If you’re planning to develop a property, an important early step is to work with a firm that specializes in land planning. Before you search for and identify the firm you’d like to work with for land planning services in Idaho, you should understand the land planning process and the responsibilities of the firm you’ll be working with.
What does a land planner do?
A land planner sets the location of properties, including buildings, open spaces, streets and more.
They must be familiar with the surrounding land and any related regulations, as well as have an understanding of how humans can most effectively and efficiently use a particular space.
What types of considerations does a land planner make?
When you work with a land planner as you develop your property, the land planner focuses on a number of other aspects beyond the building or property itself.
They consider such factors as the character of the neighborhood, whether all businesses nearby are located in a fashion that provides the most amount of exposure to potential customers, if the walking paths through the neighborhood can be safely accessed and more.
How does an engineering land planner differ from an architectural land planner?
Generally, an engineering land planner will approach the buildings as “pads” or rectangles. They will consider the proposed structure for the buildings in relation to potential grading issues or drainage concerns.
An architectural land planner will likely focus more on the architectural quality of a property and less on potential utility issues.
Is a land planner the same thing as a city planner?
You may have heard the term “city planner” before, but perhaps the concept of a land planner is new to you. These two roles are different.
City planners are responsible for regulations regarding land that is being developed. Land planners create the design for the land being developed, which they submit to a city planner to review and move through the approval process.
How do technology and sustainability factor into land planning?
While land planners use technology, such as computer software, as part of their work process, they cannot rely on technology alone. They must also evaluate and work with the property from the perspective of human experience, rather than strictly running numbers and relying on software calculations.
A land planner can incorporate a developer’s desire for sustainability into their work, but the land planner cannot create a sustainable property on their own. In this scenario, they would work with other consultants involved in the development process to bring in the skill sets and knowledge from a combination of experts.
Now that you have a context and background for land planning services in Idaho and what they entail, you’re ready to seek out a land planning professional to help ensure the success of your property both now and for years to come. We welcome you to contact our team of professionals at Mason & Stanfield, Inc., to discuss your project or to learn more about our services. Contact us today at 208-454-0256!