Hillis-Carnes provided Subsurface Exploration and Geotechnical Engineering Services for the development of Cinnamon Woods, an age-restricted residential community located in Conowingo, Cecil County, Maryland. The project consisted of the construction of a manufactured home neighborhood designed for residents aged 55 and older. The community includes more than 100 residential homesites with single-story manufactured homes typically ranging from approximately 1,400 to 1,800 SF.

Site development included the construction of internal roadways, utility infrastructure, stormwater management facilities, and associated site improvements to support the residential lots and community amenities. Additional features of the development included landscaped common areas and a community clubhouse for residents. The project required extensive site preparation, including grading, installation of water and sewer utilities, storm drainage systems, and construction of pavement sections for access roads and parking areas. The development is located in a rural area of northern Cecil County near the Susquehanna River and the Conowingo Dam.

Hillis-Carnes performed a subsurface exploration to evaluate site conditions along the proposed utility alignments and to determine whether groundwater and/or rock would be encountered during subsurface utility installation. The exploration also assessed whether soils excavated during trenching operations would be suitable for reuse as utility backfill material.

To evaluate subsurface conditions, 24 auger probes were advanced along the proposed subsurface utility alignments within the project site. The probes were drilled using hollow-stem auger methods, and subsurface soils were sampled at various depths from the auger cuttings during drilling operations. Representative portions of each soil sample were transported to the Hillis-Carnes laboratory, where laboratory testing was performed on select samples recovered during the exploration program. Upon completion of the field exploration and laboratory testing, Hillis-Carnes prepared and submitted a geotechnical engineering report summarizing the subsurface conditions encountered and providing recommendations to support the design and installation of the proposed utilities.