2-Site & Environmental Analysis

Question 1

Define “Easement”

Answer 1

Legal right to make limited use of the land of another as for right-of-way or as for light and air

Question 2

Define “Right-of-way”

Answer 2

Legal rights granted to a party or public to traverse another’s land as for access to or the construction and maintenance of utility lines

Question 3

Is building height restricted by municipal bylaws, Building code, or both?

Answer 3

Both

Question 4

Are projections allowed in the setbacks?

Answer 4

Most likely. There might be a maximum though. To be check with the bylaws

Question 5

What is a legal description? What’s in it?

Answer 5

description of real estate that can sufficiently identify it for legal purposes.

A professional land surveyor, as impartial 3rd party, creates legal descriptions of property.

example:

SE-12-20-33-W1

South East quarter of Section 12,

Township 20, Range 33, West of the first meridian

Question 6

What is bonusing? What is a synonym of bonusing?

Answer 6

Bonusing (also called Floor Area Relaxation (FAR)): Way to get higher density in exchange for amenities, affordable housing, public space, public art, etc.

Question 7

Why do a city manage its growth?

Answer 7

Make sure the services and infrastructures can support the new building

Question 8

Why do the water table height is important for the evaluation of the site?

Answer 8

Water decrease the bearing capacity of the ground. It will therefore have an influence on the foundations of the building. Excessive water at the foundation will increase the hydrostatic pressure on the foundation (increase the risk of infiltrations).

Question 9

True or false? Close contour lines mean a gentle slope.

Answer 9

False. Close lines=steep slope; spaced lines=gentle slope

Question 10

Why is the site drainage essential?

Answer 10

to prevent erosion and collect/redirect excess of water (surface water or groundwater) from the building.

Question 11

Define Subsurface drainage.

Answer 11

Networks of pipes directing underground waters to a point of disposal. Storm sewer water or natural outfall at a lower elevation.

Question 12

Define surface drainage.

Answer 12

grading and surfacing of a site to divert rain and other surface water into natural drainage patterns or municipal storm sewer system

Question 13

What is a dry well?

Answer 13

Drainage pit lined with gravel or rubble to receive surface water and allow it to percolate away to absorbent earth underground.

Question 14

What are the recommend slopes for swales (grass and paved)?

Answer 14

Grass swale: 1.5-2%
Paved swale: 4-6%

Question 15

What is a French drain?

Answer 15

Trench filled to ground level with loose stone or rock to redirect water and protect an area (usually foundations).

Question 16

True or false? seismic considerations are part of a geotech report?

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Which is not part of a survey? Erosion channels, elevation of floors of adjacent building, contaminated soil, setbacks from property line

Answer 17

Contaminated soils

Question 18

The design for a new building requires the building to be located 3.79 m from a side property line. The zoning bylaw requires a 4.0 m side yard setback. Which of the following is an appropriate procedure to address this non-conforming setback?*
A) Proceed as designed because the variance is within 5% of the requirement
B) Proceed as designed because the variance is within 10% of the requirement
C) Seek approval for a revision to the Official Plan
D) Seek approval for a variance of the specific requirement of the zoning bylaw

Answer 18

D) Seek approval for a variance of the specific requirement of the zoning bylaw

Question 19

Which is included in a geotech report?
A) Surface condition, Hazardous materials, Settlement considerations, methane & radon considerations
B) Surface considerations, settlement consideration, legal description, methane & radon considerations
C) Surface considerations, settlement consideration, legal description, underground services
D) Surface considerations, settlement consideration, property lines, methane & radon considerations

Answer 19

B) Surface considerations, settlement consideration, legal description, methane & radon considerations

Question 20

What’s in a land survey? (15)

Answer 20

• Ground elevation (Legal description, Property lines, Dimensions)
• North indicator
• Topography (Contour lines, Erosion channels, Ditches and swales)
• Built surfaces (Existing structures, poles, fences, Hard surfaces,Landscaping, water bodies)
• Underground services (Electric, phone, tv, water gas, Sanitary, Sewer, Other pipeline, tunnels)
• Streets & sidewalks
• Material
• Locations, elevation
• Inverts, manholes, catch basins
• Adjacent properties
• Easements
• Rights-of ways
• Elevations
• Spot elevations to indicate surface drainage

Question 21

Describe the impact of universal accessibility on site design.

Answer 21

Barrier free circulation must be planned throughout the project from site to emergency exits.

Site:

• Parking, width and location
• Curbs
• Type of surface, slip-resistance
• Path of travel
• Turnaround width
• Slopes

Question 22

What are the % slope for impervius, permeable and swale

Answer 22

Impervious surfaces
-2% min
-2-3% Recommended
Permeable surfaces
-5% min
-1.5-10% Recommended
Swale: depression formed by the intersection of two ground slope designed to redirect or divert runoff of surface water.
-Grass swale: 1.5-2%
-Paved swale: 4-6%

Question 23

List the physical factors related to site planning. (chop)(6)

Answer 23

1. Climate
2. Topography
3. Geo / Soils
4. Utilities
5. Immediate Surroundings
6. General Services

Question 24

List the cultural factors related to site planning. (chop)(3+2)

Answer 24

CULTURAL

1. Site History
2. Land Use, ownership / control
3. Economic Value
4. Archeology research
5. Existing building

Question 25

List the regulatory factors related to site planning. (chop)(4)

Answer 25

REGULATORY FACTORS: 1. Zoning Codes 2. Subdivision, Site Plan, local requirements 3. Environmental Regulations 4. Other Codes, bylaws, requirements

Question 26

List impacts of wind on a building/site (5)

Answer 26

1. Positive pressure on windward side & negative pressure (suction) on Leeward side. 2. Outlets as large or larger than inlets for MAX AIRFLOW • Roof overhangs increase air intake 3. Window overhangs direct air up 4. Windbreaks on windward side key in cold climates 5. Wind shadow on windward and leeward side of any break or building

Question 27

How would you calculate a windward & leeward wind shadow created by a wind break? What 2 eddys are created on either side?

Answer 27

``` Windward = 2-5\*H & creates a pressure eddy Leeward = 10-15\*H & creates a suction eddy ```

Question 28

Describe the Azimuth / Altitude / Solstice / Equinox.

Answer 28

**Azimuth** - angle of deviation from true south along the horizon **Altitude** - angular elevation of sun above horizon (rise of the sun into the sky ) **Solstice** - Shortest(W) or longest(S) path of sun from East to West * Winter = closest to South/lowest altitude * Summer = furthest to South/highest altitude **Equinox -** Fall / spring = btwn winter / summer

Question 29

What is the effect of large bodies on water on or near a site?

Answer 29

1. **heat reservoirs** (Suck up heat during day and radiate heat at night) 2. Provide evap cooling effect 3. Increase wind load ( salty= corrosion)

Question 30

For a TEMPERATE climate type (Region) describe the ideal form and orientation for a building:

Answer 30

* ***Minimize E/W Exposure*** as they are cooler in winter & hotter in summer Form: ***RECTILINEAR***

Question 31

List the following grade slopes and their implications on building construction: 1. Max slope before activities are difficult 2. Ideal range for activities 3. Max. slope before erosion occurs 4. min slope for drainage 5. Range where activities are not too difficult

Answer 31

1. \>10% (expensive to build on) 2. \<5% (easy to build on) 3. 25% (hard to build on) 4. 1-2% 5. 5-10%

Question 32

What effect will vines have on a building? (3)

Answer 32

1. reduce heat gain on walls 2. provide shade 3. provide evaporative cooling

Question 33

List the 8 key pieces of information found in a geotech report:

Answer 33

1. Bearing capacity of soil 2. Foundation design recommendation 3. Seismic recommendations 4. Compaction of soil 5. Lateral strength (active/passive, coefficient of friction) 6. Permeability 7. Frost Depth 8. Methane & Radon considerations

Question 34

List 5 major types of information provided in an ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT.

Answer 34

1. **Physical** environment - existing structures, grades, surrounding uses, wells 2. **Geology, Hydrology & morphology** 3. Flora/fauna & **Biophysical** wetlands, drainage, wells, sewage, flooding 4. Historical Uses - maps/aerial photos etc 5. Presence of **contamination**: Hazmat, PCB, ACMs, ASTs, USTs, Radon, Lead, Waste

Question 35

What is considered a high water table and how can it be mitigated?

Answer 35

High Water Table (6-8' below grade) - * Dewater & Granular Fill required

Question 36

What is considered POOR SOIL on a geo report and how can this be mitigated?

Answer 36

Poor Soils: Peat, clay, silt, or fine water bearing sands. * Pile foundations