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Developers put nature first in new neighborhood by Emily Cole · ecole@sbj.net A years-in-the-making vision is culmi- nating in the development of potentially the first green-certified neighborhood in the Springfield area. Developers JJ Hetherington and Clint Harlan said the development is designed to integrate residences and nature while making the least impact possible on the land. “We just had a vision, years ago, of finding a piece of property that we could develop in a way that wouldn’t destroy the land – that would restore it first,” Hetherington said. “Then build a community in that land for people to enjoy it, to play in it, to live in it.” The result is Canopy – a low-impact neighborhood just to the north of Spring- field along the Dry Sac River corridor, off of Grant Avenue. Where most subdivisions fo- cus on construction, Canopy emphasizes preservation, with 60% of green space remaining at the 44-acre site and green-certification of the entire neighborhood anticipated. “Instead of looking at it from how many dollars can we squeeze out of how many acres,” Harlan said, “we looked at it first and foremost from what can we save, what can we preserve, what can we build with and around, in order to leave 200-year-old trees in place.” Ginnett Sturdefant of Sturdy Real Estate worked with Har- lan and Hetherington to find the plot of land that fit their de- velopment vision. With the Dry Sac River flowing through, con- nections to walking trails and MCKENZIE ROBINSON Ginnett Sturdefant of Sturdy Real Estate stands on the site of Canopy, where green-certified homes are slated to be built this spring. North of Springfield, Canopy aims to become fully green-certified See CANOPY on page 21 $2.00 · SBJ.NET FEB. 15-21, 2021 · VOL. 41, NO. 30 Clint Harlan : Team hopes Canopy inspires future developers. Tricia Derges faces a 20-count federal indictment. Attorney: Derges has no plans to resign byMike Cullinan · mcullinan@sbj.net The attorney for state Rep. Tricia Derg- es, who faces federal criminal charges for prescription and wire fraud, said her client intends to stay in office despite calls from lawmakers to resign. “I can tell you she has no plans at this time to an- nounce her res- ignation,” said attorney Stacie Bilyeu, regarding Derges, R-Nixa. Republicans in the Missouri House of Representatives voted Feb. 8 to kick the freshman legislator out of their caucus. Derges was elected in November to a two- year term in the House, representing Chris- tian County in the 140th District. House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-St. Charles, and Majority Floor Leader Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis, said in a joint statement the Feb. 8 vote “is reflective of the incredibly serious nature of the federal charges filed against her and the fact these Amid criminal charges, state rep is removed from House Republican Caucus See DERGES on page 24 40 YEARS • YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY AT 30,000 FEET A new hangar is a bright spot at the city airport during a sluggish airline environment. PAGE 7 provided by SPRINGFIELD-BRANSON NATIONAL AIRPORT