Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008 - (Page 44)

WASTEWATER How They Brought Tuscany to Central Florida Low-pressure waste system proves to be a key solution to the challenges of hilly terrain that confronted developers of a landmark golfing and equestrian community. By Bill Nestor The hills outside Orlando, Florida are 300-acre body of water, is located comreminiscent of central Italy. The rolling pletely inside the property lines, and 48terrain offered a tantalizing setting but square-mile Lake Apopka, the third posed significant infrastructure chal- largest lake in Florida, borders the eastlenges for the developers of Bella ern boundary of the property. There are Collina. spectacular water vistas and recreational The landscape, similar to that found opportunities. Ginn also built a one-milin Tuscany, creates a sense of authenticity lion-gallon, lined irrigation pond to to the design, feel and lifestyle envi- water the golf course,” said David Hood, sioned by Orlando-based Ginn Develop- Ginn Development Company project ment Company. Just 20 miles west of manager. downtown, theme-park central and Sea But the hilly terrain meant significant World, near the historic Florida towns of costs and a great deal of additional inClermont and frastructure to deal Montverde, the with wastewater hilly topography is demands. A specialunique in central ized, low-pressure Florida with the system which ingreatest elevation corporates localized changes in the grinder pumps and peninsula state. small-diameter pipThe newly creing that can be shalated 2,000-acre delow trenched velopment proved to be the anincorporates a swer. gated community “Ginn chose the with 800 home Open waterfront vista typical at Bella Collina. Environment One sites, a private golf (E/One) system beclub and an equestrian center. The Pine cause we didn’t want a bunch of lift staIsland Community Development Dis- tions all over the property,” Hood trict (CDD), established by Ginn, facili- said. “Other systems would have necestated development and finances for sitated many lifts given the elevation needed infrastructure. changes of the property.” With full build out projected by 2015, the developers envision the unique- The Vision lifestyle community will one day take its The Tuscan feel of Bella Collina creplace among the premier developments ates a simple yet elegant lifestyle far in the country. enough from the crowds of Orlando, but “The land is diverse, with its close enough to enjoy the fruits of its ofundulating hilly terrain, open areas of ferings. Home sites in this rural country orange grove and water. Lake Siena, a setting present views overlooking an equestrian center, orange groves and lakes. The design also incorporated waterfront course lots and lakefront parcels with private docks. A traditional, valley-style layout golf course with open fairways and sweeping dunes, designed by professional-golf legend Nick Faldo, overlooks water and orange groves. An impressive 50,000square-foot clubhouse includes handcrafted appointments and detail of authentic Tuscan design and will house a spa, fitness center, fine and casual dining, locker rooms, and golf shop. Tennis courts, a resort-style swimming pool and landscaped, outdoor sports area with playground and playing fields surrounded by a bike/walking path made from cocina shells and wooden planks are future amenities. Sewering, Design, Planning & Engineering Miller, Einhouse, Rymer & Boyd (MER&B) was hired by Ginn for its expertise in community planning, project management, engineering, and landscape architecture. “MER&B did the design and engineering work, including the hydraulic study and infrastructure plans,” said Geoff Summit, who was then lead engineer and onsite project manager for the firm from the beginning of the project in 2001. He is now partner at Dedham Summit Engineering. “As the civil site engineers, MER&B worked on the comprehensive planning, preliminary plot, sewering and construction plans. They also did the road- 44 May 2008 Sustainable Land Development Today

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008

Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008 Contents Our Voice Editorial Board SLDT Resources Addressing a Crisis with Wastewater Recycling Visionary Award Finalists The Jonquil City - How a City Revitalized its Downtown Industry Spotlight: Enviroquip Solar Power System Design and Installation Stormwater: The Return of the Cistern Site Amenity: Fiber Optics Surveying and Mapping Wastewater: Low-Pressure System Special Feature: The Urban Canopy as Infrastructure Industry News Advertiser Index Products/Services Showcase Classifieds The Last Word: Nature Bats Last…

Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008

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