Preliminary Land Development

As a land developer or a manager of constructionThe zoning of the property is what the controlling
for a land development project, no difference ifgovernmental body, whether city, town or
you are developing a commercial building or acounty, assigns the type of construction that
single custom residential home or a masterplannedthey will permit for the corresponding land.
community with several municipalities to please, itNumerous times this is an expensive and
should be kept in mind that there are manyburdensome process including planners, engineers,
procedures, processes, and obstacles as youand lawyers to name a few. Should the builder
continue through the process of the developmentwant to provide a retail center on what the city
project. It is pertinent to be conscientious of thehas designated as agricultural land, he can expect
issues that could possibly place the project onan uphill battle not only with the presiding
financial uncertainty.members of the city, but also the local neighbors.
Prior to considering any development project andZoning consideration should be factored in before
distributing monies for that project, it is importantbuying the property.o UTILITIES
to have the following questions and apprehensionsThe location and serviceability of local utilities such
answered:o SURVEYas water, sewer, electric, phone, cable, fire, trash,
A record of survey should be provided by theand police can also be a expensive and protracted
seller of the land or by his/her delegate. Shouldventure should they not be supplied to the
this not be accessible because the presentproperty. Simple research of the local utility
proprietor has not completed this, than it isproviders will get the developer miles ahead in
noteworthy that one is completed. The buyer willunderstanding what they can build or if it is
want to confirm that the price per acre isreasonable at that time. An example of this could
consistent with the acreage of the property andbe that there is water to the property, but not
is also consistent with the title report. Anothersufficient pressure in the system requiring booster
item to mull over is to have both an ALTAstations or sewer is located near the property,
survey and a topographic survey completed. Anbut there is insufficient capacity and thus the
ALTA will provide the purchaser with existingdeveloper would need to increase the capacity at
easements, right of ways, and utilities that arethe waste water treatment plant.
adjacent or bisect the property. The topographicThere are numerous items to consider as well
survey offers a depiction of the contours of thewhen establishing the preliminary feasibility of a
site and furnishes the buyer a better perspectivedevelopment. The present conditions shown in the
of high and low points. Having an unknownsurvey with utilities and the zoning, a developer
easement dedicated or topographic that would becan get an improved understanding of the
impractical to grade could destroy alikelihood of the forthcoming development.
development.o ZONING