Site Inventory PDF

SITE INVENTORY Subtitle  Site Inventory Context-sensitive site planning requires an understanding of relevant site and contextual attributes. One set of attribute data may be useful for siting one particular activity or land use; whereas, a different set of...

SITE INVENTORY Subtitle  Site Inventory Context-sensitive site planning requires an understanding of relevant site and contextual attributes. One set of attribute data may be useful for siting one particular activity or land use; whereas, a different set of attributes may be useful for siting other uses. 2 9/17/2023 Add a footer 3 9/17/2023 Add a footer Site Inventory: Physical Attributes The site inventory is an essential step in understanding the character of the site and the physical, biological, and cultural linkages between the site and the surrounding landscape. Land development, restoration, and management require a broad knowledge of, and appreciation for, environmental and cultural systems.  Site Inventory: Physical Attributes PARCEL SIZE AND SHAPE Parcel size or area is an inherent constraint on a site’s development potential. If all other Factors are equal, larger sites can accommodate more extensive and more diverse development than smaller sites. On smaller sites, external factors are more likely to directly impact the potential uses of the site. Larger sites, therefore, may allow greater flexibility in accessing the site and in accommodating program elements on the site. The shape of the site can have an impact on reducing development potential and design flexibility. This is especially true on smaller sites and on narrow, linear sites that have a higher edge-to-interior ratio than properties that are more compact in shape (Figure 5-2).  Site Inventory: Physical Attributes TOPOGRAPHY These maps graphically depict elevation, slope, and aspect— three fundamental landform components. Site elevations, for example, affect both drainage patterns and visibility. Variation of elevation on a site and the surrounding landscape determines the size and spatial configuration of local viewsheds. Elevation data are typically portrayed as contour lines on topographic maps. Site Inventory: Physical Attributes Slope slopes, are the result of constructional processes (for example, deposition) and destructional processes (for example, erosion) acting on geologic structures (Bloom, 1978). A site’s suitability for roads, walkways, buildings, and other structures is, in part, a function of the existing slopes on the site. Different colors are typically used to identify different slope classes (Figure 5-5). Site Inventory: Physical Attributes Aspect A slope’s orientation, or aspect, is simply the direction that the slope faces. Aspect is typically identified, therefore, by compass direction (for example, north or northeast).  GEOLOGY Soil formation, soil erosion, and soil deposition are natural processes that involve rock fragmentation and weathering. Weathering occurs unevenly because of variations in the bedrock’s chemical composition and structure. A geologic map shows the age and distribution of rock layers and other geologic materials. These attributes influence a site’s suitability for excavation and grading, wastewater disposal, groundwater supply, pond construction, and other common land development objectives (Way, 1978). Geologic maps also show locations that are susceptible to earthquakes landslides, and other hazards. 9 9/17/2023 Add a footer  GEOLOGY 10 9/17/2023 Add a footer  SOILS Physical, biological, and often cultural factors influence soil genesis and morphology. ❑ Physical - Climate, parent material, and landform position are key physical factors. ❑ Biological - include the growth, death, and decomposition of vegetation, microorganisms, and other biota living above ground or within the soil itself. ❑ Cultural - Soil properties are also affected by previous land use (Ferguson, 1999). Depending on the site’s location and the intended program, soil attributes that an inventory may consider include the following: ❑ Acidity/alkalinity (pH) ❑ Permeability ❑ Erosion potential ❑ Depth to seasonally high-water table ❑ Depth-to-bedrock 11 9/17/2023 Add a footer  SOILS General suitability of different soil types, for the proposed site uses, can be portrayed with chloropleth maps. Soil Map of Bukidnon Province 12 9/17/2023 Add a footer  HYDROLOGY A science that encompasses the occurrence, distribution, movement and properties of the waters of the earth and their relationship with the environment within each phase of the hydrologic cycle. Water circulates in the environment through: ❑precipitation, ❑overland flow, ❑infiltration, ❑storage, ❑ evapotranspiration. 13 9/17/2023 Add a footer  HYDROLOGY Any site-disturbing activities can increase the risks of flooding, erosion, and other ecological impacts to properties ‘‘downstream.’’ Urban development can have significant impacts on local and regional hydrology, including the following (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1993): ❑Increased volumes and rates of runoff discharges ❑Reduced time needed for runoff to reach surface waters ❑Increased frequency and severity of flooding ❑Reduced streamflow during prolonged periods of dry weather 14 9/17/2023 Add a footer  HYDROLOGY Water movement, infiltration, storage, and discharge should be considered in the site inventory of physical attributes. This assessment of hydrologic conditions requires consideration of the site’s surface and subsurface features. Characterizing surface conditions involves the analysis of topography, vegetation, surface water distribution, land use, climate, and soil- forming processes and deposits (Kolm, 1996). Hydrologic maps may also locate the primary paths of groundwater flow and the locations of groundwater discharge to the surface. Hydrologists or geological engineers assess aquifer permeability, thickness, and discontinuities. 15 9/17/2023 Add a footer 16 9/17/2023 Add a footer 17 9/17/2023 Add a footer  CLIMATE Atmospheric conditions that may influence site planning and design decisions include: ⮚precipitation, ⮚air temperature, ⮚solar incidence, ⮚wind direction, ⮚wind speed. These attributes vary annually, seasonally, and daily. Collectively, these data include the following: ⮚Temperature (maximum, minimum, and day/night temperature variation) ⮚Humidity (high, low, and averages) ⮚Wind (maximum, average velocity, and direction) ⮚Rainfall (monthly total and maximum for any one day) ⮚Solar radiation (monthly average) ⮚Potential natural hazards 18 9/17/2023 Add a footer  CLIMATE Microclimate It has a particularly important effect on two aspects of the built environment: ⮚energy consumption for the heating and cooling of buildings, ⮚the comfort of people in outdoor settings. Both energy consumption and microclimate are influenced, however, by the spatial organization and orientation of buildings, structures, and outdoor spaces. Energy consumption for heating and cooling buildings can be reduced through both passive and active solar designs. ⮚Orientation of fenestration ⮚Windbreaks ⮚Sun buffers ⮚vegetation 19 9/17/2023 Add a footer  CLIMATE 20 9/17/2023 Add a footer  CLIMATE Microclimate Importance of Vegetation: ⮚Shade trees intercept the solar radiation that would otherwise strike pavement, rooftops, and other inorganic surfaces. ⮚Leaves of plants also tend to cool air temperatures through evapotranspiration. ⮚plants can improve air quality by removing certain chemical pollutants ⮚add oxygen to the atmosphere. 21 9/17/2023 Add a footer  CLIMATE Brown and Gillespie (1995) recommend a process for mapping site microclimate that identifies the site’s exposure to both solar radiation and wind. 22 9/17/2023 Add a footer  NATURAL HAZARDS Natural hazards include atmospheric, hydrologic, geologic, and wildfire events that, because of their location, severity, and frequency, have the potential to adversely impact humans, their structures, or their activities. These natural phenomena present significant risks to human life and property. Typically, little can be done to control these potentially destructive forces. The most practical solution, therefore, is to avoid development of areas that are most at risk. 23 9/17/2023 Add a footer Biological Attributes SITE INVENTORY  BIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES Landscapes have both biotic and abiotic components, and their structure and ecological function are influenced by the complex interplay of biological, cultural, and physical factors. Mapping a site’s key biological attributes is an important part of the site inventory. Identifying these resources helps to protect the ecological integrity of the site during and after the plan’s implementation. 25 9/17/2023 Add a footer  Habitat Fragmentation Human activities such as agriculture, forestry, and urban development have dramatically altered the structure and ecological function of many, if not most, of the landscapes in heavily civilized parts of the continents. Continuing land use changes may destroy some habitats but also fragment and functionally disconnect others. Natural corridors in the landscape facilitate the movement of organisms between habitats. Existing corridors, therefore, are particularly important elements in most landscapes and require protection to help maintain biodiversity and ecosystem connectivity. 26 9/17/2023 Add a footer  Habitat Fragmentation Large-scale (for example, 1:1,200) aerial photographs can facilitate even more detailed land cover mapping. Color infrared photographs are helpful, for example, in identifying differences in vegetation health and vigor. A chloropleth map can show the locations of significant site vegetation. 27 9/17/2023 Add a footer  TREES Trees on a site are assets that can yield multiple ecological, economic, and social benefits. Trees provide shade and can reduce heating and cooling costs of nearby buildings. By providing a significant natural amenity, trees also can increase the value of real estate by as much as 15 percent (National Association of Home Builders, 1991). Four factors to consider in evaluating the economic value of trees (Perry, 1999): ○ Tree size ○ Tree species (hardy, well-adapted species are worth most) ○ Tree condition or health (for example, roots, trunks, branches, leaves) ○ Tree location (functional and aesthetic values) 28 9/17/2023 Add a footer  TREES Tree inventories commonly record information on the size, species, and location of the site’s significant trees. Tree size is measured by the diameter of the trunk at breast height (dbh). Global positioning systems (GPS) provide another way to map communities and individual specimen trees. 29 9/17/2023 Add a footer  WILDLIFE Conserving wildlife habitats within our built environments has many benefits. For example, many bird species are prolific consumers of insects—particularly insects that are pests to humans. Birds also have significant aesthetic value, bringing satisfaction to avid bird watchers and casual observers alike. 30 9/17/2023 Add a footer  WILDLIFE Maps typically show the geographic range where the habitats and individuals of these species are likely to be present. Site level data on wildlife distributions are typically acquired through field studies by qualified biologists. 31 9/17/2023 Add a footer Cultural Attributes Site Inventory:  Site Inventory: Cultural Attributes All land use changes occur within a cultural context. Creating, or maintaining, a ‘‘sense of place’’ hinges on understanding and responding to site context (Hough, 1990, Beatley and Manning, 1997). For example, by adopting forms and materials that are common in the region or community, sense of place can be strengthened. Development that ‘‘fits’’the site is adapted to the site’s unique character and context. An inventory of relevant cultural attributes typically addresses a wide range of social, economic, and legal factors. 33 9/17/2023 Add a footer  LAND USE AND TENURE Prior and Current Land Use Prior land use on a site may influence development suitability in a variety of ways. Knowledge that a site was previously used for industrial or commercial uses, for example, could indicate that chemicals and other toxic wastes remain on the site, either above or below ground. When considering brownfield sites for redevelopment, the sites should be carefully assessed prior to purchase and detailed planning and design. In assessing a site’s land use context, attributes that might be documented include the following: ○Land use types (for example, residential, commercial, industrial) ○Land use intensities (for example, building heights or number of stories, dwelling units per acre/hectare, average daily vehicle traffic) 34 9/17/2023 Add a footer  LAND USE AND TENURE Land Ownership These records may include a certified survey map of the parcel boundaries, a history of land ownership, and any deed restrictions or covenants associated with the property. Digital parcel data are becoming increasingly common. 35 9/17/2023 Add a footer  LAND-USE REGULATION A site inventory must consider the legal context for site planning and design decisions. Yet legal context varies widely at the local, the state or regional, and—especially—the national scale. The site inventory documents the legal constraints that limit or, in other ways, influence the future uses of the site. Local Plans and Regulations Zoning Codes Zoning codes are a common form of land use regulation at the local level. A zoning map may have hundreds of districts in which certain uses are permitted and other uses are prohibited. 36 9/17/2023 Add a footer  LAND-USE REGULATION Zoning Codes Legal issues that should be investigated for each site include the following (White, 1983, and Garvin, 1996): ○ Zoning classification (permitted land uses and densities) ○ Easements, covenants, and other deed restrictions ○ Government agencies with jurisdiction over the property ○ Building placement requirements (required setbacks from property boundaries) ○ Allowable buildable area ○ Building height, bulk, floor-area ratio, or footprint restrictions ○ Parking and driveway requirements ○ Minimum requirements for open space (public and private) ○ On-site recreation or environmental requirements ○ Stormwater management and erosion control requirements ○ Landscaping requirements ○ Required special permits, regulations, and planning procedures (for example, variances, design review, public hearings, environmental tests/data) 37 9/17/2023 Add a footer  LAND-USE REGULATION Conventional or ‘‘Euclidean’’ zoning contributes to urban sprawl by: ○ Rigidly separating residential uses from non-residential uses, ○ Fostering land consumptive development patterns that make transportation by walking or public transit virtually impractical. 38 9/17/2023 Add a footer  PROPERTY VALUE Property appraisers consider the following attributes of the site: ○ Improvements made to the site, such as buildings and other structures. ○ Value of nearby properties, ○ Adjacent street traffic, ○ Environmental amenities ○ Cultural or built amenities. ○ Scenic off-site views of the built or natural environments. 39 9/17/2023 Add a footer  PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE The built environment is a complex array of private and public buildings, open spaces, and infrastructure. The public infrastructure includes streets, other transportation systems, and vast utility networks (for example, sanitary sewerage and potable water). The location and type of utility networks present or adjacent to the site are important information in the site planning process. 40 9/17/2023 Add a footer  PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE Circulation Understanding existing circulation patterns is an important part of the site inventory process. Many mistakes have been made in both site planning and architectural design because established pedestrian and vehicle circulation patterns were either ignored or poorly understood. Site planners usually have leeway in determining how and where pedestrians enter a site, so existing circulation patterns must be taken into account. 41 9/17/2023 Add a footer  PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE Circulation Failure to anticipate ‘‘desire lines’’ between existing and/or proposed entrances to the site, to buildings, or to other activity areas can create dangerous pedestrian–vehicle conflicts. The location of adjacent streets, driveways, drop-off zones, service areas, and parking lots is contextual information that often influences the spatial organization of the site plan. Michigan State University didn’t put in pavements when new buildings were created. Instead, it waited for students to create their own paths. Photograph: 42 9/17/2023 Add a footer USGS © 2011 Microsoft Corporation  BUILDING AND NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER Kevin Lynch (1960), in The Image of the City, proposed a typology to explain how people form cognitive maps, or mental images, of the built environment. The five functional elements, with examples of each, are as follows: ○ Edges (for example, shorelines, roads, and hedgerows) ○ Paths (for example, streets and walkways) ○ Districts (for example, neighborhoods) ○ Nodes (for example, entrances, plazas, and street and walkway intersections) ○ Landmarks (for example, unique buildings, structures, and natural features) 43 9/17/2023 Add a footer  BUILDING AND NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER In documenting a typology of building types within a commercial district, for example, the following building attributes may be analyzed (Pregliasco, 1988, p.15): ○ Height ○ Width ○ Setback ○ Proportion of openings ○ Horizontal rhythms ○ Roof form ○ Materials ○ Color ○ Sidewalk coverings ○ Signs These building attributes are typically documented with photographs, annotated street elevations and sections, and maps. 44 9/17/2023 Add a footer  BUILDING AND NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER Figure-ground mapping is an effective technique for visually assessing the texture or ‘‘grain’’ of development near a site. This is a graphic method of portraying building patterns on or near a site (Figure 7-4). It involves mapping just two elements: building footprints and the spaces between the buildings. The pattern of solids and voids reveals the texture or sense of enclosure or openness of the built environment surrounding the site. 45 9/17/2023 Add a footer  HISTORIC RESOURCES Cultural resource assessments document the location, quality, and historic significance of buildings and other human- made elements, as well as prior land uses. Historic resources include bridges, buildings, walls, signs, and many other significant structures or elements built in previous eras. In inventories of cultural resources, historic districts may be mapped to illustrate the site’s cultural context. Historic districts may be mapped by local planning agencies as zoning ‘‘overlay districts,’’ with special local land use controls. 46 9/17/2023 Add a footer 47 9/17/2023 Add a footer  SENSORY PERCEPTION Visibility A commercial project, for example, may benefit from good visibility to the site from adjacent streets, highways, and other off- site locations. Visibility is a form of advertising, and this site attribute is typically reflected in increased purchase prices or rental incomes. A visibility (or viewshed) map graphically shows the locations that can be seen from an individual viewing point. 48 9/17/2023 Add a footer  SENSORY PERCEPTION Visual Quality Two approaches, or paradigms, have been utilized in assessing landscape visual quality. Objectivist approach ○ Assumes visual quality (or lack thereof) is an inherent landscape attribute, ○ Relies on experts in landscape aesthetics. ○ Take into account an area’s scenic qualities, or visible attributes, which include form, proportion, line, color, and texture. Subjectivist approach ○ Subjectivist approach assumes that visual quality is merely in the eyes of the beholder ○ Shuns evaluations by trained experts in design or aesthetics. ○ Relies on a representative, often randomly selected, group of individuals who provide their assessments of scenic quality. (Lothian, 1999). 49 9/17/2023 Add a footer  SENSORY PERCEPTION 50 9/17/2023 Add a footer  SENSORY PERCEPTION Noise and Odors Noise—or lack of noise—has a significant impact on perceptual quality and recreational experiences in outdoor environments. Noise can be described in terms of intensity (perceived as loudness) and frequency (perceived as pitch). Sound intensity is measured as sound pressure level (SPL) on a logarithmic decibel (dB) scale. Odors also may pose a problem with sites near large industrial or animal confinement operations. The direction of the prevailing breezes is a particularly important attribute to consider when planning land development in the vicinity of these and other odor producing activities. 51 9/17/2023 Add a footer  REFERENCE: 52