).The Forestar Group is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure of the property in sections east of Kingsley Dr. (Southern Trails). Taylor-Morrison is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure of the property in sections west of Kingsley Dr. (The Enclave at Southern Trails).