Holstein-adjacent

Dairy farms and crops once blanketed this corner of San Bernardino County. But now there’s a master-planned community in the middle, bringing new meaning to Chino’s motto: “Where Everything Grows.”

Beginnings

Half a century ago, Chino was fast becoming a thriving dairy center, eventually boasting more than 400 family-owned dairies and 400,000 head of cattle.

But that changed in 2003, when the city released its plan to develop almost 5,500 acres of rural land into residential, commercial and recreational use.

The Preserve at Chino’s first phase of homes and amenities was completed in 2005; about 500 families now live there in custom-built, single-family homes and town homes.

And that’s just the beginning. Within the next eight to 15 years, the community is expected to have 9,700 residences and at least two schools for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The Preserve is bordered by Euclid Avenue and California 71 to the west, Kimball and Merrill avenues to the north, Chino Corona Road to the south and Hellman Avenue to the east. It’s just north of the Alta Dena Dairy farm.

What it’s about

The Preserve is where old Chino morphs into the new. It’s still in its infancy, and like all babies, it has some adorable moments -- such as when the residents throw a pet parade. It also is experiencing some growing pains, like when the wind blows in a certain direction and the air is scented with “eau de cow manure.”

For the most part, those who have settled here -- mainly retirees and families with children -- were drawn by its affordable homes, self-contained lifestyle and community amenities.

Insiders’ view

The Preserve boasts parks, a calendar full of community activities and a 15,000-square-foot clubhouse with a pool, a 24-hour fitness center, tennis courts and a movie theater.

Pet parades, summer concerts, casino nights and other events keep the community close-knit.

The promise of new schools is another perk. The first new campus will be a K-8 school, scheduled to open in the fall. It will also include public facilities: a gym, a library and a sports park.

“The new school was the biggest selling point for me and my family,” said Andy Petitjean, a resident since 2005. He paid $725,000 for his 4,450-square-foot Spanish Colonial, which has five bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Housing stock

The Preserve has nine neighborhoods of single-family homes and town homes. The homes range from 1,266 to 4,458 square feet and come in a variety of styles, including Craftsman, farmhouse, cottage and Spanish Colonial.

The homeowners association dues start at $124 a month and go to more than $400, depending on the home.

On the market now is a 1,759-square-foot town home listed at $443,446. It has three bedrooms and three bathrooms and was built in 2006. A 2,704-square-foot farmhouse with four bedrooms and three bathrooms is listed at $599,900.

A 4,396-square-foot Craftsman-style home is listed at $868,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, 4 1/2 bathrooms and a den.

Good news, bad news

Dairy farms remain. So, if you’re not too keen on having four-legged neighbors, the Preserve may not be for you.

Proximity to the Chino Airport, just to the north, is also a sore point for some people. Small private planes soar above these homes, and when they land, the noise disturbs the quiet of the neighborhood. The airport has two runways that run east and west, which are parallel to the community.

To those who see just what’s in front of them without an eye on the future, the new community may stand out in contrast to its rural surroundings. But Randall Lewis, executive vice president of Lewis Group of Companies, which built the Preserve, counsels patience.

“Creating a community like this takes time,” he said.

Many share his vision. Residents point with pride to the recreational features that the community offers. Mario Pichardo, who bought a 4,000-square-foot traditional style home in 2005, isn’t bothered by his bovine neighbors.

“For me, it’s really all about the amenities. I love the clubhouse and the parks,” he said, adding that he likes reading in the clubhouse’s study areas.

Report card

The Preserve is served by the Chino Valley Unified School District. Until the new school opens, children from kindergarten through the sixth grade can attend Butterfield Ranch Elementary, which scored 903 out of a possible 1,000 on the 2006 Academic Performance Index Base Report. Woodcrest Junior High and Chino Hills High scored 702 and 749, respectively.

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Sources: www.thepreserveatchino.com; city of Chino, www.cityofchino.org; www.cde.ca.gov.