Engineering for sustainable communities: principles and practices

Disclaimer
Introduction
Contents
Chapter 1: Land Planning Concepts
	Affordable Homes
	Land Planning for Marketability
	High-Density Developments
	Cluster Zoning
	Neotraditional
	Adult Retirement Housing
	Connectivity
	Partnerships in Planning
Chapter 2: Residential Land Uses
	Rural
	Estate
	Low Density
	Small Lot, Single Family
	Townhouses
	High Density
	High Density, Multistory
	Active Adult Communities
	Traditional Neighborhood Developments
	Residential Mixed-Use Developments
	Large-Scale Projects
Chapter 3: Land Development Basics
	Property Uses
	Market Study
		Community Overview
			Demographic Analysis
			Housing Factors
			Economic Analysis
			Community Analysis
		Neighborhood Overview
		Summary of Residential Market Analysis
	Market Comparison
	Site Analysis
		Site Analysis and the Purchase Agreement
		Site Inspection
		Special Considerations
	Regulatory Issues
		Excessive Regulations
		Approval Process
	Value Analysis
	Contract Provisions
	Appendix 3-1
	Appendix 3-2
	Appendix 3-3
	Appendix 3-4
	Appendix 3-5
	Appendix 3-6
	Appendix 3-7
	Appendix 3-8
	Appendix 3-9
Chapter 4: Due Diligence
	General
		Property Description and Ownership
		Legal Description
		Tax Map and Parcel Size
		Master Plan Compliance
		Future Road Alignments and Rights-of-Way Dedications
		Review of Phase 1 Environmental Study
		Site Pictures
	Maps and Plans
		Property Boundary Survey
		Tax Maps
		Zoning Maps
		Master Plans
		Street Maps and Community Amenities
		Topographic Survey or GIS Maps
		Aerial Photos
		Soils Maps
		Water and Sewer Maps
		Wetland Inventory Maps
		Floodplain Maps
		Road Network Plans
	Zoning and Land Uses
		Permitted and Conditional Uses
		Permitted Uses
		Conditional Uses
		Zoning Restrictions, Bulk Requirements, and Constraints
		Subdivision Bulk Requirements
		Density Bonus
		Yield Analysis, Open Space, and Buffer Requirements
	Regulations
		Rezoning Applications
		Development Impact on Services and Existing Infrastructure
		Dedications, Easements, and Encroachments
		Road Access, Off-Site Road Improvements, and On-Site Road Circulation
		Land Development Regulations
		Stormwater Management Facility Requirements
		Best Management Practices
		Regional, State, and Federal Regulations
		Community Hot Buttons
		Entitlement, Approval, and Permitting Processes
	Neighboring Property
		Existing and Proposed Uses
		Positive and Negative Surrounding Property Analysis
		Neighborhood Reaction to Development Plans
		Political Assessment
		Noise Problems
		Views from the Site, Including Unsightly Views
		Archeological or Historical Significance of the Site
		Boundary Problems (Gores, Gaps, and Overlaps), Easements, and Rights-Of-Way
		Adjacent Property Impacts
	Site Characteristics
		Environmental Constraints
		Property Soil Types, Characteristics, and Topography
		Utilities
	Government Staff Reviews and Comments
		Become an Active Member of the Community
	Development Potential Summary
Chapter 5: Financing
	Financing Techniques
		Purchase Money Mortgage
		Options
		Installment Contracts
		Leasehold Arrangements and Lease Options
		Land Sale Lease Back
		Limited Partnership
		Syndications
		Joint Ventures
		Blanket Mortgage
		Other Financing Techniques
	Choosing a Lender
	Submitting the Loan Package
		Cover Letter
		Loan Summary
		Project Elements
		Company History
		Marketing Strategy
		Project Team Members
		Graph of Competitive Product
		Target Market
		Product
		Appraisal
		Sales and Marketing
		Pro Forma
		Corporate Reports
		Financial Documents
		Miscellaneous
	Appendix 5-1
	Appendix 5-2
Chapter 6: Schedules
	Project Activity Schedule
	Master Schedules
	Land Development Schedules
	Housing Inventory Schedule
	Appendix 6-1
	Appendix 6-2
	Appendix 6-3
	Appendix 6-4
	Appendix 6-5
Chapter 7: Basics of Residential Marketing
	Location
	Competition
	Land Plan
	Lot Premiums
	Housing Selection
	Marketing Approach
	Subdivision Potential
Chapter 8: Consultants
	Selection Process
	Design Team Members
		Surveyor
		Environmental Consultant
		Soils Engineer
		Land Planner
		Engineer
		Landscape Architect
		Architect
		Other Disciplines
	Professional Service Agreement
	Consultant Responsibility
	Appendix 8-1
	Appendix 8-2
	Appendix 8-3
	Appendix 8-4
	Appendix 8-5
	Appendix 8-6
	Appendix 8-7
Chapter 9: Sustainable Residential Communities
	What, How, When, and Where to Build
		Know the Past to Understand the Future
		What to Build
		How to Build
		When to Build
		Where to Build
	Social Sustainability
	Environmental Sustainability
	Economic Sustainability
	Did You Know?
		Smart Growth Network
		Livable Communities
		Sustainable Cities
		HUD, DOT, and EPA
		National League of Cities: Sustainable Cities Institute
		US Chamber of Commerce's Business Civic Leadership Center
		Smart Cities Dive
		HUD
		Center for Sustainable Organizations (CSO)
		Sustainable Community Development Institute (SCDI)
		Community Revitalization Alliance
		Sustainable Community Initiatives
		Smart Growth Rating Systems
		Additional Sustainability Resources
Chapter 10: Conceptual Design Planning
	Base Map
	Conceptual Land Plan
		Roads and Access Points
		Topography
		Drainage
		Environment
		Soils
		Vegetation
		Utilities
	Housing Product
		Foundations
		Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
		Description of Permitted Uses
		Type of Building
		Height Restrictions
		Setbacks
		Architectural Restrictions
	Conceptual Cost Estimate
	Appendix 10-1
	Appendix 10-2
	Appendix 10-3
	Appendix 10-4
	Appendix 10-5
	Appendix 10-6
	Appendix 10-7
	Appendix 10-8
Chapter 11: Residential Subdivision Design
	Design and Construction Options
		Clearing
		Earthwork
		Sanitary Sewers
		Water Distribution Systems
		Drainage Facilities
		Roadways
	Quality Reviews
		Engineering Review
		Cost Estimate
	Appendix 11-1
	Appendix 11-2
Chapter 12: Residential Land Development Standards
	Residential Streets
		Right-Of-Way
		Pavement Width
		Cul-De-Sacs
		Curbs and Sidewalks
		Vertical and Horizontal Curves
	Water and Sewer Lines
	Drainage
Chapter 13: Project Approval Strategy
	Approval Strategy for Builder/Developers
		Experts
		Political Problems
		Community Relations
		Project Costs
		Planning Board Presentations
		Role Playing
		Planning Board Meeting
	Engineers and Public Hearings
		Rule 1: Know the Political Hot Buttons
			How Do You Find Out About the Issues?
			Should You Meet with Board Members?
			Should the Engineer Become Politically Involved?
		Rule 2: Public Participation Is a Key Component
		Rule 3: Know Your Costs
		Rule 4: Prepare for a Board Hearing
		Rule 5: Prepare Quality Graphics
		Rule 6: Use Appropriate Tools of the Trade
		Rule 7: Orchestrate the Performance
		Rule 8: Present a Project with Enthusiasm
		Rule 9: Answer Questions Briefly
		Rule 10: Pass the Torch
		Engineers at the Crossroads
Chapter 14: Developers, Engineers, Regulators
	Timing and Schedule
		Developer
		Engineer
		Regulator
		Land Development Engineer's Goals
	Quality
		Developer
		Engineer
		Regulator
		Land Development Engineer's Goals
	Cooperation
		Developer
		Engineer
		Regulator
		Land Development Engineer's Goals
	Knowledge
		Developer
		Engineer
		Regulator
		Land Development Engineer's Goals
	Workforce
		Developer
		Engineer
		Regulator
		Land Development Engineer's Goals
	Commitment
		Developer
		Engineer
		Regulator
		Land Development Engineer's Goals
	Communication
		Developer
		Engineer
		Regulator
		Land Development Engineer's Goals
	Meetings
		Developer
		Engineer
		Regulator
		Land Development Engineer's Goals
	Documentation
		Developer
		Engineer
		Regulator
		Land Development Engineer's Goals
	Government Relations
		Developer
		Engineer
		Regulator
		Land Development Engineer's Goals
	Summary
Chapter 15: Stormwater Management and Best Management Practices
	Decentralized versus Regional SWM Facilities
	Stormwater Management
		Retention Facilities
		Detention Facilities
	Best Management Practices
		Bioretention Systems
		Roof Drywell Systems
		Extended Detention Facilities
		Manufactured Treatment Systems
		Sand Filters
		Vegetative Filters
		Permanent Water Surface Ponds
	Soil Testing Programs
	Visual Considerations
		Landscaping
		Fencing
		Maintenance Access
	Maintenance Programs
	Ownership Alternatives
		Government
		Homeowners Association
		Individual Property Owner
	Design Trends
Chapter 16: Permits and More Permits
	Local Governments
		Planning Board
		Shade Tree Commission
		Environmental Commission
		Water and Sewer Departments
		Drainage Departments
		Traffic Departments
		Project Reviews
	Regional Agencies
		Regional Planning Boards
		Soil Conservation District
		Stormwater or River Basin Agencies
		Protection, Enhancement, and Proper Use Groups
		Quasi-Public Agencies
	State Agencies
	Federal Government
	Subdivision Approval Process
	Planning Board Guide for Citizen Participation
		Application Process
		Associated Agencies
		Procedures
		Types of Approvals
		Types of Meetings
		Description of a Hearing
		Presentations
		Questions and Answers
		Work Sessions
		Definitions
Chapter 17: Municipal Government's Changing Landscape
	Architectural Guidelines and Price Points
	Residential Roads and Traffic Impact Studies
	Municipal Services and Cost Benefit Analysis
	Economic Development
	Stormwater Facilities Operation and Maintenance and MS4 Permits
		Water Distribution and Water Supply
		Wastewater Treatment Plant and Line Capacity
Chapter 18: Land Development Bid Process
	Plans and Specifications
	Prebid Conference with Staff
	Bid Process
		Contractor Information
		Contractor Meeting
		Contractor's Schedule
		Bid Forms
		Bid Analysis
		Contractor Selection Process
	Land Development Contracts
		Unit-Price Contract
		Time-and-Material Contract
		Lump Sum Not to Exceed
	Construction Document Revisions
		Field Conditions
		Better Designs
	Budget versus Actual Cost Report
		Summary
			Unanticipated Site Problems or Conditions
			Unanticipated Permitting or Approval Requirements
			Accelerated Design or Construction Schedule
			Design Changes
			Quality of Materials
			Specification Changes
			Material Shortages
			Labor Shortages
			Union Labor
			Public Bidding Process
			Issues with the Design, Cost Estimate, Bid Documents, Contractor Quotes
			Know Your Costs
	Appendix 18-1
	Appendix 18-2
	Appendix 18-3
	Appendix 18-4
	Appendix 18-5
	Appendix 18-6
	Appendix 18-7
Chapter 19: Land Development Project Management
	Communication
	Schedule
	Field Office
	Invoices and Payment
		Schedule of Values Analysis
		Payment Invoice Summary
		Release of Lien
		Payment
	Progress Meetings
	Field Extras
	Change Orders
	Appendix 19-1
	Appendix 19-2
	Appendix 19-3
	Appendix 19-4
	Appendix 19-5
	Appendix 19-6
Chapter 20: Land Development Field Operations
	Construction Surveying
	Clearing Operations
	Selective Clearing
	Earthwork Operations
	Houseline Land Development
	Erosion and Sedimentation Control
	Storm Drainage
	Utility Installations
		Electric, Phone, Gas, and Cable
		Water and Sewer
	Curb and Gutter Installations
	Pavement
	Land Development Punch Lists
	Appendix 20-1
	Appendix 20-2
	Appendix 20-3
	Appendix 20-4
Chapter 21: The Land Development Business
	Stakeholders
		Government
		Business Community
		Citizens
		Environmental Community
		Legal Community
		Political Community
		Homeowner Associations
	Business Issues
		Profits
		Reputation and Corporate Image
		Effect on Society
		Design Professionals
	Land Development Industry Changes
Chapter 22: Land Development Engineering
	Course Requirements
	Fundamentals
	Advanced Site Analysis
	Studio
	Storm Drainage Design
Index
About the Author