Lot Lines » Industry News http://www.lot-lines.com Experiences, Tips, & Ideas from a Colorado Landscape Architect Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:26:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Compliance with New ADA Standards May Mean Costly Renovations http://www.lot-lines.com/compliance-with-new-ada-standards-may-mean-costly-renovations http://www.lot-lines.com/compliance-with-new-ada-standards-may-mean-costly-renovations#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:24:11 +0000 Matt Corrion http://www.lot-lines.com/?p=1254 On March 15, 2012, facilities across the United States must comply with the revised ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) design standards adopted in the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design.

The 2010 Standards set minimum requirements for newly designed and constructed or altered State or local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

I have reviewed the new standards, and they are pretty extensive.  Property owners and designers should be aware of some of the changes that will be required when constructing or altering a facility.

The provision requiring accessible means of entry/exit for swimming pools has gained a lot of attention.  On March 15th, the US Attorney General signed an extension of 60 days for this particular provision, while also opening up a public comment period.

The swimming pool provision, along with other key new provisions, as taken from the ADA website, include:

2. Recreational Boating Facilities (Sections 235, 1003)

If boat slips are provided at a boating facility, the minimum number that must be accessible depends upon the size of the facility. Accessible boat slips must be dispersed throughout the various types of boat slips.

Where boarding piers are provided at boat launch ramps, at least 5% (but no fewer than one) must be accessible. Gangways that are part of a required accessible route are to be accessible, subject to certain enumerated exceptions.

4. Fishing Piers and Platforms (Sections 237, 1005)

Newly designed, newly constructed, or altered fishing piers must provide accessible routes, subject to the same exceptions permitted for gangways. At least 25% of guardrails or handrails must be no higher than 34 inches and must be dispersed. Clear floor or ground space must be provided at each accessible railing, and turning space must be provided on the pier.

5. Golf Facilities (Sections 238, 1006)

Newly constructed and altered golf facilities must have either an accessible route or golf car passages with a minimum width of 48 inches connecting accessible elements and spaces within the boundary of the golf course. An accessible route must be provided to the golf car rental area, bag drop-off areas, and other elements that are outside the boundary of the golf course. One or two teeing grounds (depending on the total number provided) per hole must be accessible.

If weather shelters are provided, a golf car must be able to enter and exit the shelters. Certain percentages of practice teeing grounds, practice teeing stations at driving ranges, and putting greens must be accessible.

6. Miniature Golf (Sections 239, 1007)

At least fifty percent of all holes on a miniature golf course must be accessible. These accessible holes must be consecutive, and they must be on an accessible route. The last accessible hole must be on an accessible route that connects to the course entrance or exit without going back through other holes.

7. Play Areas (Sections 240, 1008)

Play areas designed, constructed, and altered for children ages two and over in a variety of settings, including parks, schools, childcare facilities, and shopping centers, are covered.

Accessible ground and elevated play components, accessible routes, ramps and transfer systems (typically a platform or transfer steps), and accessible ground surfaces must be provided.

8. Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, and Spas (Sections 242, 1009)

Accessible means of entry/exit are required for swimming pools. Such accessible means of entry include a pool lift or sloped entry, and either a transfer wall, transfer system, or pool stairs. Wading pools must provide a sloped entry, and spas must provide a pool lift, transfer wall, or transfer system. Wave action pools, leisure rivers, and sand bottom pools where user access is limited to one area shall not be required to provide more than one accessible means of entry, either a pool lift, sloped entry, or a transfer system.

 This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.

 

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]]> http://www.lot-lines.com/compliance-with-new-ada-standards-may-mean-costly-renovations/feed 0 14 Programs That Pay You Money to Install Water Efficient Landscaping http://www.lot-lines.com/14-programs-that-pay-you-money-to-install-water-efficient-landscaping http://www.lot-lines.com/14-programs-that-pay-you-money-to-install-water-efficient-landscaping#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:41:11 +0000 Matt Corrion http://www.lot-lines.com/?p=1220 You may have heard that you can save big bucks on water and maintenance by renovating your landscaping to be more water-efficient.

water efficient landscaping

But, did you know that Cities across the country will pay you cash to do it?

As water supplies dwindle and populations rise, many municipalities are offering great incentives for reducing water use in the landscape.  When property owners, businesses, or managers factor in the payback from these rebates along with the water and maintenance savings, a landscape renovation can make a lot of sense.

The 2 Main Types of Rebates

Generally speaking, incentives for reducing water use fall into two categories.  The first category is paying customers to remove landscapes that have high water use and replace them with attractive low water use plantings, and the second category is to provide rebates for purchasing and installing irrigation components that reduce water use and that are more efficient than older systems.

As we have discussed in the past, the real water savings (as well as the largest rebates) come from replacing high water use lawns and landscaping, with new plantings that require less water and are more adapted to the local climate.  There are many benefits to this approach- see The Top 10 Benefits of Making Landscaping More Water Efficient.

14 Specific Examples of Rebate Programs

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Incentives for Removing Turf:  $0.75 per square foot for single family homes and multi-family or commercial properties.

Equipment Rebates:  Rebates for smart controllers, rain sensors, rotary nozzles, and equipment for removing sod and placing compost.

Additional Program Notes:  Rebates of up to $150.00 are also offered for rainwater collection systems, and with the installation of a rainwater collection system the incentives double to $1.50 per square foot.  Residents may also receive a $20.00 credit for attending a water efficiency class.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Equipment Rebates:  Rebates for smart water controllers, weather sensors, and moisture sensors for single homes and multi-family or commercial properties.

Additional Program Notes:  Rebates include 50% of the purchase price for valves, and $75.00 per drip zone installed.

Aurora, Colorado

Incentives for Removing Turf:  $1.00 per square foot, up to $10,000 for single family homes, and up to $25,000 for multi-family or commercial properties.

Additional Program Notes:  Rebates are also available for removing old hardscapes, and for seeding areas with native grasses.

Denver, Colorado

Incentives for Removing Turf:  $18.50 per 1,000 gallons of water saved for multi-family or commercial properties.

Equipment Rebates:  Single family residential customers can receive $2.00 per efficient nozzle and $100.00 for weather-based smart controllers with rain sensors.  Multi-family or commercial properties can receive $2.00 per efficient nozzle, and 25% of the cost of a smart controller.

Boulder, Colorado

Equipment Rebates:  Single family residential customers can receive up to $1,000 for installing smart controllers and rain sensors.  Multi-family or commercial properties can receive up to $5,000 for installing smart controllers and rain sensors.

Additional Program Notes:  Rebates are also available for rotary nozzles, mpr spray heads, pressure reducing drip valves, and backflow prevention devices specifically made for drip systems.

Louisville, Colorado

Incentives for Removing Turf:  $0.25 per square foot for installing drought tolerant Buffalo Grass for single family homes and multi-family or commercial properties.

Equipment Rebates:  Rebates of $50.00 for moisture sensors, and 50% of the purchase price of a drip irrigation system are available for single family homes and multi-family or commercial properties.

Castle Rock, Colorado

Equipment Rebates:  Single family residential customers can receive up to $550.00 for installing smart controllers, rain sensors, and rotary nozzles.  Multi-family or commercial properties can receive up to $3,550.00 for installing smart controllers, rain sensors, and rotary nozzles.

Additional Program Notes:  Rotary nozzle rebates are available for up to $200.00 for single family residential, and up to $2,000 for multi-family or commercial properties.  Rebates are available for 50% of the purchase price of smart controllers and rain sensors.

Peoria, Arizona

Incentives for Removing Turf:  Rebates of up to $1,650 are available for single family homes and multi-family or commercial properties.

Equipment Rebates:  Rebates of up to $250.00 are available for installing  smart controllers.

Chandler, Arizona

Incentives for Removing Turf:  Up to $3,000 for single family homes and multi-family or commercial properties.

Equipment Rebates:  Single family residential customers can receive up to $250.00 for installing smart controllers.  Multi-family or commercial properties can receive up to $1,250.00 for installing smart controllers.

Additional Program Notes:  A minimum area of 1,000 square feet of turf must be removed to qualify for turf removal incentives.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Incentives for Removing Turf:  $1.50 to $1.00 per square foot, up to $300,000 for single family and multi-family or commercial properties.

Equipment Rebates:  50% of the cost of smart controllers, and $25.00 for rain sensors for single family and multi-family or commercial properties.

San Diego, California

Incentives for Removing Turf:  $1.50 per square foot up to $3,000 for single family homes, and $1.50 per square foot up to $9,000 for multi-family or commercial properties.

Equipment Rebates:  Single family residential customers can receive up to $400.00 for installing smart controllers.  Multi-family or commercial properties can receive $25.00 per station up to 68 stations ($1,700) for installing a smart controller.

Additional Program Notes:  Rebates of $0.50 for every gallon of storage capacity up to 400 gallons are offered for rainwater collection systems.

Santa Clara, California

Incentives for Removing Turf:  $0.75 per square foot up to $2,000 is available for for single family homes, and $0.75 per square foot up to $20,000 is available for multi-family or commercial properties.

Equipment Rebates:  Rebates are available for smart controllers, rain sensors, rotary nozzles, and dedicated landscape meters.

Additional Program Notes:  Rebates of $1.50 per square foot up to $30,000 are also available for commercial properties through a “cost sharing areas” program.

Austin, Texas

Equipment Rebates:  Single family residential customers can receive up to $375.00 in equipment rebates.  Multi-family properties can receive up to $500.00 for new equipment.

Additional Program Notes:  Rain water harvesting rebates of up to $5,000 are available for no-pressurized or pressurized systems.

San Antonio, Texas

Incentives for Removing Turf:  Rebates of up to $400.00 are available for reducing water bill for single family homes and multi-family or commercial properties.

Equipment Rebates:  Rebates of up to $3,200 are available for installing smart controllers, rain sensors, and rotary nozzles.

Additional Program Notes:  Incentives are offered for capping irrigation zones and/or converting existing irrigation systems to drip.

 

These incentive and rebate programs are typically limited to a maximum allowable rebate amount based on the area of the project, and the purchase price of the irrigation components.  Many of the programs also are only available on a first come first serve basis.  With limited funding many municipalities exhaust their funds in the first few months of the year.  Other program requirements include selecting plants from specific drought tolerant or native plant lists, percentage of plant area coverage, and the make and model of irrigation components.

Because of the complexity of the projects and the paperwork involved, it may make sense to have a landscape architect assist you for a moderate fee.  These professional consultants can prepare any plans that are needed, submit applications, gain approval from local building departments and HOA’s, and maximize the potential rebate amount you will get back.

In addition, most states require a licensed landscape architect to prepare plans for any major renovation on a commercial or larger residential property.  The fees for these services are often offset by the savings that come from having a good plan that can be accurately bid and installed by contractors.

So, if you are looking to make your property more sustainable, update it’s image, and save on maintenance and water, look into what programs may be available in your area.

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.

 

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]]> http://www.lot-lines.com/14-programs-that-pay-you-money-to-install-water-efficient-landscaping/feed 0 USDA Releases New Updated Plant Hardiness Zone Maps http://www.lot-lines.com/usda-releases-new-updated-plant-hardiness-zone-maps http://www.lot-lines.com/usda-releases-new-updated-plant-hardiness-zone-maps#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:24:49 +0000 Matt Corrion http://www.lot-lines.com/?p=1184 New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

On January 25th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an updated version of their Plant Hardiness Zone Map.  Here are some excerpts from the USDA website, where you can also view and download the new maps:

The 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones.
 
For the first time, the map is available as an interactive GIS-based map, for which a broadband Internet connection is recommended, and as static images for those with slower Internet access. Users may also simply type in a ZIP Code and find the hardiness zone for that area.
 
No posters of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map have been printed. But state, regional, and national images of the map can be downloaded and printed in a variety of sizes and resolutions.

My thoughts:  It is kind of surprising that the maps have not been updated since 1990.

You can enter your zip code, search by state, or simply click on your state on the national map to get a new state map.

Colorado, like most places, got a little warmer.  Now Zone 3 only includes areas at high elevations.  The foothills are a mix of Zone 4 and 5, and the urban “heat island effect” is taken into consideration with Denver in Zone 6.  What changes are you seeing for your area?

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects. For more information about our business and our services, click here.

 

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]]> http://www.lot-lines.com/usda-releases-new-updated-plant-hardiness-zone-maps/feed 0 What Does a Landscape Architect Do? – Find out on 8-17-11 http://www.lot-lines.com/what-does-a-landscape-architect-do-find-out-on-8-17-11 http://www.lot-lines.com/what-does-a-landscape-architect-do-find-out-on-8-17-11#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:56:53 +0000 Matt Corrion http://www.lot-lines.com/?p=968

What does a Landscape Architect do? Do they dig holes? Sell flowers? Or do they just draw “pretty pictures?” The profession of Landscape Architecture has been perceived incorrectly by many and this upcoming Wednesday  that starts to change. Unknown to most, but Landscape Architecture actually requires a college degree which is a little longer than the typically 4 years. Internships are becoming the norm at universities giving students professional experience between their studies. Then even once you graduate you technically can’t even call yourself a Landscape Architect until you further your experience and pass the gauntlet that is the LARE (Landscape Architect Registration Exam).

So getting back to the original point, what does a Landscape Architecture do? Well they design and plan the environment that surrounds you. Basically everywhere you live, work and play at, has had a Landscape Architect’s touch put on it. Here are just a few examples of places that Landscape Architects create:

College Campuses
Commercial Property
Public & Therapeutic Gardens
Hotels & Resorts
Golf Courses
Parks & Recreational Areas
Residential Sites
Land Reclamation
Monuments
City Planning
Streetscapes
Transportation Corridors
Urban Environments

If you would like to see a little bit more, this video is a sample of what is to come this Wednesday 08-17-2011.  http://www.asla.org/Multimedia.aspx

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.


 

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]]> http://www.lot-lines.com/what-does-a-landscape-architect-do-find-out-on-8-17-11/feed 0 How to Design Your Landscape to be a Sponge for Rainwater http://www.lot-lines.com/how-to-design-your-landscape-to-be-a-sponge-for-rainwater http://www.lot-lines.com/how-to-design-your-landscape-to-be-a-sponge-for-rainwater#comments Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:07:53 +0000 Matt Corrion http://www.lot-lines.com/?p=956 The following video by Brad Lancaster illustrates how much water the landscape is capable of absorbing- Check it out! I first saw Brad do a presentation a couple of years ago in Denver, and he is a really funny and effective presenter with some great ideas.

How can this be applied to our own residential and commercial landscapes?

Brad advocates a change in the way rainwater and storm drainage is thought of. Often times buildings are designed to get water to drain off of the site as quickly as possible, and into an elaborate system of storm drains. This approach treats rainwater as a nuisance, where it is not being used on the site at all. With a landscape design and drainage design that captures and directs water so that it can be used for gardens, flowers, and trees, this water can be utilized on-site as a valuable resource.

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.



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]]> http://www.lot-lines.com/how-to-design-your-landscape-to-be-a-sponge-for-rainwater/feed 0 Outdoor Design Group Moves into Olde Town Arvada Office http://www.lot-lines.com/outdoor-design-group-moves-into-olde-town-arvada-office http://www.lot-lines.com/outdoor-design-group-moves-into-olde-town-arvada-office#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:42:04 +0000 Matt Corrion http://www.lot-lines.com/?p=949 We are very excited to have moved into the Jehn Center in Olde Town Arvada.  Our new address is 5690 Webster Street, Arvada, CO  80002.  We have been in the new office location for about 3 weeks, and are loving the new surroundings.  It took a lot of work to pack up everything and make the move, while in the midst of the middle of summer with dozens of projects in full swing!

Below are some example graphics we are doing for of one of the many exciting new projects we are working on, a resort near Cape Coral, Florida.

Lake Resort and Hotel in Florida

Needless to say, I have been slacking on making new blog posts lately.  But please stay tuned as I have a ton of ideas for new articles full of great tips and ideas!

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.



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]]> http://www.lot-lines.com/outdoor-design-group-moves-into-olde-town-arvada-office/feed 0 Plan Unveiled to Restore the National Mall in Washington DC http://www.lot-lines.com/plan-unveiled-to-restore-the-national-mall-in-washington-dc http://www.lot-lines.com/plan-unveiled-to-restore-the-national-mall-in-washington-dc#comments Thu, 11 Nov 2010 23:18:42 +0000 Matt Corrion http://www.lot-lines.com/?p=743 old photo of national mall
After several years of planning and public input, this week the United States Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and the National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis announced an agreement on a final plan to revitalize the National Mall.  The final plan was developed after four years of input from the public, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), and other stakeholders.

According to the article released by ASLA (ASLA Advocacy Network), “the plan seeks to accomplish a number of objectives, including improving resources, public access, visitor amenities and monument preservation.”

Here are more excerpts from the article:

Some of the high priority projects include: improving the design and redevelopment of Union Square in front of the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial; replacing the Capitol Reflecting Pool with a smaller pool or fountain that could also be used as a gathering place to ease strain on the nearby trees and grass; rebuilding the Tidal Basin seawalls; creating a multi-purpose visitor center; and building more restrooms.  

The plan also calls for improved sustainability through water conservation and tree restoration.  In particular, the reflecting pools at the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol will get circulating water systems that will filter and recycle water. The gravel and aging walkways would be replaced with sustainable, low maintenance paving materials and the iconic Elm trees would be restored along with improved monitoring of all vegetation and soils. 

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.



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]]> http://www.lot-lines.com/plan-unveiled-to-restore-the-national-mall-in-washington-dc/feed 0 California Water Provider Announces New Water Conservation Rebate Programs http://www.lot-lines.com/california-water-provider-announces-new-water-conservation-rebate-programs http://www.lot-lines.com/california-water-provider-announces-new-water-conservation-rebate-programs#comments Wed, 22 Sep 2010 20:45:07 +0000 Matt Corrion http://www.lot-lines.com/?p=676 Thanks to Barbara Landrith at CLCA for sharing this great article (M2 Equitybites), excerpts from which follow:

Water and wastewater services provider California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, stated on Thursday that the company and the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District will be offering more rebates for installation of water-saving appliances and water-wise landscaping, commencing this month.

Residents can earn rebates for removing lawn and replacing it with low water use plants, permeable surfaces or synthetic turf. This programme now offers $1.25 per square foot of lawn removed and replaced with low water use plants or permeable surfaces up to 5,000 square feet (an increase from 2,000 square feet). Lawn replaced with synthetic turf qualifies for an additional rebate of $2.00 per square foot up to 2,000 square feet, bringing the maximum rebate amount to more than  $10,000.

My Thoughts: Those are pretty substantial rebates.  The amounts available are higher than I have seen in the past, and would be more than enough incentive for homeowners to consider renovating their landscaping to save water.

Unfortunately, the only landscape related rebates mentioned for commercial businesses are for graywater irrigation systems.   While I applaud those efforts, a much greater opportunity for water savings for commercial properties is in offering substantial rebates to replace high water-use landscaping with more water-wise landscaping.

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.

 

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]]> http://www.lot-lines.com/california-water-provider-announces-new-water-conservation-rebate-programs/feed 0 Up to $25,000 Rebates Available through 2010 Aurora Xeriscape Program http://www.lot-lines.com/up-to-25000-rebates-available-through-2010-aurora-xeriscape-program http://www.lot-lines.com/up-to-25000-rebates-available-through-2010-aurora-xeriscape-program#comments Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:05:28 +0000 Matt Corrion http://www.lot-lines.com/?p=480 More communities are realizing that Xeriscape (low water use landscaping) makes sense, and are actively promoting it.

low water use xeriscape

photo of a converted xeriscape that was previously a lawn area

The City of Aurora, Colorado and Aurora Water have been pioneers in water conservation through supporting regionally appropriate landscape design.  Outdoor Design Group has been actively involved with the program for the last couple of years.  For 2010, the Xeriscape Rebate program has been allocated $250,000 dollars for rebates to convert high water use landscapes (sod, turf, or lawn) to Xeriscape.

In past posts on this blog, I have documented the money and water savings and given examples of the beauty of these landscapes.  Each site is different, but in general you can expect a reduction in irrigation water use of 30-70%, and a 20-40% reduction of landscape maintenance costs.  This is a great opportunity for HOA’s, commercial properties, and homeowners to achieve long-term savings, in addition to acquiring the rebates.

Here are some key aspects of the 2010 program, from Aurora Water’s website:

  • Xeriscape is a great landscape option for our climate because of its reduced watering needs and ability to tolerate periods of drought.
  • In addition to decreased water consumption and resilience to drought, Xeriscape has the potential to significantly decrease time and resources expended on maintenance.
  • Aurora Water customers interested in Xeriscape as a landscape alternative may be eligible for a rebate of up to $1 per square foot for turf grass that is replaced with low water use plant material.
  • $250,000 has been allocated for the 2010 season. The maximum square footage (rebate) is $10,000 for residential and $25,000 for commercial and large properties such as Homeowner’s Associations and multi-family dwellings.

For commercial and large properties such as home owners associations- the program requires that you haver a plan prepared by a licensed landscape architect.  This is a good idea anyway, as a landscape architect can help you prepare a budget and phasing for the project before you commit to a contractor to do the installation.  Landscape architects are also good at communicating what the new landscape will look like- through the use of plans, photos, drawings, and presentations.

Aurora is an ideal community for a rebate program like this, because there are many older landscapes were built in the 1970′s, 80′s and 90′s, and are ready for a renovation simply to update the look of outdated properties.  Although most new landscape codes mandate low water use landscaping, that was not the case in the past-  many older landscapes were designed in a way that requires large amounts of water and maintenance.

But Aurora is far from alone in offering this type of program.  Water supplies are stretched extremely thin throughout most of the Western United States.  A simple Google search for “Xeriscape rebate” brings up 26,400 results.  Similar programs exist throughout Colorado, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and elsewhere.

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.



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]]> http://www.lot-lines.com/up-to-25000-rebates-available-through-2010-aurora-xeriscape-program/feed 0 Developers turn to Uniquely Themed Communities in Difficult Housing Market http://www.lot-lines.com/developers-turn-to-uniquely-themed-communities-in-difficult-housing-market http://www.lot-lines.com/developers-turn-to-uniquely-themed-communities-in-difficult-housing-market#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:02:05 +0000 Matt Corrion http://lotlines.wordpress.com/?p=191 Here are excerpts from an interesting article from USA Today (Larry Olmstead), on the trend of specialized themed communities, including several located in Colorado and the west:

Themed communities now are targeted at hunters and anglers, cyclists and equestrians, pilots and gardeners, even oenophiles. ”Developments are becoming more specialized,” says Orlando real estate broker Scott Kauffman of Golfcoursebusiness.com, an expert on master planned communities. “People have different passions.”

An example: Kukui’ula on Kauai, a golf community that also is a sustainable development. It “markets itself as a ‘living garden,’ and buyers are drawn by a fabulous 50-acre co-op farm,” Kauffman says. Other vacation-home communities attract green thumbs to coffee and grape farms, and Colorado’s Maytag Mountain Ranch offers owners of its 27 100-acre ranches a share in a grass-fed cattle operation.

What sets the best communities apart are specialized facilities. When finished, the Motor Sport Country Club of Colorado outside Denver will have four tracks totaling 8 miles, including a Formula 1-style layout and an off-road racing course (motorsportcc.com).

For horse lovers, Palmetto Bluff’s nearly 200 acres of equestrian facilities in South Carolina include two barns, pastures, a covered arena, regulation dressage ring, 5-acre turf event field, and cross-country course designed by Olympian John Williams (palmetto-bluff.com).

The hunting-centric Wyoming Club offers owners shooting ranges and three satellite properties in Nebraska and the Dakotas, boasting a vast array of big game and waterfowl (wyomingclub.com).

Other types of communities that are becoming popular are solar communities, wind power communities, carbon-neutral developments, and just about anything that can be marketed a “green”.  And we all know how popular golf communities have been over the years.

I see this shift toward more specialized communities as a trend that will grow.  Sure, some of the more quirky ideas will fail, but the overall trend should continue.  More home buyers have unique interests, and will be looking for communities that fit those interests.  This should be particularly true for older individuals who no longer have children or large families in the home, or are looking for vacation homes.  As our population gets older there should be even more demand.

Speaking as a consultant, from a design/marketing/branding standpoint- the more unique the theme the better.  Suburban areas continue to grow, and there is only so much we can do with names, monuments, and theming for a typical boilerplate subdivision or retail center.  Uniquely themed communities provide more opportunity for interesting design elements, and should be easier to market- albeit to a more limited pool of customers.

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.



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