Auburn Lakes, a project developed by Mike Vitale and Jack Bass and designed and submitted by Cawrse and Associates of Chagrin Falls (OH), emerged as the first 2006 Visionary Project Award winner from a group of six finalists at the Land Development Breakthroughs conference held in Chicago this past July.

From the creation of the appropriate zoning ordinance, to the preservation of natural resources, to the creation of many new site amenities, the vision of Auburn Lakes, located in Geagua County (OH), about 23 miles east of Cleveland, set the benchmark for open space living in northeast Ohio.

Auburn Lakes is a master-planned condominium community nestled into former farmland and wooded areas of northeast Ohio. The site plan centered around the creation of multiple lakes, up to 13 acres in size, while carefully siting dwelling units in areas of protected trees and newly created lakes.
Cawrse (pronounced “course”) and Associates, a landscape architectural and land planning firm, were involved with the community since its inception in the 1980s. In fact, they were instrumental in creating the initial zoning ordinance that enabled this type of development to be created. A plan allowing open space development did not exist in Auburn Township.

The new ordinance, a Planned Unit Development (PUD) which allowed the clustering of single family attached dwelling units, thereby preserving open space and natural site features, was written by landscape architects, building architects, civil engineers and the township administration. This document permitted the departure from large-lot zoning, which would not have guaranteed the preservation of the site’s features and natural amenities.

Craig Cawrse, ASLA, was actively involved in writing the ordinance and handled all public presentations at the public hearings that were held prior to the PUD zoning adoption. The 185-acre site, originally consisted of rolling farmland, wetlands, and scattered stands of hardwood trees. The final master plan preserved 121 acres of permanent open space, while allowing 369 residential units to be constructed.

Site Features
On a site that had a gradual elevation change of as much as 80 feet, the design needed to maximize the natural features while accommodating the basic needs of a development. In addition, a challenge at the time was to make sure that the development could attract home buyers to this very rural location.

The strategy was to attract recreational and outdoor-oriented buyers.

To accomplish this, the design plan created a focal point around water. An 11-acre man-made lake was the primary feature along with another 12 artificial lakes throughout the site. These water structures served to meet stormwater management requirements. In addition, fountains and other amenities were included to allow them to combine function and beauty.

All residential units were oriented and clustered around the lakes or secluded by the woods. Several miles of paved hiking trails, a pool, tennis courts, a beach, as well as a chipping and putting green were included for residents.

The Results
Auburn Lakes took the overall density of two units per acre, and clustered the residences to reduce infrastructure, save open space and woodland. When designed, tt was one of the first cluster developments to reduce impact to the environment, i.e., wetlands, woodlands and other natural resources.

The development is a perfect example of how the preservation of open space and trees, coupled with the creation of lakes and wetlands, can create a virtual Eden in what otherwise would have been just another standard large-lot subdivision. In fact, construction on the property included extensive land sculpting and included a large quantity of trees to be relocated to help diminish the difference between the former farmland and the wooded area. Cawrse provided strict guidelines for the use of a tree spade to minimize damage and loss of existing trees during the relocation process.

Auburn Lakes, which is now governed by a neighborhood association that oversees day-to-day operations and enforces community covenants, also has its own water plant and storage facility. And, 25 years after the process for this development was initiated, the design and integrity of the sustainable features remain a testament to the developers and the design team that was led by Cawrse and Associates.

The Land Development Today Visionary Award is not Auburn Lakes’ first award. It also earned recognition from the Geauga County Soil and Water Conservation District for preservation of vegetation and the extensive reduction of stormwater runoff and soil erosion. SLDT