Colorado Real Estate Journal - September 2, 2015
Leyden Rock, an out standing residential community in Arvada, - distinguishes itself through a strong integration of its natural environment. Mesa tops offer dramatic vistas of the Flatirons and the Front Range foothills. The confluence of Leyden Creek and Barbara Gulch creates a natural gateway to the community. With attention to sustainability and ecological conservation throughout, Consilium Design’s master plan for Leyden Rock offers residents the convenience of modern life in balance with a profound experience of nature. Careful site analysis is key to successful community design. The following critical elements were identified in the analysis of Leyden Rock: • Slope: Ridgelines and steep slopes were mapped for preservation along Leyden Road, Barbara Gulch and other open spaces within the community. • Drainage: Drainage patterns and opportunities for water quality and storm-water management improvements were identified. • Floodplain and wetlands: Floodplain and wetlands along Barbara Gulch were identified and opportunities for low-impact crossings of roads and utilities were assessed. • Wildlife corridors: Barbara Gulch was identified as an opportunity to preserve wildlife habitat and connectivity across the site. View sheds were identified to downtown Denver, Leyden Creek, Barbara Gulch, the foothills, history and culture, the town of Leyden and mining history, Smith and Rodgers ranches and cycling on Leyden Road. The Leyden Rock master plan used low-impact neighborhood design to reduce the overall development footprint and increase open space preservation. The result is a community that achieves more than twice the density of traditional low-density residential development while preserving three times as much open space. Objectives in low-impact design included: • Locate open space to benefit both residents of the proposed development and adjoining development and public spaces and accessible to the greater public. • Consolidate open space into larger areas to preserve native plant associations and wildlife habitat while simplifying maintenance. • Maintain the rural appeal and view corridor along Leyden Road by preserving the native landscape and existing landforms to the maximum extent feasible. • Utilize drought- and cold-tolerant native and naturalizing plant materials in open spaces and parks to reflect the natural character of the land. • Existing vegetation has been preserved at undisturbed slopes and common open spaces throughout most of the 600 acres of community open space. • Areas disturbed for the community entries, roadways and water quality/storm-water management improvements have been restored and enhanced with native plant materials that will further enhance wildlife habitat and overall ecological diversity. • Ridge lines along the top of slopes have been preserved by carefully locating and grading homesites along these edges to avoid excess fill and impacts on existing vegetation. Homesites are generally set back 450 to 600 feet or more and are 100 feet to 125 feet higher in elevation than Leyden Road. • Usable rear yard areas (generally 20 feet deep or greater) are planned for all lots, particularly those that abut open spaces. • Minimizing fills at lots abutting opens space and providing gentle grades whenever feasible (12 percent or less) for rear yards. • View corridors from within neighborhoods provide visual and physical access to surrounding open spaces. • Open rail fencing is used on land adjacent to open space to maximize the rural appearance of the land and soften the line between public and private space. • Stockpile topsoil and use for re-vegetation of disturbed spaces. • Implement temporary irrigation in high-visibility areas to improve germination and reestablishment of native grasses. • Facilitate and encourage the continuation of a wildlife corridor through the Barbara Gulch Open Space. To create a memorable community image at Leyden Rock, the design process began with the end in mind. The theme for Leyden Rock derives from the history of the site and the ranching heritage of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West. The concept and palette of metal, stone, timber beams and open-rail fence styles are a constant theme carried out throughout the community and reflect the history and heritage of Leyden Rock and Colorado Ranches. • Community identity monuments, inspired by the Monjeau Lookout in New Mexico, are designed to be signature landmarks in scale with the panoramic open space setting. • The jack fence, a historic Colorado fencing style, evokes a ranching image at community entries. • Neighborhood entries and local streets are aligned for views to parks. • Open space is the focus of park design. • Highly improved neighborhood parks are the visual focal point and center of activity, embedded within the neighborhoods and designed to contribute to community character and unique identity for each neighborhood: Lookout Park • A monumental tower serves as a community landmark that can be seen from surrounding neighborhoods. • The community clubhouse and pool are a center of activity. • The park is the centerpiece of a more formal neighborhood setting. Daybreak Park • Relaxed, casual form to park and surrounding streets • Views east down drainage way open space and west to Lookout Park neighborhood West Ridge Park • Natural open space design character within a larger open space setting • Picnic shelter set as a focal point for arrival from Leyden Road and panoramic views. • Minimize irrigated turf area By integrating nature into every aspect of the master plan process, Consilium Design created a vibrant, dynamic community at Leyden Rock that will endure for generations.