The Boulders Subdivision: Cost-Conscious Civil Engineering in Mountain Terrain.
Reducing road widths, eliminating a detention pond, and redesigning the water system saved meaningful cost on a steep mountain subdivision while keeping the project moving through county review.
The Challenge
Located in steep, rocky terrain, this residential subdivision posed design and cost challenges from the start. When Land Pro Civil was brought in, initial plans — prepared by a previous engineer — featured overly wide roads, extensive detention infrastructure, and a water system layout that would have resulted in high construction costs.
The developer needed a more efficient, cost-effective approach that could still meet county standards and maintain project momentum.
Land Pro Civil's Targeted Solutions
We thoroughly reviewed applicable county roadway standards and found that the proposed road widths exceeded the minimum requirements. After confirming with county staff, we reduced the road widths accordingly. This not only saved on grading and paving costs but also reduced impervious surface area, directly contributing to reduced stormwater detention needs.
The original design included two large detention ponds with significant excavation, hauling, and retaining walls. By shifting to a decentralized strategy using individual lot detention where feasible, we were able to eliminate one of the ponds entirely. The remaining pond was resized, further reducing sitework and materials.
We re-engineered the water system layout to reduce material and installation costs and redesigned the proposed pump station and water storage tank for improved efficiency and cost savings, all while maintaining service reliability and meeting agency standards.
Our direct communication with county staff and code-backed design revisions led to a more efficient approval process, with fewer revisions and faster turnaround.
The Outcome
Narrower roads, fewer detention structures, and a simplified water system significantly lowered site development expenses.
Eliminating one detention pond and reducing road widths led to less grading and earthwork in the mountainous terrain.
Collaborative engagement with county reviewers and clearly justified design changes helped streamline the review process.