This exclusive single-family gated community consists of 387 homes, man-made lakes, and equestrian trails located near Rancho Santa Fe and Lake Hodges in San Diego. Residential lot sizes range from 8,000 SF to approximately two acres, with view corridors and privacy at a premium. Grading operations consisted of nearly four million cubic yards in earthwork. H&A created yield studies and various lot configurations to increase lot values while balancing the on-site earthwork.
The development created hundreds of acres of open space, wetland areas, and a trail system encompassing six man-made lakes with streams integrated into the surrounding trail system. Pumps were installed at the lake levels to pump water up to the top of the streams for continuous flow. Many bridges and landscape features were included to enhance the lake and stream viewing corridors. Three waterfalls connect four of the lakes and can be seen as you approach the development. Equestrian trails were created to link to the preserved wetland areas.
The project was designed in six phases of improvement plans, grading plans, and final maps. 66 phases of precise grading plans and sales exhibits were prepared.
Project Challenge and Solution
The topography included hundreds of feet of elevation difference, resulting in the need for four water pressure reducing stations and one recycled water pressure reducing station. These pressure reducing stations provided adequate water pressures to the homes at various pad elevations. The property had previously been a lemon orchard that used a natural spring lake for irrigation. Getting accurate topography was challenging due to the existing root structures and areas that were underwater.
