Stonetree Golf Links Development
Novato, CA

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Client:  Black Point Partnership – Spieker Properties

The upscale 238­acre Stonetree development consists of a championship18­hole golf course, 53 single­family residential sites and a large wildlife preserve. 

Miller Pacific provided a wide range of geotechnical services. Our initial geologic studies included feasibility for the development a   complex   site   encompassing   an abandoned   quarry,   steep   wooded   hillsides and   a  reclaimed marshland. MPEG provided monitoring and testing throughout construction of the subdivision,  

Our initial site development recommendations addressed quarry closure grading, adequate surface drainage and erosion protection. Since the main access road crossed both former marshland and firm ground, the design of the
initial grading was critical for stability, reducing settlement to maintain adequate long term slopes for surface drainage and underground utilities. In the steep woodlands our investigation guided the location of the roadways, identified suitable residential sites, and prescribed remedial work for adequate slope stability.

In the golf links area, detailed analyses were critical for the design of ponds and screening berms in the reclaimed marshland area. Interrelated settlement and stability analyses were conducted to provide the guidelines to ensure that the composite berm/pond slopes remained stable for the variable berms heights and pond excavation conditions

Rush Creek
Marin County, CA

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Client: Brookfield Homes
Architect: Dahlin Group

A major challenge and condition of approval at the Rush Creek development was how to stabilize landslides without removing mature native oak trees.  The solution was to use natural looking configurations of unreinforced
and reinforced earth slopes customized to work around the existing trees. 

Within the 89 lot, hillside subdivision, other geotechnical issues included; the presence of the Burdell Mountain fault, abundant shallow groundwater flow, localized expansive soils, and building pads that span from rock cut to
fill.  These issues were mitigated with a variety of methods; establishing a workable setback distance from the fault, constructing subdrains at predetermined locations, modifying shallow foundations to suit the differential conditions on each individual lot. 


Our   services   included   a  geologic  and geotechnical   investigation  for  the  overall planning   and  design  of  the subdivision and detailed recommendations for the landslide stabilization areas. We provided   geotechnical
consultation during design and reviewed the improvement plans.  During construction we provided geotechnical observation and testing of the grading, construction of the subdivision improvements and building foundations.

Bulkley Avenue Mansion
Sausalito, CA

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Architect: Bob Davis, Steve Wisenbaker AIA Associates
Architect: Ravi Anand, Anand Associates 

This   spectacular   mansion   occupies   a   very   steep slope   that  remained   after   a massive landslide in 1982. After torrential rains, a 14 foot deep landslide demolished two homes and seriously impaired three adjacent properties. For the initial stabilization the
entire landslide was excavated and horizontal drains installed.

After   a   nine   year   hiatus,   the   mansion   was redesigned,   enlarged   and   construction restarted. The new construction included new foundation piers and   tie­backs, reconfiguration of   the   existing horizontal   drains, and   extensive   crawl   space drainage. A deck was added, a 20 meter long lap pool down slope   from   the   house, and slope stabilization landscaping features.


In   1985,   after   detailed   geotechnical   analysis   and design   development,   site   stabilization   and foundation construction was started for the mansion. The foundations   consisted of continuous grade beams supported on concrete piers drilled 15 feet into bedrock and laterally restrained with rock anchors. Eleven horizontal drains were installed extending   beneath Bulkley Avenue. Construction was halted while property ownership issues were resolved.