Developing communities that serve all

The landscape of our communities is carved by the homes, businesses, roads and green spaces that support our day-to-day activities and wellbeing. Developing it all takes understanding the needs of the people these structures will serve, but it’s also so much more.

“We look at each project differently,” said Michael J. Domitrovich, Creative Land Innovations urban planner, principal and co-founder. “We start with being good stewards of the land, but then combine that with functionality, creativity and visual appeal while serving all involved; from landowners to the end-users.”

Creative Land Innovations is a land planning and full-service civil engineering firm specializing in municipal and private projects, including 55-and-up communities and urban developments. The partners at CLI work with both private and government entities, understanding the needs of both the client and the city and addressing those needs through each project from start to finish. Perhaps the team’s biggest attribute is the value they place on these relationships.

“At the end of the day ‘people hire people,’” said Austin Peterson, CLI principal, managing partner and co-founder. “We get a lot of our work through previous work we’ve completed and how we’ve treated and valued our clients.”

One of their current projects is with R & H Properties, owner of a large tract of land in Hawley, MN that is being platted and developed into single-family homes. R & H contracted CLI to provide land planning, consulting and engineering services throughout the project. Without CLI, the owner would be responsible for developing their own land and understanding all of the options available to them. CLI keeps the landowner informed and involved during every phase of the project and represents them during discussions, such as city meetings, while understanding the needs of the city.

“We wish we would have partnered with CLI sooner! The experience and expertise they have brought to the table has been phenomenal,” said Dan Noreen, R & H Properties owner. “Because of them, I believe the last phases of our development will be much more successful and good for the future of our community. And to top it off, they are fun people to work with!”

The team strives to stay in tune with the needs of those involved on the backend of projects, but they’re also focused on creating something that serves the people who will be using the spaces today and beyond.

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“We use innovative designs that help lower specials for homeowners, making buying a home accessible to more people,” Domitrovich said. “Our urban designs blend visual appeal, affordability and functionality. But we also want to create something other than the ‘cookie-cutter’ neighborhoods.”

Stevan Dewald, P.E. CLI civil engineer and partner, leads the team in designing smart and affordable neighborhoods that allow residents to not just live in these areas, but to experience them. Whether it’s open green spaces, neighborhood trail systems, landscaping and water features, gazebos or picnic areas, designing for the community is top of mind.

Bronson Mathiason—director of design and construction for CLI and managing partner of Horizon Homes, a Fargo-Moorhead homebuilder—works to construct homes that are specific to the neighborhoods the CLI team designs. CLI also focuses on enhancing convenience and accessibility with minimal through-streets in neighborhoods, adequate places for snow storage, sidewalks as connection points and ease of access to schools. Fifty-and-up neigh- borhoods are also designed to give residents access to often-visited locations in the community, including clinics, grocery stores and places where they can connect and stay active.

“By creating smaller pockets of 10 to 15 homes we help promote that feeling of community,” Domitrovich said.

Being good stewards of the land is also one of the company’s guiding principles.

“Because the earth was here first, we design with nature,” he added. From topography and ground cover to landscaping and parks the team balances open spaces and buildings, but also, water to help protect property, reduce demand on stormwater drainage systems, and protect the environment.

Having all the right resources, from planning to engineering, under “one roof” ensures the team is equipped with the knowledge and experience required to carry out successful projects that honor the clients and the land. It also allows the team to work seamlessly to provide all the services and guidance clients need from start to finish.

“Our team really works to do right by the environment and everyone involved,” Peterson said. “We want to ensure the whole experience is streamlined and serves our communities today, tomorrow and beyond.”

For information regarding CLI services or planned developments please contact the team at Info@plan4cli.com or 701-356-3113.

CURRENT PROJECT HIGHLIGHT

Seter Groves is a 55-and-up community of 10 single-family homes that will be located in a quiet cul de sac in Glyndon, MN. CLI designed the cul de sac to feature creative use of the open space that is traditionally concrete from curb to curb. A streetscape of trees and signage will be the centerpiece of the space, greeting homeowners and visitors as they arrive. In addition, a street light system enhances safety in the neighborhood and en- with all entities make him an asset to every CLI project.

JOHN MEYER, PHD - DEVELOPMENT & FINANCIAL ADVISOR,

PARTNER, PRINCIPAL

Meyer helps CLI and landowners secure the local and state funding necessary to carry out each project. He also provides professional economic development, community development, public finance and government accounting advice to municipalities and companies in rural Minnesota. Over his tenure as an advisor he’s secured and managed $25.7 million in grant funds from state and federal sources for economic development, community development and public improvement projects. His efforts have also helped recruit and retain 28 businesses for client communities, which also created more than 1,700 new jobs and $34.8 million in additional tax base.

sures it’s both auto- and pedestrian-friendly. Construction of the community is scheduled to begin summer of 2021.

The CLI team was challenged with developing the Seter Groves subdivision as part of a larger community. The established area posed some challenging design considerations, including topographical concerns, existing trees and a holding pond. The CLI team also had to maintain proper access to the property from 7th Street and minimize water runoff. By working closely with planning, engineering, the city and the landowner the team came together to design something that will serve the land and the future homeowners.

AUSTIN PETERSON - MANAGING PARTNER, PRINCIPAL, CO-FOUNDER Peterson works alongside CLI clients and partners to ensure that everyone is working towards the same vision for growth. He has extensive experience working with federal, state and local government agencies, both as clients and on behalf of clients. His background in construction and land development continues to foster trust and partnerships for CLI clients.

MICHAEL J. DOMITROVICH - URBAN PLANNER, PRINCIPAL, CO-FOUNDER Domitrovich works with the city government and prepares the urban planning documentation and sketch plans for the city and the client. His more than 35 years of experience in municipal and land planning includes a 20year career as a city planner for the City of Fargo and consulting for both the private and public sectors. His experience with gathering public views on projects and dedication to creating seamless direction of projects

STEVAN DEWALD P.E. - CIVIL ENGINEER, PRINCIPAL, PARTNER

Stevan Dewald, P.E. oversees the civil, structural and surveying services performed by CLI. He has more than 40 years of experience in design, construction, project management and contract administration. He brings the same amount of dedication and focus to every project, from those that are small to some of the largest in the area, including the newest Sanford complex in Fargo. Dewald has also served as an engineer and manager on projects in both the local and interstate markets. His experience encompasses many fields of design with the primary focus of his work being general civil, municipal, transportation and environmental projects. Dewald is one of the few registered civil engineers in the area who can design public swimming pools. He also specializes in aquatic centers and interactive water play spaces.

BRONSON MATHIASON - DIRECTOR OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Mathiason has been part of planning several development projects over the years ranging from minor subdivisions to large pre-designed developments. While he works with land planning and engineering, his true passion is in home design. He has designed everything from sheds to multi-million-dollar homes. His unique perspective and experience assist the team plan for any kind of project.

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