Land development can be a complicated endeavor, and a planning feasibility study is often a key first step to setting a project up for success. The further into detailed design a project gets, the more difficult and costly it can be to make changes. Our goal with a feasibility study is to provide a preliminary step before detailed design begins to help define the big picture and refine the project scope. This helps to set the parameters for design and limit the need for big changes as the project progresses.
Our planning feasibility studies vary depending on the needs of the individual projects, but often will involve:
- Reviewing proposed or potential use(s) to see what types of projects may be allowed on a specific property.
- Reviewing local codes and design standards to establish property constraints.
- Identifying potential or confirmed environmental constraints, such as wetlands, streams, or steep slopes, and informing the client of their options for working with and around these constraints.
- Reviewing title/legal constraints, such as easements, plat conditions, or CC&Rs that may encumber the property.
- Providing referrals for additional work from other consultants if needed for the project (such as surveyors, geotechnical consultants, arborists, wetland biologists, etc.), and coordinating with these consultants if their work is needed for feasibility.
- Drafting a preliminary site plan or plat plan establishing location and/or extent of new construction and/or number of lots/housing units.
- Reviewing utility connection feasibility and/or stormwater drainage feasibility.
- Outlining expected permit processes, including phasing, if needed.
- Early coordination with the local jurisdiction to verify permitting information and development scenarios.
So, when would you need a planning feasibility study?
Projects that are good candidates for feasibility studies usually fall under one of these categories:
General Development Feasibility
An owner or buyer wants to generally know what they can do with a specific piece of property.
Example: a buyer is looking at a 5-acre rural property and wants to know what their options are for developing it if they complete the purchase. For instance, could they build multiple dwelling units or a small business on the property?
Buildable Area Feasibility
A property owner or property buyer knows WHAT they want to do with a property but are not sure what their physical and regulatory parameters are.
Example: a property owner in an urban area would like to build a house and DADU, but part of the property is very steep and there sounds like there is running water nearby. They need to know if a portion of the property is considered unbuildable, and what to do about it.
Short Plat Feasibility
A property owner or property buyer would like to subdivide their property.
Example: a property owner has a property that they think can be divided into 4 lots, but needs someone to review requirements and establish a plat layout to confirm the lot number and start the subdivision process.
Single-Issue Feasibility
A property owner wants to develop their property but has one specific issue that they need to understand before deciding if they can go ahead.
Example: an owner would like to subdivide and sell the rear of their property but wants to understand if they have enough space to retain their existing house while providing a driveway access to the new lot. They need this information to make a go/no-go decision, so they request a limited study focused entirely on the feasibility of adding a driveway around the existing house. If they choose to go forward, they may request an expanded study later.
Site Constraints Review
A property owner has a specific plan for their property, but wants to ensure there are no constraints that could cause problems during permitting.
Example: an owner wants to add a 2-story addition onto their house but does not know if the addition complies with setbacks or height limitations. They request a brief site constraints review to establish the zoning standards before applying for a building permit.
If you think your project may benefit from a feasibility study, or you’d like to know more about this service, give us a call at 425-778-8500 or fill out a Request for Proposal to have someone contact you about your project.