Civil Municipal - May 2024

towards more sustainable urban living spaces that are accessible and community-focused. “This is about looking at the entire corridor and potentially making changes that allow for more mixed-use development,” Galiano explains, pointing out the county’s ongoing reevaluations and the construction of new transit stations. Adding a real estate perspective is Hal Feldman, a Realtor with RE/MAX Advance Realty. “Pinecrest is both circumstantially and proactively blessed,” Feldman notes, highlighting the large, rare one-acre lots within the community’s borders and its serene yet accessible location. He praises the synergy between Pinecrest’s amenities and its governance, which he believes greatly facilitates his role as a realtor. “It’s quite straightforward working with clients who can afford Pinecrest,” Feldman admits. “The combination of high-quality public and private schools, beautiful parks, and robust community programming makes it an easy sell to high-net- worth individuals and families looking for a blend of upscale living and community-oriented amenities.” THE HAPPINESS INITIATIVE In an era marked by increasing awareness of mental health and societal well-being, Pinecrest is taking bold steps to address these issues and actively enhance the happiness of its residents. The village’s pioneering Happy Pinecrest People Initiative (HaPPI), in partnership with the World Happiness Foundation, exemplifies its efforts to create an environment where well-being is measured and meticulously cultivated. Galiano is visibly enthusiastic about Pinecrest’s groundbreaking efforts in this area. “We’re the first in the nation to partner with the World Happiness Foundation as a city of happiness,” she says. This initiative involves a unique experiment to assess and enhance the residents’ happiness through specific, targeted programs. “We’re undertaking an experiment to quantify happiness levels and develop initiatives designed to improve people’s quality of life demonstrably,” she explains. The impetus for such an innovative approach 162 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 05 BUSINESS VIEW AGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 01