Manhard provided engineering and surveying services for this 250-acre 1030 lot zoned Master Planned Community located in Loveland, Larimer County, Colorado. Engineering and survey services were performed in support of the following entitlements:

Provided concept engineering and survey services for the preparation of the General Development Plan (GDP) which zoned the property for 1030 dwelling units consisting of a mixture of detached residential, attached residential, and townhome product. Manhard supported the Planner to receive approval for the zoning in December of 2023.

Provided preliminary engineering and surveying services for the preparation of the Sketch Plan for the Site. This consisted of laying out the road, various lots types, utility layout, drainage concepts, phasing, and grading for the 250 acres parcel. The development is planned for 5 Filings to encompass the entirety of the project.

Provided final engineering and surveying services for Filing 1 of the master planned community consisting of 284 lots consisting of a mixture of attached and detached single family residential product. Onsite Improvements consisted of street design (including a roundabout), final grading (overlot, over excavation, and area grading plans), Water and Sanitary Sewer design, Drainage design dictating the need for a Regional Detention and Water quality facility along with a stormwater conveyance systems. Offsite improvements included design of decel lanes and turn pockets off of Wilson Avenue, a major collector roadway serving the development. The supporting documents for the construction plans included a Final Drainage Report, Final Utility Report, SWMP Report, Final Plat and Engineers Opinion of Probable Construction Costs (EOPC). Expected approval for Filing 1 documents is July 2025.

The master-planned community of Cambridge Lakes is comprised of more than 1,900 acres of former agricultural fields, isolated woodlands, wetlands and creeks in rural Kane County, Illinois. The Cambridge Lakes plan includes approximately 4,700 residential units: a combination of single-family homes, townhouses, duplex homes, and condominium units. Prior to the development of Cambridge Lakes, the Village of Pingree Grove had a population of 124 persons living among 52 residential dwellings (2000 census). By virtue of building Cambridge Lakes, DRH Cambridge Homes, Inc. created not only a new large-scale community, but virtually an entire village.

New village infrastructure included a 1,700,000-gallon per day wastewater treatment facility, three deep wells for potable water supply, two water treatment facilities, one 1,000,000 gallon elevated water storage tank and one 800,000-gallon ground storage tank. Manhard Consulting, Ltd. designed approximately seven miles of trunk line sanitary sewer and three wastewater pumping stations to transport waste to the treatment facility. Manhard Consulting also designed nearly nine miles of primary water main to connect the source, treatment and storage facilities with the residential neighborhood distribution systems.

Storm water management for Cambridge Lakes was a complicated process involving formal approvals from the Village of Pingree Grove, Kane County, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources – Office of Water Resources, the Illinois Department of Transportation – Bureau of Traffic, The United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Detailed hydrologic and hydraulic analyses were completed for both the existing and proposed conditions. The existing conditions analyses covered a watershed in excess of 9.5 square miles and established a base flood elevation for over 8.8 miles of riverine floodplain. Proposed conditions analyses included the design of approximately thirty detention basins including one basin that covers over 45 acres and was designed to provide habitat for native sport fishes. Permitting assistance was provided to secure floodway construction permits from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for six new bridge crossings of regulatory floodways, a Dam Safety Permit for a Class III small dam embankment and multiple Letters of Map Revision and Letters of Map Amendment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Roadway improvements for the Cambridge Lakes development were designed to maintain the sense of community yet effectively distribute and convey traffic through the development to the adjacent arterial streets. Approximately 6.5 miles of collector roadway were designed to provide access to the neighborhood communities. Over three miles of an existing rural farm road was reconstructed and widened to serve as an arterial roadway. Traffic improvements also included nearly three miles of widening improvements on three separate state highways including the design of improvements on eight highway intersections. Manhard Consulting, Ltd. provided design assistance and coordination for the construction of six new precast concrete bridge structures and the widening and deck replacement of an existing concrete deck beam bridge over a major drainage channel.

Manhard Consulting, Ltd. also provided design services for the site development of the Cambridge Throughout the land planning, conceptual engineering, preliminary engineering and final engineering Lakes Learning Center, the first charter school in the State of Illinois to be initiated by a residential developer. Cambridge Lakes Learning Center opened in the fall of 2007 and was designed to accommodate 1,000 students. The Center consists of seven buildings, associated parking and drop-off facilities, plus an adjacent park to meet the recreational needs of the students.

Throughout the land planning, conceptual engineering, preliminary engineering and final engineering design processes, an emphasis was placed on creating an amenitized community that would serve as the model that all future communities in the region would strive to emulate. With the assistance of Manhard Consulting, the developer was able to set aside nearly 700 acres for both the preservation of natural resources and the development of community facilities to be enjoyed by the residents of Cambridge Lakes. Manhard Consulting provided site design for the community parks that were dedicated to the Village of Pingree Grove including facilities for soccer, baseball and softball as well as a community skate park. Within the residential neighborhoods, Manhard Consulting assisted in the design of pocket parks that included playground equipment and open spaces for the enjoyment of the neighborhood children. Manhard Consulting provided site design for three clubhouse facilities, each with their own aquatic centers. Manhard Consulting worked closely with a local golf course architect to integrate a three-hole golf course into the floodplain and storm water management of Carillon at Cambridge Lakes, the age-restricted community developed within Cambridge Lakes. Thanks in part to the efforts of the design staff at Manhard Consulting, Ltd. the developer was able to create an amenitized community that the residents of Cambridge Lakes and the Village of Pingree Grove are proud to call home.

This affordable 62-unit senior apartments project designed exclusively for adults 55 and over is located within the Garfield Ridge Community area.  Manhard provided civil engineering, planning, land surveying, landscape architecture, stormwater management, entitlement assistance and construction administration services. 

The project includes sustainable design with storm water best management practices (BMP’s) with native landscaping throughout, including a parking lot bio-swale and stormwater infiltration basin.  The project required Chicago Planned Development (PD) approval and Manhard assisted through representation at Chicago Plan Commission and Zoning Committee Meetings, PD exhibits, site and landscape plan renderings, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) exhibits, project narratives for PD hearing and CDOT PD coordination. Manhard also lead the efforts for Chicago Fire Prevention Bureau, CDOT PD approval, CDOT Perimeter Paving Agreement (PPA) and Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD).

Cottonwood Highlands Filing 2A is a subsection of the Cottonwood Highlands residential development located in the Town of Parker, Colorado. The property includes 17.34 acres and will contain 56 single-family lots. Filing 2A is the first phase of the Cottonwood Highlands subdivision. Upon completion, the subdivision will contain around 300 single-family lots.

An existing natural drainage channel running through the property presented unique challenges in terms of legal approval and engineering design.  Meeting the town’s water quality requirements required an innovative approach because the water had to be treated before it could be discharged into the existing channel, but this needed to be done cost-effectively. Though the project is not yet completed, it has thus far been successful.

The development of Heritage Todd Creek is a subdivision for single and multi-family homes constructed around an 18-hole golf course in the city of Thornton, Colorado. Approximately 1300 lots are planned for the property’s 670 acres, many of which have already been completely developed. The sheer size of the project, which includes several subsections with multiple ownership entities and metropolitan districts, produced (and continues to produce) special challenges. Coordination with the surrounding golf course also presents unique circumstances, like designing to connect with their master utilities.  Manhard’s development plans have achieved success in delivering lots to match continuous home sales in the large subdivision.

Manhard also designed the 2.0-mile regional trail system at the Heritage Todd Creek subdivision in Thornton. The project included the crossing of two branches of Todd Creek and the design of two arch-culvert crossings beneath Quebec Street, in order to provide regional trail connectivity for future neighborhoods. Multi-use trail height requirements were taken into consideration at the crossings, to ensure the safety of the trail users. Tiered elevations were employed for the trail design in order to keep the trail open during minor storm events. Manhard provided horizontal and vertical layout and grading, and erosion control for the trail.

Manhard Consulting was retained to provide civil engineering and surveying services for this 75 Unit 7-story mixed-income and affordable apartment community for veterans, persons with disability and working families at 5150 N. Northwest Highway in Jefferson Park.

Our team was tasked with performing surveying, engineering, and landscape architecture services as part of the initial site selection and feasibility analysis all the way through construction.  This included providing assistance as part of the entitlements process with the City of Chicago and permitting assistance with the owner and design team through the City of Chicago process.

This project featured some unique political challenges including a concerned neighborhood group opposing the development which required our expertise to help address some of the concerns of the community during the initial entitlement process, as well as to relieve pressure through the permitting process during an Alderman regime change to ensure the project continued to move forward despite some political opposition.

The site in particular had its own challenges from a development perspective as well due to the close proximity to the existing Metra operated and Union Pacific owned railroad, and work to maintain the structural integrity of an adjacent existing retaining wall to the railroad.  Our team was able to work with the client, City staff, and structural design team to provide a grading solution to allow the project to continue on-budget and obtain the necessary permitting and approvals to construct adjacent to this existing retaining wall.  Manhard was able to help guide the design team during dialogue with both adjoining property owners throughout the design process in an effort to obtain necessary agreements and approvals to maintain the development process.

The Oaks of Vernon Hills is a 304-unit luxury, multi-family community currently under construction with leasing beginning in the summer of 2014. This new community will provide a unique opportunity for “renters by choice,” offering convenient amenities, condo quality, “green” features, and a unique mix of contemporary floorplans.

In addition, The Oaks will include a centrally located resident clubhouse, swimming pool, nature paths and extensive green space. The Oaks will include a mix of 256 Luxury Flats in elevator-served 3-story buildings and 48 rowhouses with individual entries, each with its own garage, arranged in distinct neighborhoods.

Manhard provided engineering design, construction administration and environmental services for a five story, 48-unit affordable housing development.  

Oso will include 32 one-bedroom and 16 two-bedroom rental units. The project set aside 29 units for the CHA’s Project Based Voucher program with the remainder rented at an affordable rate for tenants earning no more than 60 percent of the area median income.

The transit-oriented development will provide amenities like a community room and bike storage area plus 22 parking spaces with permeable pavement with underlying stone reservoir.

Manhard Consulting provided civil engineering services for the new $50 million 21-story residential tower and 14,000 square foot park. Located on 1.0 acre, the project achieved a LEED Gold Certification.

The stormwater system was designed to reduce the water quantity and improve the water quality of the stormwater leaving the site.

The park includes multiple seating areas, planting areas and a dog run. A green roof on the 8th floor overlooks the park. A vault, providing stormwater retention, is located underneath the park. All entrances to the building, park pathways, and sidewalk crossings were designed to meet ADA requirements.

The master-planned golf community of Somersett is set on over 2,300 acres designed in perfect harmony with the dramatic beauty of its West Reno setting. Somersett offers a private Country Club featuring a Tom Kite designed championship golf course, a 9-hole par three golf course, the Club at Town Center (a multi-million dollar, 21,000-square-foot recreation and social club), 25 miles of paved and unpaved hiking, bicycle, and vehicle trails that will link Somersett Park East and Somersett Park West and six pocket parks, natural open spaces and community landscaping, a fire station and an incomparable selection of new home neighborhoods and custom home sites. Services being provided by Manhard Consulting, Ltd. for this project include construction management, surveying, land planning, permitting assistance, and engineering services, including hydrologic and hydraulic modeling analyses, ecological services and wetland design, and roadway design for this project.

Manhard’s planning staff was added to the team once the development agreement was completed. Guided by the tolerances allowed in the existing development agreement, our planning staff worked closely with the client and the City of Reno to re-plan four of the six villages. This approved land plan maximizes views to the golf course and surrounding mountain ranges while meeting the infrastructure requirements of the community. During the development stage, the City of Reno adopted new and restrictive regulations regarding development on steep slopes. Although the Somersett development was not bound by these new regulations, the new land plans are sensitive to the intent of the regulations and development on steeper slopes. The goal of the developer was to create a sense-of-place that would carry throughout the entire development while maintaining the density required to create a sustainableengineered design that would meet the goals the community.

Detailed hydrologic and hydraulic analyses were completed for both existing and proposed conditions for the entire development. The modeling analyses included the design of approximately 15 detention and retention structures, some of which required a Safe Dams permit from the State of Nevada.

To offset the impacts that occurred to the drainages during construction of the development and golf course, approximately 0.53 acres of wetland were created, 1.10 acres of wetland were enhanced, 26,250 linear feet of riparian zone was enhanced with upland species, and 7,650 linear feet of riparian zone was enhanced with wetland species. All creation and enhancement areas will be monitored for a period of five years.

Manhard is providing subdivision designs, both preliminary and final, for five subdivisions at Somersett, ranging from attached housing to single-family custom estate lots. The engineering designs include roadway and utility design, complex grading, hydrology, and erosion control. In addition, Manhard is designing a golf maintenance facility, a fire station, park and golf clubhouse. Extensive earthwork calculations have been performed on all areas to aid in achieving a dirt balance during design and to assist construction managers during construction.

Approximately 4,500 feet of the major roadway, Somersett Parkway, was designed by Manhard. The design included a major 12-foot by 12-foot undercrossing for pedestrians and wildlife, two eight by eight box culverts for drainage and wildlife, a traffic-calming roundabout, and all associated grading, utilities, and drainage. Coordination of construction traffic, existing residents and the curiosity of the general public is a constant challenge.

One of Manhard’s primary duties on the Somersett development is assisting the developer in managing the construction of the site. This presents challenges due to the extreme topography, climate, poor soils and accelerated development schedule. To date, Manhard’s construction management division has worked closely with the contractors onsite to shorten the development schedule and meet the increased demand for completed villages.

Manhard construction managers are onsite to assist crews with any unforeseen obstacles that may occur. The construction managers track progress, keep the jobs on schedule, and mitigate any extra construction costs that may be incurred by the contractor and the developer. As the construction of each project nears completion, the construction managers coordinate the necessary inspections for final acceptance by the City of Reno.

The Timbers at the Pinery is the perfect, secluded setting for uniquely designed, one of a kind, luxurious custom homes. Conveniently located yet secluded, the community is nestled among native trees and gently rolling hills. With the Rocky Mountains and Denver to the Northwest, Pikes Peak and Garden of the God’s to the south, there are many opportunities to enjoy the Colorado lifestyle.

In 1972, the original Master Planned Development for the project consisted of 1,695 acres and was zoned for 2,736 units. However, after several major and minor amendments throughout the years, along with several ownership changes, and boundary revisions, a new vision for the property was finally realized in 1994. The fifth PD amendment was finalized consisting of 771 units on 960 acres. This was the birth of this exclusive custom lot community featuring custom homes ranging from $1-$5 million dollars situated on 1/3 acre to 1-1/2 acre lots located outside of Parker, Douglas County, Colorado.

This project has been a true team effort for the Greenwood Village office. All have played an integral role in providing engineering, surveying, and construction support for the final six filings over the last seven years. The final two filings have been entitled and are currently in the construction process.

The Timbers was not a typical subdivision design and the project team had to address many unique aspects and requirements over the years in order ensure the natural beauty of the area was preserved, including:

• Topograhical challenges presented by Colorado’s unique terrain
• Roads designed around 100-year-old Ponderosa Pines to maintain the natural aesthetic of the area
• Detention designed as a landform to fit in with the natural surroundings
• Drainage conveyed through existing armored natural drainage way

Manhard Consulting was hired by Land Tejas Companies to provide civil engineering and surveying services for the design of a 350-acre single family master planned community. Sierra Vista, located in Brazoria County MUD No. 32, kicked off with the first phase of work consisting of two single family sections, one major thoroughfare and one detention project together totaling 83 acres with 211 lots.

During construction, Hurricane Harvey ripped through the Houston area causing major delays in production schedules. With that came a higher demand from the client and an accelerated schedule for completion.

Manhard Consulting was retained to provide civil engineering and surveying services for this 32-acre multi-family development consisting of 15 two-story walkups, 20-unit multifamily buildings along with a clubhouse and pool and a 2.6-acre future commercial development area.

The site had unique challenges due to its zoning classification and multiple failed previous developments related to the property setting forth off-site highway improvement requirements for the property.  Our team was able to work with the client, Village, and KCDOT to come up with economical solutions related to the off-site highway improvement requirements that allowed for the project to continue both on-budget and per the original construction timeline outlined by the client.