The McCormick Ranch Landscape Master Plan was approved by the City of Scottsdale in 2016 and serves as the basis of the scope of work for the Board of Director Landscape Improvement Projects. There are three projects currently underway or slated to be started soon. Construction on one project started in 2017, with construction continuing on new projects through the fall of 2019. The planned landscape improvements will create a continuance of the long standing success that McCormick Ranch has enjoyed. See project timelines and information for each project below.
Complete plans for these projects are available for viewing at the Association Office located at 9248 N 94th Street. Members of the Association wishing to view the complete set of approved plans should contact the Association office at admin@mrpoa.com, to make an appointment for viewing, or call 480-860-1122 ext. 200.
Lake Margherite Tree Succession:
- Landscape Committee approval: July 27, 2018
- Community Meeting: August 22, 2018
- Board of Directors approval: September 26, 2018
- Demolition: October – December 2018
- Estimated completion: January 2019
Details
The project includes removing 25 trees and replacing them with 56 new trees including 13 Hong Kong Orchids, 5 Fan Palms, 3 Purple-Leaf Plum and 35 Southern Live Oak. This project is part of the tree succession plan to replace trees designated “high risk” within McCormick Ranch common area, which includes the large Cottonwood trees along the lake edge, near Via de Ventura. The trees have been designated by a licensed and certified Arborist as “high risk” due to their age, species, current health condition and the constant presence of pedestrians and fishermen who congregate beneath the trees. The Board of Directors could not disregard the “high risk” designation and allow the trees to remain in place with the hope that an adverse accident would not occur. Additionally, the proximity of the lake edge to Via de Ventura Road, which will be re-landscaped, presented the perfect opportunity to include this area into the Via de Ventura Project (see below) in order to achieve a uniformity and continuance of what will be a spectacular improvement. The decision to remove mature trees is NEVER taken lightly by the Board of Directors. In addition to the aesthetics, shade and habitats that these trees provide, they also represent a large investment. MRPOA trees are regularly pruned, maintained, fertilized and otherwise cared for at a level that exceeds other associations and municipalities. However, when these tree become a risk, which sometimes occurs in an urban setting such as McCormick Ranch, steps must be taken to protect human life. The new trees will increase the shade coverage in the area by at least 50%, adding to the enjoyment of Lake Margherite.
Via de Ventura Median and Signage:
- Landscape Committee approval: July 27, 2018
- Community Meeting: August 22, 2018
- Board of Directors approval: September 26, 2018
- Demolition: October – December 2018
- Estimated completion: January 2020
Details
Through the planning process, community consensus was reached for the update of the streetscape by modernizing design elements and using more water‐conscious plant materials. The theme calls for a “Desert Oasis” palette of materials based on the existing community character, together with a significant reduction of turf grass in the medians to reduce the amount of irrigation water use and maintenance. These landscape improvements will include McCormick Ranch properties and City of Scottsdale (COS) medians for the entire length of Via de Ventura from Eastwood Road to Pima Road. The purpose of these street frontage enhancements is to collectively reduce the amount of turf for water savings while increasing the new street character along the edges of Via de Ventura. The landscape improvements for the major arterial will follow the design approach approved within the McCormick Ranch Landscape Master Plan. The enhanced rights‐of‐way landscape along the street edges of Via de Ventura will both complement and reinforce the new median landscape character while unifying the community “feel” along the length of the road. In keeping with the aesthetic tradition of McCormick Ranch, the landscape improvements will feature a “grove” of densely planted 48” box and 36” box Joan Lionetti Oak trees (Quercus fusiformis ‘Joan Lionetti’). This variety of Oak tree was selected as it is a faster grower than the other Oak Trees. The Joan Lionetti Oak Tree has an upright form with a straight trunk and a dense, symmetrical canopy. These features, along with the tree’s vertical stature, make it an ideal choice for the streetscape settings. Its leathery, dark green leaves are soft and fuzzy underneath, and although the tree is evergreen through even our coldest winters, Joan Lionetti live oak will briefly shed older leaves in spring to make room for fresh foliage. The mature size of the Oak trees is 20’‐30’ in height and width. The grove of Oak Trees will create an attractive appearance along the street. The groves of the Joan Lionetti Oak trees will be the prominent feature throughout the Via de Ventura streetscape. Other trees that will complement the design are 36” box Chase Trees (Vitex Angus‐Castus), Red Push Pistache (Pistache x Red Push), and Mulga (Acacia Aneura). These trees are selected to provide additional seasonal color and help accentuate the dark green Oak Tree Grove.
A new entry monument will be included in the improvements. The new monument will replace the existing entry monument located on the southwest corner of Via de Ventura and Eastwood Road. The new entry monument will include a primary and secondary sign, enhanced landscape areas (matching the character of the Via de Ventura Landscape improvements) and accent lighting. The materials and layout of the sign will be guided by the approved Master Plan. The viewing angle of the primary sign will be focused on southbound vehicular traffic on Via de Ventura. The viewing angle of the secondary sign will be focused on northbound vehicular traffic on Via de Ventura that is turning west onto Eastwood Road. The project will remove both the existing trees and turf (approximately 62,545 SF) within the medians along Via de Ventura from Pima to Eastwood Road. It is anticipated that the replacement of the existing materials with those proposed here will save approximately 8‐10 million gallons of irrigation water per year.
Arabian Trail Remodel:
- Landscape Committee approval: August 7, 2017
- Arabian Trail Landscape Project Community Meeting: August 31, 2017. Complete plan presentation and discussion with residents from the area.
- Board of Directors approval: September 27, 2017
- Demolition: December 2017
- Estimated completion: Spring 2019
For any construction emergencies or complaints, including noise or debris issues, please call or send a text message to 602-757-2066 or email admin@mrpoa.com.
Click on the images below to see sketches of the project.
