Land development projects are complex. From navigating local regulations and securing entitlements to coordinating with architects and managing site constraints, there’s no shortage of roadblocks that can stall progress or inflate costs. That’s where the Land Development Consulting Group at raSmith comes in. We’re a team of experienced engineering consultants who help private sector clients bring their land development visions to life.
Since the 1970s, our consulting team has supported private development projects locally, regionally, and nationally with a practical, results-driven approach to site design. With 42 civil design professionals and a deep bench of in-house expertise, we guide land development and design projects from concept to completion, proactively turning “unknowns” into “knowns.” We lead the entitlement, permitting, and site design processes to help our clients make informed decisions and keep development projects moving forward.
Whether you’re planning a retail center, an office space, recreational park, or senior living community, our multidisciplinary team is equipped to solve problems, collaborate effectively, and deliver creative, cost-conscious solutions.
Site Design Services
- Civil engineering
- Stormwater management
- Site planning
- Entitlements & approvals
- Site due diligence
- Construction administration
- Feasibility studies
raSmith’s Engineering Development Consulting Process
We take a multi-step approach to evaluate a client’s project goals to meet their standards — and exceed their expectations.
- Site planning.
- We make sure all stakeholders are comfortable with the overall bulk of the proposed development and ability to fit on the undeveloped or redeveloped site. A creative, smart site plan will narrow down the list of likely users/tenants and enable the real estate deal to progress. Critical site planning aspects include:
- Attention to existing improvements/tenants to remain
- Environmentally sensitive areas
- Environmentally hazardous areas
- Visibility
- Stormwater requirements
- Zoning
- Site access
- Internal site operations
- Building fire rating
- Preliminary site assessment. We determine any potential pitfalls that could undermine the project. A site visit and meeting with authorities having jurisdiction will provide extensive insight as to how the onsite, offsite, and building approval and construction process are interrelated. Additionally, a review of the available geotechnical, title commitments, and environmental reports may also be performed to supplement the process.
- Due diligence. We confirm the project “unknowns” by collecting development information and performing any remaining agency-specific follow up. At a minimum, the physical due diligence includes:
- Title
- Land survey
- Phase 1 ESA
- Wetland delineation
- Preliminary traffic report
- Geotechnical investigation
- Water supply analysis
- Entitlements. We prepare construction drawings for building improvements and obtain all necessary construction permits for the building/site entitlements. Extra effort is made to ensure that any changes made to the budget, bid, and awarded contract drawings during the entitlement phase are clear and concise, and that all construction drawings capture agency comments and conditions of approval.
- Construction start. We secure all necessary non-discretionary approvals in a timely manner to ensure that construction starts promptly.
- Construction completion. We make sure the facility user can obtain the required certificate of occupancy to complete the interior buildout and ultimately open for business by the grand opening date. By monitoring the building construction progress, we will identify any requirements and notify the team in advance to ensure there are no delays.
- Operation restriction site plan. We outline the new facility’s operating procedures in a visual, scalable exhibit for facility/operations managers. The plan addresses key items including:
- Employee parking areas
- Operation hours
- Delivery time
- Delivery route
- Signage
- Water quality structure maintenance
- Lease line
- Access points
- Detention pond maintenance
- Snow storage area
- Landscape maintenance
- Outdoor sales
- Quality control. We also use a multi-step quality control (QC) process, in which every project is reviewed by the assigned 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.
