Engineering Inc. - March/April 2008 - (Page 24)

MULTI-PROJECT FEATURE Sustainability in Stone Creek PROJECT: Stone Creek Planned Unit Development, Fairhope, Ala. FIRM: W Volkert & Associates, Inc., Mobile, Ala. hen developers began work on the 190-acre Stone Creek Planned Unit Development project in 2004, the goal was to create a self-contained community where residents could live and work—even shop and go out for a night on the town, if they so choose. As the project got under way, developers contracted with Mobile, Ala.-based Volkert & Associates, Inc., to conduct initial project surveys and wetland delineations. The company also was responsible for developing the site’s master plan, including planning for housing lots, roads and commercial properties. Plans for landscape architecture, rezoning, annexation, envi- ronmental protection, storm drainage, utilities and other services also were included in Volkert’s initial analysis. The company then stayed on board throughout the process to oversee construction. Completed in 2006, the project coincided with the city’s comprehensive plan for quality growth, in building a traditional neighborhood with a village center, providing residents a self-contained lifestyle where everything from retail stores and restaurants to banks and day care is available within walking distance of their homes. The development includes a mix of lot sizes, three lakes, a clubhouse, a swimming pool and tennis courts. The project was extensive. But the lakes were particularly challenging, says Volkert Vice President Steve Commander, one of the lead engineers responsible for the development. “The lakes were designed as an amenity while serving as detention ponds for storm water detention and filtration,” says Commander. Develop- ers were adamant that the detention ponds not look like detention ponds, but instead serve as attractive features of the community. The company met the challenge by enlarging the ponds to achieve more surface area and decreasing the freeboard necessary for the ponds to serve as water storage facilities. The ponds also were lined with clay to retain the water in sandy soil. Prior to filling the ponds with water, the survey crew taped a blue line around the perimeter at the designated water elevation so engineers could better visualize the desired height of the water. “This was done in case any adjustments were needed to the overall structure of the ponds,” Commander explains. Another challenge was the trees. The undeveloped site was completely forested, making it difficult for city officials and community members to visualize the concept and its merits as a finished product. To ease that process, Volkert employed 3D computer models to aid in the city’s approval process and to help other stakeholders better understand the layout. “Using the technology at several public hearings, one with the Fairhope Planning Commission and another with the Fairhope City Council, we were able to demonstrate what the final result of the plan would be and eventually received unified public support for the project,” explains Commander. Volkert’s team of landscape architects, environmental scientists and engineers also performed extensive site investigations and worked closely with the Fairhope planning staff to create an effective blueprint from which to work. “These unified efforts created an environmentally sensitive plan that addressed the needs of the developer and the requirements of the Fairhope Comprehensive Plan,” says Commander. the 190-acre Stone Creek planned unit development includes three lakes, a village center, clubhouse and swimming pool, and tennis courts. Steve Commander Construction crews cut a road through the forest for a housing complex. A man-made lake serves as a detention pond for storm runoff. 24 ENGINEERING INC. MARCh / APRIL 2008

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Engineering Inc. - March/April 2008

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