Tidewater Colony
9.7 Acres in Annapolis

Interview with Michael DeStefano (MD) and Christopher Swatta (CS)

Michael DeStefano is a Homebuilder with Sturbridge Homes, Chris Swatta was then Vice President of the then Severn River Land Trust

SRLT:

What is Sturbridge?

MD:

Sturbridge Homes was started 22 years ago as a family business by our father and joined in the late 1990's my brother and myself. We try to think beyond bricks and mortar, and create environments and details that can really make a new house a home.

CS:

Michael's father had earned a reputation for environmentally sensitive homebuilding, as typified by Bayberry Hill, on the Severn north of Annapolis. His sons appear to be carrying on this tradition, and indeed taking it a step further.

SRLT:

What is Tidewater Colony?

MD:

Tidewater Colony is Sturbridge's newest community and exemplifies our philosophy of home building. We believe in quality of life both inside and out, and have therefore donated a good chunk of our land for conservation.

SRLT:

How did you come to donate a conservation easement to the SRLT?

MD:

Our contacts with the environmental community date back to Comprehensive Rezoning in the late 1980's. We learned a lot from each other, and found that there was actually more to be gained from cooperation than from conflict.

SRLT:

Why would your company want to conserve land that could otherwise be developed?

MD:

By establishing a conservation easement we can guarantee preservation of a bit of nature for future generations. This adds to the beauty and privacy of the community and reflects our company's 'Be good to the land' policy.

CS:

The SRLT takes conservation easements on undeveloped land only after the county has finalized site plans. We are careful to avoid any situation where the granting conservation easements could lead to higher density zoning. At Tidewater, development density is actually significantly less than allowed.

SRLT:

Why is this important to the homebuilder?

MD:

Sturbridge makes every effort to retain the natural beauty of a location during site planning. While the community has to be convenient and functional, we also want residents to be able to enjoy what nature has to offer.

CS:

Michael DeStefano is an excellent example of the homebuilder who wants to give something back to the community. It's nice to know a developer who wears a white hat. We just wish there were more like him in our watershed. His company is certainly the model for others to emulate.

SRLT:

Well, it certainly is a pleasure to talk to a builder who understands the importance of natural space even in the urban environment. We thank you for your support with the SRLT Stewardship Endowment Fund in the past, and look forward to working with you on future conservation easements on other Sturbridge properties further upstream on Cowhide Branch.