Leytham, A New Traditional Neighborhood

[almighty_tuna]

best flame bait evar!

Such a statement will not go over well here, but it's true.

I agree with the first half, disagree with the second. So I guess I nibbled at your bait.

[OmahaJaysCU]

Wow, you want to get rid of some of the most unique courses in Omaha? You are absolutely crazy, Elmwood is the best!

"Elmwood is the best" What kind of argument is that?

Can you give me a logic reason why we shouldn't get rid of it? You cannot.

Millions of tax revenue is lost because of this mindset.

First off, just a heads up, read more, post less. You look crazy when you do nothing but post replies to every single word people say.

Second, I was just saying I loved the course, not trying to argue with you. I would consider Elmwood Golf Course, one of the older courses in this city, a historic landmark, meaning that it is one of the places that makes Omaha unique and should never be torn down. The way I see it is no differently than I see buildings like the Brandies or other historic structures.

Lastly, where are your "facts" if you are going to try and come on here and bombard us with facts and not allow us to have non factual opinions? Saying "it wastes money" is no different than me saying "it is a good course."

[MrPoloShirt]

Lastly, where are your "facts" if you are going to try and come on here and bombard us with facts and not allow us to have non factual opinions? Saying "it wastes money" is no different than me saying "it is a good course."

My facts are the LOST REVENUE and your statement is based on emotion, "it's great," "it's historic." Yawn

[thenewguy]

Lastly, where are your "facts" if you are going to try and come on here and bombard us with facts and not allow us to have non factual opinions? Saying "it wastes money" is no different than me saying "it is a good course."

My facts are the LOST REVENUE and your statement is based on emotion, "it's great," "it's historic." Yawn

Right now, a lot of things are losing money.

You say that the government shouldn't get involved in entertainment; I could see that. But let me ask you a question: do you like to eat? Is food one of your fancies? Guess what? The government is involved in that. Do you enjoy driving to work? Or driving anywhere? Government is involved. The fact is, the government is involved in so many things, why should we say that they are not allowed involvement in entertainment like helping build courses, parks, etc, for us? We pay taxes to the government, so they are pretty much ours anyway...just a lot more work to get there.

[OmahaJaysCU]

Lastly, where are your "facts" if you are going to try and come on here and bombard us with facts and not allow us to have non factual opinions? Saying "it wastes money" is no different than me saying "it is a good course."

My facts are the LOST REVENUE and your statement is based on emotion, "it's great," "it's historic." Yawn

Can you show me this lost revenue? Until I see proof you have no facts and your opinion is based purely on emotion. YAWN

[GetUrban]

Lastly, where are your "facts" if you are going to try and come on here and bombard us with facts and not allow us to have non factual opinions? Saying "it wastes money" is no different than me saying "it is a good course."

My facts are the LOST REVENUE and your statement is based on emotion, "it's great," "it's historic." Yawn

You're forgetting that some things have intrinsic VALUE beyond simply producing a steady revenue stream or profit. Elmwood Park or Field Club(although private) are good examples. Many people spend time there simply to enjoy the open space playing golf or whatever. Part of Elmwood park is in a flood plain too.

[omahastylee459]

Get rid of elmwood and field club? you're crazy, will never happen. I live a block from Elmwood golf course. You would probably be tarred, feathered, and run out of town by me and many of my neighbors if you were a planner and wanted to develop it. The thing about elmwood and field club is that they are public parks and beautify the area. Anyone can use them and they create natural spaces in an urban area. Now, I am no golfer, and I tend to think golf courses and cemeteries are the biggest wastes of land, but I believe you picked the two that actually serve a larger purpose.

[GetUrban]

I grew up near Elmwood and agree with you stylee459. But Field Club is NOT a Public course ....just look at their website or the City of Omaha's listing of public courses. Still, I think you'd see a huge uproar in the Field Club neighborhood if a developer came in and tried to change anything.

Wasn't this thread supposed to be about Leytham? Herb already has a place to put it.

[OmahaJaysCU]

I tend to think golf courses and cemeteries are the biggest wastes of land

Dead people? They don't want to be buried nowadays. Ecology, right?

Ask Wang. He'll tell you. We just bought property behind the Great Wall. On the good side!

[omahastylee459]

Cremation is the way to go. Burying the dead wastes a lot of space and is not a sustainable over time. Sorry this is all off topic but I wanted to respond, now back to Leytham.

[Big E]

Ask Wang. He'll tell you. We just bought property behind the Great Wall. On the good side!

So what?

So let's dance!

[cdub]

I love a good train wreck. I'd post a pic of one if this site wasn't too complex for me.

A Caddyshack train wreck is even better!

"Don't sell yourself short Judge, you're a tremendous slouch."


City park land can not be sold, according to state law.

[Greg S]

What's the latest on this development?

Greg

[Uffda]

I saw they have a facebook page. Also it seems the NPDodge is or at least some of its agents have been promoting it.

[Herb]

What's the latest on this development?

Greg

The latest is really a continuation: We are seeking an SID commitment for Leytham. An SID commitment is required for final planning and zoning approval. The SID warrants would have to be sold into a credit market that is still quite frozen. This is the problem. The SID fiscal agents to whom we have presented Leytham each like the project. They understand Leytham and how it is different from conventional suburban sprawl. They understand the benefits of a compact, walkable, mixed-use neighborhood. They understand how a diverse neighborhood like Leytham appeals at many price points to a wide variety of demographic groups seeking a variety of housing types and styles. Each would like to underwrite the SID, but each believes that the market for the SID warrants is still too weak.

The SID fiscal agents generally believe that the credit markets are slowly improving and that perhaps by next spring the market would for the warrants will have firmed up sufficiently to form the SID.

Meanwhile, the preliminary platting and zoning approval that Leytham received in the summer of 2007 through the City Planning Department and City Council, which was good only for two years and had to be renewed, has been extended for another two years.

Yours for an improving municipal finance market,

Herb

[StreetsOfOmaha]

Well, we're all pulling for you Herb!

I got a taste of a "Leytham-type" development in Iowa City last week. Although, this was on a much smaller scale, and was purely residential, but it had a great mix of styles, sizes, and types (single family, multi-family). It looked great, and like I said it was a nice, small taste of what Leytham will offer.

[Harpoon]

Well, we're all pulling for you Herb!

I got a taste of a "Leytham-type" development in Iowa City last week. Although, this was on a much smaller scale, and was purely residential, but it had a great mix of styles, sizes, and types (single family, multi-family). It looked great, and like I said it was a nice, small taste of what Leytham will offer.

Did you go to the Peninsula Neighborhood?

[StreetsOfOmaha]

Yep!

[Herb]

Greetings my fellow urban enthusiasts and far-gazing suburban visionaries,


I think many of you will find this to be very thought provoking:

http://www.re-burbia.com/finalists/

My personal favorite is this series of ideas for retro-fitting suburbia by Galina Tahchieva, with Duany Plater-Zyberk and Company (DPZ). Be sure to scan the comments too.

http://www.re-burbia.com/2009/08/04/spr ... r-toolkit/

You can vote for your favorite among the many, varied concepts presented. Enjoy envisioning new futures!

Yours for the walkable, compact, mixed use new traditional neighborhood,

Herb

[Coyote]

Herb, how is the SID commitment for Leytham coming along?

[Stargazer]

Heh heh... like buzzards hovering overhead.

We have a place for you Herb, if you can't show us some progress.

[TechnicalDisaster]

Heh heh... like buzzards hovering overhead.

We have a place for you Herb, if you can't show us some progress.

LOL. I actually want to see this project happen. Wife and I even drove out to the site to get a feel for our daily commute if we purchased property there.

[Stargazer]

Yeah, don't get me wrong... I wanted to see all of those failed developments succeed... well, perhaps with the exception of the Vortex tower.

[Uffda]

Knowing where this one is - I see it as adding to the sprawl that many on here despise openly.

[StreetsOfOmaha]

Certainly not. This project represents the type of "new" suburb that I and many others think should be the gold standard. It's essentially a new "town" with diverse housing values and a mix of uses that would allow residents to do much of their daily activities on foot.

[TechnicalDisaster]

Certainly not. This project represents the type of "new" suburb that I and many others think should be the gold standard. It's essentially a new "town" with diverse housing values and a mix of uses that would allow residents to do much of their daily activities on foot.

Wow, what a difference a few years makes. Here is your initial opinion of the project from the 2nd page of the thread:

I thought this project was fighting sprawl. The project looks as sprawled as anything being built in the burbs.

Sure it has a town center, and some design to it, which is nice to see, but this is still just low density, suburban stuff.

Plus, it's at 168th and State. Hello! Let's "fight" sprawl by building a low density development on the outskirts of the city.

This seems like a classic "pee on my leg and tell me it's raining."

Make up your mind!!!

[Uffda]

town" with diverse housing values and a mix of uses that would allow residents to do much of their daily activities on foot.

So it is the 'new Elkhorn'?

[Stargazer]

Streets continues to age... descend to the dark side.

[StreetsOfOmaha]

Wow, what a difference a few years makes.

In deed!

I've come to see Leytham as more of a new traditional town, as opposed to a new suburban housing development, and it should function as such. Unfortunately, the residents (if it ever happens) will probably end up treating it as a bedroom community and driving into Omaha for much of their daily needs.

[StreetsOfOmaha]

town" with diverse housing values and a mix of uses that would allow residents to do much of their daily activities on foot.

So it is the 'new Elkhorn'?

Essentially, yes, in the traditional "town" sense. Not really what Elkhorn has become today.

[Herb]

Good day to all,

There really is no news on the SID commitment for Leytham. The municipal bond market is still frozen by the general recession and the real estate market specifically. The SID fiscal agents do not believe they can sell the warrants that would fund the installation of the infrastructure in the currents environment. Until the climate (literally and figuratively) thaws, that will remain the case.

Leytham is one of those "shovel ready" projects you hear about. If only I could get some stimulus money . . .

Ah well.

Yours for the long awaited recovery,

Herb

PS. Thanks for your continued interest in traditional neighborhood development and (from most here) your support.

[Herb]

New urban projects come in a wide variety of forms. See my blog http://www.newherbanism.blogspot.com/ post for a list of some of the forms that new urbanist projects can take. If you are interested in exploring further, New Urban News, http://www.newurbannews.com has created a very useful tool which sorts and categorizes many new urbanist projects. You can search by state or by project type. Just click here:

http://www.newurbannews.com/newurbancommunities.html

Be sure to see the projects listed under Nebraska. My personal favorite, of course, is Leytham, http://www.Leytham.com the Omaha area’s first new Greenfield Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND). If you have not visited the Leytham website, I invite you to do so, and be sure to register on the site to receive updates in the Leytham e-newsletter.

[Coyote]

I see on Wednesday for the City Planning Board that Leytham is seeking Preliminary Plat approval.

[StreetsOfOmaha]

Hey, Herb. I don't know if you still lurk here, but I had a question about where you came up with the name "Leytham." I think you mentioned at one point, but I didn't feel like going back and digging through all the pages of this thread.

The reason I'm wondering is that there is a town in the Albany area here called Latham.

[Coyote]

Was hoping Herb would respond - but here was his first explanation:

What’s Behind the Naming of the New Traditional Neighborhood on State Street?

The United States of America, in a series of Bounty Land Acts dating from the Revolutionary War in 1776 through 1855, followed a policy of rewarding those who served the country with bounty land grants. Eligibility was gradually extended to include officers and soldiers of the regular army, navy, militia and Native Americans mustered into the service of the United States in time of war.

By the middle of the nineteenth century, Congress had authorized the transfer of sixty million acres of the public domain to veterans as a way for the government to induce men to enlist, to further compensate those who had served, to provide for their widows and children and to settle the west. The land bounty was granted in the form of a warrant. The warrant did not actually convey title to the land, but with his bounty land warrant the veteran could apply for a land patent whereby actual title to the land was transferred to him from the public domain. Most who received a land bounty warrant did not actually take title to any land. Rather, through a wide spread business involving agents, the land bounty warrants were sold to others who redeemed them for the actual land. And so it was that William Scripter, having served in Captain Beach's company of the New York State Militia in the War of 1812, received land bounty Warrant 25,027 and subsequently sold it.

The original patent for the land which will become Omaha area’s first new traditional neighborhood proclaims:

“In pursuance to the Act of Congress, approved March 3, 1855, entitled ‘An Act in addition to certain Acts granting Bounty Land to certain Officers and Soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States’ there has been deposited in the General Land Office, Warrant No. 25,027 . . . .”

Warrant No. 25,027 was redeemed for a patent that, on the first day of October in 1860, the 15th President of the United States of America, James Buchanan, caused to be issued.

The patent land had been owned by the federal government since it was acquired in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Before that the French had laid claim to the land which the Omaha Tribe of Native Americans had lived upon for centuries without any concept of private ownership of the land. The Omaha arrived here after having come “up stream,” the literal meaning of “Omaha.” John Lee Webster, President of the Nebraska State Historical Society, noted in his annual address of January 16, 1913:

There is a well authenticated tradition among the Omaha Tribe, that, impelled by a spirit of migration . . . , they took up their journey from their eastern home near the headwaters of the Ohio and followed that river to the union of its waters with the Mississippi, and thence up the eastern side of the Missouri, and eventually permanently settled three and a half centuries ago in what afterward became known as the Nebraska region.

The same spirit that drives all human migration and which impelled the Omaha to come up stream to Nebraska also prompted a certain Englishman in 1855 to sail to America, and then to find his way to Nebraska Territory to settle in Omaha in 1856, and then in 1860 to obtain Warrant 25,027 and to redeem that warrant for a patent from the federal government for 160 acres of virgin prairie in Douglas County, Nebraska Territory. His name was Richard Leytham and he was a farmer. Here is his story and that of his family.

The Nebraska Territorial Census reveals that in 1860 Richard was 37 years old. His wife, Elizabeth, was 31. The Leythams were both born in Lancashire, England. Their eleven year old son, John, and eight year old Thomas were born in Liverpool. Two year old Eleanor was born in Nebraska. Five years later the Leytham family moved to Shelby County, Iowa.

Some twenty-nine years after he received the patent on the 160 acres in Nebraska, the 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa records that:

RICHARD LEYTHAM is one of the oldest pioneers of Cass Township, having come there in 1865. He was born in Lancashire, England, March 3, 1823, and is the son of John and Eleanor (Singleton) Leytham. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer. November 12, 1848, he was married to Elizabeth Taylor, a native of England, and a daughter of James and Eunice (Oibin) Taylor. In 1855 Mr. and Mrs. Leytham sailed from Liverpool to America; they landed at Boston and proceeded to Canada, but remained there only a short time comparatively. In the spring of 1856 they removed to Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha then had a few shanties, one hotel, the Douglas House, a small boarding-house called Little Ireland, and lots of whisky. A three days' residence in Omaha satisfied Mr. Leytham and his wife, so they went to Florence, Nebraska, six miles north of Omaha, where they were among the first settlers. They built them a home, and remained there nine years. In 1865 they came to Shelby County, and Mr. Leytham bought sixty acres of land, ten of which were broken; there was a log-cabin on the place, and there was no other between Cass Township and Harlan. Mr. Leytham now owns 220 acres of well-improved land, stocked with a large number of cattle and horses. Mr. and Mrs. Leytham are the parents of fifteen children, nine of whom are living -- John, Thomas, Eleanor, Robert, Richard, Ann Jane, Sarah, Eunice and William; those deceased are -- Eunice, the first child so called, Elizabeth, James, Maggie, Samuel and Charles. The parents are members and zealous supporters of the Latter-Day Saints church, Mr. Leytham being a teacher in the church. He and his wife were brought up in the Church of England, but changed their views after coming to America, and united with the church of the Latter-Day Saints. In politics Mr. Leytham is inclined to the principles of the Democratic party. He is a good conversationalist, genial in his disposition, and an honored and respected citizen of Cass Township.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 478

The Leythams lived on into an old age in Shelby County, Iowa. Elizabeth died on September 26, 1909 at the age of 80. Richard lived to 88, passing away on April 10, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Leytham are buried Cass Township Cemetery southeast of Portsmouth, Shelby County, Iowa with several of their children and grand children.

Through a series of eight title transfers, from the original 1860 Leytham patent to the founding of the Omaha area’s first new traditional neighborhood, the land has always remained intact. Each owner has passed on the entire 160 acres. Now, after nearly 150 years of private ownership, it is time for the current owner of the land, Herb Freeman, to found a new and enduring traditional neighborhood so that many may benefit from the respectful improvement and wise use of this land.

The Leythams exemplify the pioneer spirit. They came to the new world from the old and lived on the wild frontier. Through industry and effort and living good lives, they began the transformation of the land. The people who live in this new neighborhood will be the next links in the long chain of those, unknown and known, titled or not, who have occupied and used this land over the centuries. It is only fitting and proper that we name this new community after the family who were the pivot point at that unique hinge in time between the unknown who used the land without title and those who come down known to us in the chain of private title. It is only fitting and proper that we name the new neighborhood after the Leythams.

The etymology of British place names reveals that the meaning of “Leytham” perfectly symbolizes the new neighborhood on State Street. “Ley” is the second most common element in British surnames. It comes from the Old English “leah” and the Middle English “leye” meaning clearing, grassland or meadow. The “(t)-ham” ending is a common Anglo-Saxon suffix meaning a home or homestead, and later a village, manor or estate. How appropriate it is that “Leytham” means, quite literally, “Village in the Meadow?”

So where does the credit go for the naming the new traditional neighborhood on State Street? As you may know, during the design charrette we announced a contest with a $500 prize to the person who submitted the name that was selected. Well, no one submitted the actual name. But a few people contributed significantly to the process. Some said, “Why don’t you check the history of the property and see what that suggests.” A title search revealed Richard Leytham as the first private owner of the land. Some in-depth research uncovered his story. One person suggested looking at the etymology of British place names. That produced the derivation of the Leytham name and confirmed its selection as the name for Omaha’s first greenfield new traditional neighborhood. I guess one could say that the process produced the name. You were part of that process if you submitted a name for consideration because you helped me focus my thinking. Thank you to all those who submitted a name. I appreciate your interest and support very much. Since no one person actually submitted the name, the prize will be donated to Habitat for Humanity where it may do a bit of good to bring quality housing to those who most need it.

There is a saying among the new urbanists: "Most developers name their projects after whatever it is that they destroyed by developing the project." Think about the names of many of the Omaha area's conventional subdivisions and you will see what they mean. Not so on State Street. Both in terms of its historic significance and its literal meaning, the perfect name by which we shall call the Omaha area’s first new traditional neighborhood is . . . Leytham.



Artist's rendering of the view across the wetlands and up a greenway to The Commons at Leytham, the "Village in the Meadow."

(Original Charrette hand drawing by DeDe Christopher, September 2006. See her web site here: http://www.christopherillustration.com. Of special interest is this link to DeDe's website displaying the beautiful work she created at the Leytham Charrette: http://www.christopherillustration.com/ ... omaha.html.)

Herb

[StreetsOfOmaha]

Thanks for finding that.

[Coyote]

Rezoning was finally passed 7-0, but it looks like it still will take time to get all their ducks in a row.

APPROVED 7-0. Approval of the rezoning plan to rezone from AG to DR, R4 and
MU; approval of the NC (Neighborhood Conservation) overlay subject to the applicant addressing
the following: 1) Although this development proposes the use of the Smart Code standards, it is
being used in conjunction with the current City mixed use standards. Even if the standard mixed
use development agreement format is not being used the same information should be provided,
such as the area of land needed to meet the 10 percent minimum office space, the 12 percent
maximum fast food, the amount of open space, the number of Center ID signs, and a sign budget.
The development agreement and regulations proposed for this development is still under review
and some additional information may need to be provided; 2) Elevations need to be provided; 3)
The permitted uses within Leytham should be the same as the City’s approved Mixed Use
regulations. There are uses listed as permitted by minor amendment. The MU section of the code,
Section 55-563 list uses that are permitted or permitted through the use permit process which
involves a major amendment; and 4) The Smart Code mentions a CRC, Consolidated Review
Committee and the Minor and Major Amendment process. The Law Department will need to
review this section to ensure that it fits with the City’s regulations. Approval of the revised
preliminary plat subject to the applicant submitting another revised preliminary plat application
with, or prior to, submitting the final plat application that addresses the following: 1) Provide for
grading both 168th and State Streets for future five-lane roadways and paving them to three-lane
sections; 2) Prepare and submit 1:20 scale exhibits of the 165th and State Streets and 168th and
Bondesson Streets intersections; 3) Note on the plat that direct access to both 168th and State
Streets from adjacent lots will not be permitted; 4) Note on the plat that the 1/8th mile (from the
168th & State Street intersection) connections to both 168th and State Streets will be restricted
right-in/right-out vehicular turning movements; 5) Provide noise attenuation easements at least
115’ from each street’s centerline for both 168th and State Streets; 6) Request a waiver of Section
53-8(4) Minimum design standards for lots with no frontage and for lots that do not meet the 100
foot minimum depth requirement; 7) Resolve all street design and construction issues and waivers
prior to the submittal of the final plat application; 8 ) Provide for constructing temporary
turnarounds at the terminus of all temporarily dead-ended streets; 9) Provide the appropriate
access easements on the outlots for vehicular and pedestrian movement where necessary; 10)
Submit cross-sections of all drainageways along with drainage calculations for a 100-year storm.
Based on this information provide drainage easements greater than or equal to the standard 3:1
plus 20’ or the 100-year storm path, whichever is greater; 11) Adjust the outlots to encapsulate the
ultimate easement areas; 12) Coordinate the alignment and improvements for both the boulevard
and parkway with the Parks and Recreation Department; 13) Obtain approval of parkway and
boulevard acquisition and improvements and the “no build” easement from the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board before the submittal of the final plat application; 14) Provide the
required “no build” easement on all private property along both boulevards and parkways; 15)
Submit a letter from Douglas County Emergency Management confirming that acceptable
emergency warning is being provided for the area; 16) Submit a letter from Douglas County
Environmental Services that indicates a noxious weed plan has been approved; 17) Prepare and
submit a tree canopy loss analysis and, if necessary, a tree canopy loss mitigation plan; 18 )
Prepare and submit a wetlands analyses and, if any wetlands are damaged, a 3:1 mitigation plan;
and 19) Provide for the private use, ownership and maintenance of all outlots in the subdivision
agreement. Since there are so many outlots, an outlot section should be added to the subdivision
agreement.

[Coyote]

Leytham's preliminary plat goes before the city council tomorrow.

[Coyote]

Unanimously adopted by City Council last Tuesday.

[Coyote]

I can't believe how long it has been..., but Leytham has a revised preliminary draft before the Planning Board next week.
Wish you luck Herb, we haven't heard from you in a while!