Site design projects are inherently complex. Navigating local regulations; securing entitlements; coordinating among developers, property owners, architects, and general contractors—all while addressing site constraints—presents countless challenges. Any one of these factors can delay progress or drive up costs. That’s why raSmith’s land development consulting experts are involved from the start. Our experienced engineering consultants work closely with private sector clients to bring land development visions to life – with efficiency, strategic insight, and practical know-how.
The Site Design Group at raSmith has built a strong reputation for excellence in private sector land development since the 1970s – locally, regionally, and nationally. With 33 civil design professionals, we offer the expertise, scale and real estate development mindset needed to turn “unknowns” into “knowns” early in the process.
We take the lead on site design, permitting, and the entitlement process to help our clients make critical decisions throughout the life of a project. Our strong collaboration with the developer, architect, general contractor, and municipality —combined with a deep understanding of site construction – allows us to develop creative, cost-effective solutions for projects of all sizes, both locally and nationally.
We offer a full continuum of services from due diligence through construction administration. Our in-house resources enable us to draw from a wide variety of disciplines, including land surveying, landscape architecture, structural engineering, traffic analysis, stormwater management, wetland delineation, LiDAR (3D laser scanning), and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) services. Our team delivers site design, planning, and landscape architecture services across a diverse mix of project types--from retail & mixed-use to entertainment & hospitality, higher education & K-12, residential, industrial, civic & community, parks & recreation, senior living, health care, and more.
Site Design Services
- Civil engineering
- Stormwater management
- Site planning
- Entitlements & approvals
- Site due diligence
- Construction administration
- Feasibility studies
raSmith’s Site Design & Land Development Consulting Process
What Sets Our Team Apart
Our proven, multi-step process is designed to align with your project goals, meet all technical and regulatory standards—and exceed expectations.
- Preliminary site assessment. We identify early-stage challenges that may affect the project’s viability. This includes a thorough site visit, early coordination with authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), as well as a review of available geotechnical, environmental, and title documentation.
- Due diligence. We resolve development uncertainties by performing a thorough due diligence process and through proactive coordination with relevant agencies. At a minimum, core due diligence tasks often include:
- Title review
- Land survey
- Phase 1 ESA
- Wetland delineation
- Preliminary traffic report
- Water supply analysis
- Site planning. We develop thoughtful, well-informed site plans that align stakeholder interests and address the physical and regulatory realities of the site. Our planning process considers a range of constraints and opportunities to lay the groundwork for a successful design and development effort.
- Existing structures and on-site uses
- Environmentally sensitive or hazardous areas
- Visibility and site access
- Zoning and stormwater requirements
- Site operations (circulation, loading, and service needs)
- Entitlements, design, and permitting. We lead the entitlement process by preparing detailed site and civil engineering plans, securing permits, and aligning all engineering documents with agency feedback and conditions of approval.
- Construction coordination support. We assist the project team by responding to contractor questions during construction, clarifying engineering plans, and addressing site-related issues that may arise. Our involvement helps ensure that the design intent is maintained throughout the construction phase.
- Quality control. We also use a multi-step quality control process (QC), in which every project is reviewed by the assigned project engineer, senior engineer, and project manager to ensure accuracy. This QC process and our overall project approach help reduce project unknowns, minimize costs, and maintain the integrity of the design and operations for a successful project.
