Meeting with MCO Properties and Swaback Partners
October 14, 2011
We are all very interested in the future of Suncrest and it sounds as if we’d be in good hands with MCO Properties and Swaback Partners. Both companies presented their proposals for the future of Suncrest, stating the following:
Jeremy Hall of MCO Properties gave us some background on the history of MCO…in business since the 60’s and evolved by the mid-70’s, paying attention to the environment and natural topography. They specialize in hillside development and were not surprised to hear of the issues surrounding Suncrest as they collaborated with Layne Long of Draper City. There’s simply too much density. They found Suncrest four years ago prior to bankruptcy and Zions taking it over. They recognized how special the land is and all it has to offer (Draper has some of the best mountain biking trails, road cycling, equestrian center), thus, their diligent studies of Suncrest and surrounding areas. MCO Properties, along with Swaback Partners, wants to make a unique plan for Draper, understanding the history of Draper and the simplicity of the natural beauty. We are about a theme/brand that echoes the concept of Draper City, embracing the natural beauty and preserving the natural fauna.
Vernon Swaback of Swaback Partners informed us of their involvement with Promontory and Glenwilde, maintaining relationships to vistas and the existing wildlife corridor. Mr. Swaback quoted Frank Lloyd Wright, “Invest wisely in beauty – it will serve you all the days of your life.” He has always believed in the truth of that quote and aims to reflect such through their work. We then heard from Jeffrey Denzak (I was not able to verify his name), but, he, too, is with Swaback Partners and finished the meeting with the following:
As a partner at Swaback, it’s always been clear that the company is very strategic to not become too big, as we are very concerned about quality and maintaining senior level involvement. I was captivated by Mr. Swaback’s work and dedication and was drawn to his firm. We have as part of our team architects, landscape architects, planners, urban/interior/graphic designers. We understand that it’s not about one big idea, it’s about doing 1,000 things really well over time, being sensitive with the land. We are a legacy developer, committed long term and interested in raising the bar. It is important to us to have re-vegetation and restoration in place to preserve the topography and to avoid slope failure and erosion.
A model for development must exist to be sustainable. We define a road, identify a lot and determine where a development envelope exists. We’re proposing an area of development with ¾ acre to 5 acre lots, limiting disturbance to the land. The majority of the land on the bigger lots would become part of an easement so as to maintain the wildlife corridor and create minimal disturbance to the land. He noted that our current design guidelines are actually fairly good; they just haven’t been adhered to. We have spent a lot of time studying the land and understand that we must have a sensitive strategy of a structure that can be built on any given lot based on its slope (0-10%, 10-20%, etc.) We think an authentic theme for the architecture of this community (agrarian/mining) in keeping with Draper’s history will preserve the quality and character of the community. Functionality and safety are also important. At the outset of a project, we develop a mission statement including core principles and are sure to maintain such throughout the project. We intend to have future development mesh with the existing community; finishing planned parks; incorporating other projects to enhance existing Village Center. We’d also be considering current issues, such as parking at the Community Center, bus stop, etc. We’ve identified that buyers want preserved open space and understand the importance of the trail system that exists. Also thinking about winter recreation; a farmstead area (stables, equestrian center).
Both companies presented maps of the community as well as pictures of various projects in the southwest with which they’ve been involved. I was not able to stay until the end, but certainly felt as if both companies had done their due diligence and would not be presenting such proposals if they weren’t close to making a purchase. Hopefully we will be receiving news of such in the very near future. Sure sounds as if it would be a win, win for Suncrest and all of us as residents. Here’s hoping…
All the best to you and yours,
Paula Roth
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
SunCrest OA meeting recap of MCO
Dear SunCrest Homeowners,
Thank you for attending the MCO presentation last Friday, October 14. For those who were unable to attend, please see the meeting notes below.
After some opening remarks and an introduction by the Mayor, the meeting was conducted by Jeremy Hall, president of MCO Properties; Vernon Swaback, principal of Swaback Partners; and Jeff Denzak, senior land planner of Swaback Partners. We estimated over a hundred people in attendance, and based upon a show of hands, SunCrest residents accounted for about three-fourths of attendees. Mayor Smith, Councilmen Rappleye and Stenquist, city manager Layne Long and CCMC management from SunCrest and Daybreak were also in attendance.
Jeremy Hall opened with some history of the company and the company’s expertise in developing on hillsides. He described his approach to the future of SunCrest by working more sensitively with the natural topography, preserving natural vegetation and slopes as much as possible and shifting the focus to larger natural lots. He introduced their land planner, Swaback Partners, who discussed sophisticated land planning techniques and various product types all with a new consistent theme that will echo the small-town charm of Draper and the pioneering/agrarian/mining history of the area. They discussed building techniques and styles they will avoid and demonstrated examples of how to build on hillsides that is sensitive to the natural terrain.
They are re-planning the undeveloped land and reducing the overall density as compared to the original land plan. There will be more natural open space including natural areas preserved on large lots. Amenities will be largely focused on the natural environment with preserving views, maintaining hiking and biking trails and possibly including horseback riding and a second club amenity for the property east of SunCrest Drive.
Meeting Notables:
v Lower overall residential units planned for the development as compared to the original land plan.
v More large natural lots and preservation of natural areas.
v MCO will complete Falcon Park.
v Development of new neighborhoods would likely not start right away due to the economy. The project will be phased; however, the market will determine where and when MCO begins construction.
v Select areas of grading for higher-density housing will be limited to where the natural topography is suited to it.
v MCO will be working on redefining and repositioning SunCrest’s brand and starting a marketing and public relations campaign. This will be important in repositioning SunCrest for future growth and development.
v Due diligence needs to be finalized including finalizing the new land plan with Draper City. MCO has been working closely with city staff and is hopeful this will be complete in the next few months.
The meeting lasted about 3 hours and Mr. Hall, Mr. Swaback and Mr. Denzak stayed until the last resident left to answer all questions. All in all, the meeting went very well, and the reaction was very positive.
About MCO
Established in 1978, MCO Properties Inc. (“MCO”) is an entrepreneurial, land-development company specializing in large mixed-use and affluent residential custom home site communities in the southwestern United States. MCO has been known for many years as the master developer of the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona – a 12,000 acre community with a population of over 22,000. Headquartered in Fountain Hills, the company has owned and developed resort, golf, residential and commercial properties in Arizona, California, Texas, Arkansas, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado. MCO will soon be adding Utah to this list. Click here to learn more about MCO Properties.
About Swaback Partners
The three founding partners direct the work of the 25 person firm. They collaborate daily on everything in the office with each partner being responsible for the design and overall management of their respective work including engagements for both architecture and planning. The partners' shared philosophy is that design never stops. At some point almost everyone in the firm is involved in the process of refining the concept. Thus, the partners, associates, and staff are all designers just as they are all focused on the strategies and details required to carry out the integrity of the concept. Click here to learn more about Swaback Partners.
Communication for SunCrest residents will continue to take place through the SunCrest OA. Please stay tuned to your email for upcoming updates and announcements.
Kind Regards,
SunCrest OA
Thank you for attending the MCO presentation last Friday, October 14. For those who were unable to attend, please see the meeting notes below.
After some opening remarks and an introduction by the Mayor, the meeting was conducted by Jeremy Hall, president of MCO Properties; Vernon Swaback, principal of Swaback Partners; and Jeff Denzak, senior land planner of Swaback Partners. We estimated over a hundred people in attendance, and based upon a show of hands, SunCrest residents accounted for about three-fourths of attendees. Mayor Smith, Councilmen Rappleye and Stenquist, city manager Layne Long and CCMC management from SunCrest and Daybreak were also in attendance.
Jeremy Hall opened with some history of the company and the company’s expertise in developing on hillsides. He described his approach to the future of SunCrest by working more sensitively with the natural topography, preserving natural vegetation and slopes as much as possible and shifting the focus to larger natural lots. He introduced their land planner, Swaback Partners, who discussed sophisticated land planning techniques and various product types all with a new consistent theme that will echo the small-town charm of Draper and the pioneering/agrarian/mining history of the area. They discussed building techniques and styles they will avoid and demonstrated examples of how to build on hillsides that is sensitive to the natural terrain.
They are re-planning the undeveloped land and reducing the overall density as compared to the original land plan. There will be more natural open space including natural areas preserved on large lots. Amenities will be largely focused on the natural environment with preserving views, maintaining hiking and biking trails and possibly including horseback riding and a second club amenity for the property east of SunCrest Drive.
Meeting Notables:
v Lower overall residential units planned for the development as compared to the original land plan.
v More large natural lots and preservation of natural areas.
v MCO will complete Falcon Park.
v Development of new neighborhoods would likely not start right away due to the economy. The project will be phased; however, the market will determine where and when MCO begins construction.
v Select areas of grading for higher-density housing will be limited to where the natural topography is suited to it.
v MCO will be working on redefining and repositioning SunCrest’s brand and starting a marketing and public relations campaign. This will be important in repositioning SunCrest for future growth and development.
v Due diligence needs to be finalized including finalizing the new land plan with Draper City. MCO has been working closely with city staff and is hopeful this will be complete in the next few months.
The meeting lasted about 3 hours and Mr. Hall, Mr. Swaback and Mr. Denzak stayed until the last resident left to answer all questions. All in all, the meeting went very well, and the reaction was very positive.
About MCO
Established in 1978, MCO Properties Inc. (“MCO”) is an entrepreneurial, land-development company specializing in large mixed-use and affluent residential custom home site communities in the southwestern United States. MCO has been known for many years as the master developer of the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona – a 12,000 acre community with a population of over 22,000. Headquartered in Fountain Hills, the company has owned and developed resort, golf, residential and commercial properties in Arizona, California, Texas, Arkansas, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado. MCO will soon be adding Utah to this list. Click here to learn more about MCO Properties.
About Swaback Partners
The three founding partners direct the work of the 25 person firm. They collaborate daily on everything in the office with each partner being responsible for the design and overall management of their respective work including engagements for both architecture and planning. The partners' shared philosophy is that design never stops. At some point almost everyone in the firm is involved in the process of refining the concept. Thus, the partners, associates, and staff are all designers just as they are all focused on the strategies and details required to carry out the integrity of the concept. Click here to learn more about Swaback Partners.
Communication for SunCrest residents will continue to take place through the SunCrest OA. Please stay tuned to your email for upcoming updates and announcements.
Kind Regards,
SunCrest OA
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Presentation from MCO
Please join MCO Properties on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 5:30 pm for a presentation detailing their proposal for the SunCrest development.
The presentation will be held at Draper City Hall Council Chambers. Representatives from MCO will be on hand to present, explain and answer questions of in regards to their vision.
The presentation will be held at Draper City Hall Council Chambers. Representatives from MCO will be on hand to present, explain and answer questions of in regards to their vision.
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