LAND PLANNING LIMONCITO 80

LIMONCITO80

INTRODUCTION

METHOLOGY

OBJECTIVES

LOCATION

GAGE DAVIS+LIMONcITO

1

LAND PLANNING CONTENTS

Costa Rica is a relatively small country, which is located between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. It’s land mass is only about 51,100 square kilometers-roughly the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. Although small, Costa Rica boasts diverse natural features, with its mountainous interior, its Caribbean coastline in the east, and its Pacific coastline in the west. In fact, Costa Rica is considered to be one of the 20 countries with the greatest biodiversity in the world. Costa Rica is also unique in Central America due to the quality of its government (a stable democracy) and its long-term focus on the education and health of its citizens, making it an attractive place to visit and own a second home. Within Costa Rica, the Central Pacific Coast offers a very diverse array of natural features, with steep mountains; white and dark sand beaches, dense forests, and active volcanoes. The Central Pacific Coast is the transition zone between the semi-arid northern coast and the wet southern coast. The air is generally more humid than in the north, but drier than the south. The interior region surrounding Carara Bay is home to a very unique forest ecosystem located in the transition zone.

Several of this region’s beaches are renown throughout the country, of these are two just south of Carara Bay. Playa Mantas and Playa Blanca are white-sand beaches, which have

received “Blue Flag” awards for their pristine nature and overall quality. Some of the country’s finest beaches are also located on Coronado Bay, about 50 miles south. These beaches are framed by lush rainforest mountains, and include cliffs, pools, and waterfalls. The Central Pacific Coast is also a popular surfing destination, and large waves attract surfing enthusiasts from around the world. With respect to climate, the Central Pacific Coast features a warm and overall appealing climate from November or December through April. It is drier than the region to the south and wetter than the region to the north although the rainy season occurs between June and November. The Central Pacific Coast also tends to have fewer insect problems than destinations further south. In general, Costa Rica is well protected from hurricanes, which have historically not struck this coastline.

LOCATION

Costa Rica’s most impressive national parks and biological preserves are Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, and Chirripó National Park. Carara National Park is located just to the northeast of the subject site on the inland side of Highway 34. This 4,700 hectare park is set in the northernmost region of the Pacific rainforest where tropical forests and dry forests blend. The park features several kilometers of trails open to the public. Because vegetation is less dense than forests further south, wildlife is often easier to see. Carara National Park is most famous for its

scarlet macaws. Manuel Antonio National Park is located on the ocean side of Highway 34, about 52 miles south of Carara National Park. This park was Costa Rica’s first major ecotourism destinations and it is also one of the smallest parks comprising only about 680 hectares. It consists of dense rain forests and several pristine beaches. It is home to the endangered squirrel monkeys and three-toed sloth. Chirripó National Park is the Central Pacific Coast’s southern most national park. It is located on the east side of Highway 2 (the Inter-American Highway), about 29 kilometers northeast of Dominical. This park is approximately 50,200 hectares in size and encompasses Mount Chirripó, Costa Rica’s highest peak at 3,759 meters (12,330 feet) in elevation. Hiking trails extend to the summit where, on a clear day, one can see both the Caribbean Sean and the Pacific Ocean. The park is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including the quetzal regarded by many as Costa Rica’s most beautiful bird.

Juan Santamaria International Airport is located about 11 miles west of downtown San Jose, in Alajuela. Juan Santamaria Airport is relatively large and offers direct flights to and from numerous U.S. cities. Because it is located on the west side of the city, visitors to the Central Pacific Coast can drive to and from the airport without crossing through the often gridlocked downtown area. Juan Santamaria International Airport is served by major U.S. carriers, including American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, Continental, United and U.S.Airways.Direct flights to San Jose are available from the following large U.S. metropolitan areas with there flight times.

• Miami: 2 hours and 45 minutes• Ft. Lauderdale: 2 hours and 50 minutes• New York: 3 hours.• Houston: 3 hours and 40 minutes• Dallas-Fort Worth: 3 hours and 55 minutes• Atlanta: 4 hours• Charlotte: 4 hours and 15 minutes• Newark: 5 hours and 20 minutes.• Los Angeles: 5 hours and 30 minutes.

The travel time from the East Coast and the South is quite reasonable. For residents of places like Houston, Atlanta, and the New York metro area, it is much quicker to get to Costa Rica than to travel to Hawaii or even to many resort areas of Mexico.

The Limoncito site is located on the westcoast of Costa Rica within a region known as the Central Pacific Coast. The Central Pacific Coast extends down the west coast of Costa Rica, from the Nicoya Peninsula in the north to the Osa Peninsula in the south. Limonsito is set on the northern end of this stretch of coastline approximately 62 miles from San Jose International Airport (Juan Santamaria International Airport) which is located to the west of San Jose, the country’s capital.The current drive time with the

new highway connecting San Jose to the Central Pacific Coast and Limoncito, generally ranges from about 45mins to 1 hour.This new route is a major benefit to the overall marketability of the coastal region in general, and Carara Bay specifically, for it will allow future visitors and second-home owners to access the property in less than an hour from the San Jose airport.

The accompanying map illustrates the current ownership pattern and properties that have been assembled and comprise the proposed Limonsito development. The properties are as follows and are indicated on the map.

1. CararaThis 44 hectare parcel ( 108.72 acres) is owned by Marina Carara Limitada..2. PlayaBlancaBeachClubParcelThis parcel of land, located to the south of Punta Leona consists of 1,354 square meters (14,574 square feet) is one of 2 proposed beach club sites on the ocean. It is owned by Progreso Desarrollo Empresarial PRODESA, S.A. and will be transferred to MCL for development.3. Limoncito80This parcel is owned by Limoncito Ochenta Realty Investment and Sociedad Anonima and consists of 70.4 hectares (173.97 acres).

Reference picture

The Limoncito property consists of approximately 70.4 hectares (173.97 acres) of steep lushy forested land situated on the west coast of Costa Rica.The property is bordered on the south by the existing resort and residential area of Punta Leona, on the west by the Pacific Ocean.Primary access to the site from San Jose is via Highway 3 or 27 to 10 Kilometers west of Orotina where it intersects with Highway 34 which heads south to Punta Leona.imoncito would be accessed via the

current gated entry and the existing access road to Punta Leona. Later, a new access road will be built from an intersection with the Punta Leona access road through exotic vegetation and terrain to the central lower portion of the property.Because of the dense vegetation and prominent western ridgeline, views of the Ocean from the low land are relatively limited and are primarily oriented to the north. This is not the case, however, from the higher portions of the property where ocean and sunset views are magnificent.

LAND PLANNING LIMONCITO 80

464000

465000

190000

189000

188000

L1

L2

L3

L4

L5

L6

L7

L8

L10

L11

L12

L13

L14

L15

L16

L17

L9

LOTSLot 1Lot 2Lot 3Lot 4Lot 5Lot 6Lot 7Lot 8Lot 9Lot 10Lot 11Lot 12Lot 13Lot 14Lot 15Lot 16Lot 17

Protected area

TOTAL

area m24 812.6510 966.386 433.703 476.654 537.6110 531.1312 097.563 664.9814 112.412 554.592 734.584 196.729 489.213 022.472 983.052 156.172 681.99

62 929.99

163 381.84

Slope5%-15% Slope15%-25% Slope25% + Slope

The results of a reconnaissance level evaluation of the property can be seen in the Development Suitability Plan. As can be seen from the slope analysis a major portion of the property is poorly suited for development because of steep terrain and associated development costs for infra-structure and buildings. Further limiting development is the extensive tropical vegetation which, by law, needs to be protected. With that being said, these factors also contribute to exceptional development opportunities in limited areas; eg: dramatic sites, panoramic views, lush vegetation, etc. Where these opportunities exist, a number of sites and development products are recommended.

Slope Diagram

Unit Master Plan

Unit Master Plan

Site sensitive planning principles in conjunction with the suitabilitiy analysis served as a basis for preparing a master plan that reinforces the Limoncito vision and overall development concept.

Steep slopes and large contiguous areas with mature stands of existing vegetation have been preserved providing a natural and comprehensive open space system that includes approximately 80 acres.

Automobile access to the community is provided from two points on the south and one to the north. The south road is envisioned to be the primary access to the community via the

main road serving Punta Leona. This road meanders through the existing jungle. A second access road is provided into the Limoncito parcel located at the southwest corner of the property. This road is existing and will provide access to Phase I.

A north road is proposed that will include a bridge crossing over the Agujas River.

The property includes a variety of ridges and landforms that have been planned to include four and six unit condominium buildings. These enclaves (Lots 8-14) have are configured and buildings oriented to maximize views to the ocean.

Unit Type M

aster Plan

A series of ridges and natural landforms are located within the Limoncito property located at the southwest portion of the property. These areas (Lots 1-7 and 15) have been configured to serve as individual residential enclaves that will include 59 ‘Tree house” units. Three different single family detached “Tree house”

units have been designed to include a combination of 2 and 3 bedrooms. These units have been located and configured around open space and amenity areas. A Zipline and platform system has been planned connecting each residential enclave.

Phasing Master Plan

“Tree house” units

These units have been located and configured around open space and amenity areas.

This enclave includes three different prototypes that reflect a combination of two and three bedroom units. Each “Tree house” includes an electric cart storage building that will be connected via a community cart path system. A community pool amenity and pavilion has been located with views to the ocean. Centralized automobile parking is provided with each enclave. The intent is to construct in phase I the “Tree house” units in Lot I. This enclave would demonstrate the character and principles for the project. It would also serve as a sales office and model complex. As sales progress lot two would be developed utilizing the same prototypes.

Lot I includes six “Tree house Units”.