Cultural & Human Systems

Question 1

What techniques are used to acquire site inventory and analysis data in the context of cultural and human resources?

Answer 1

interviews

focus groups

charrettes / workshops

surveys

lit and doc research

participant observation

Question 2

How is culture and human resource data collected? what are some tools?

Answer 2

using techniques borrowed from social sciences.

time lapse photography

audio recordings and interviews

visit to precedent site to draw parallel or correlating data

demographic data on exisitng or anticipated site users

Question 3

for the land use regulations assessment during inventory and analysis - what is previous land use, what data is relevant and why?

Answer 3

important to know prior use that impact site (pollution, brownfield infrastructure, ect)

jHistorical aerials and san born maps are great resources

Question 4

For land use regulations (inventory and analysis) - what are comprehensive plans, what data is relevant and why?

Answer 4

comp plans also called master plans - usually muncipalities long term future development plans

comp plans bring together comprehensive info into single planning doc - cultural resources, demographics, utilities housing ect)

Question 5

For land use and regulation inventory - describe zoning? why important

Answer 5

Zoning is land use control that limits or delineates development on a specific parcel of land

Establishes separation between non-compatible land uses and protects property owners investment, public health safety and wealthfare

Question 6

How is zoning enforced? what does it regulate?

Answer 6

forced via zoning code - described in legal documents and described via a zoning map.

Zoning regulates the following

> > permitted use of land and buildings

> > intensity of the use

> > height and dimensional standards

commonly regulates land-use, density, parking requirements and setbacks

Question 7

What is zoning code
who can adopt it

what does it include?

Answer 7

also called zoning ordiance - can be adopted by several scales of govnement - includes list of permtted uses and definitions, development standards etc

Question 8

What is a zoning overlay

Answer 8

overlays are special districts within the zoning code that offer additionally protections to specific resources.

historic overlays for example

Question 9

What is zoning commision

Answer 9

regulatory body of public officials that govern development related issues

Question 10

What is a variance?

what is not allowed in a variance?

Answer 10

allows certain restricted forms of development to be allowed due to extenuating circumstances

a variance cannot be used to alter the essential character of the zoning district in which the land is located, including allowing nonconforming use

Question 11

What is conditional use?

Answer 11

Conditional use permits are similar to variances

request approval by zoning board or commision (like a variance) however condition use permtits allow for non conforming uses to be permitted within a specific zone

typically granted when non -permitted use would benefit the general welfare of the community and aligns with comp plan

Question 12

What is floor area ratio?

Answer 12

FAR - establishes the ratio between the gross square footage of a building and the size of the lot

Question 13

In addition to land use regulation (such as zoning and comprehensive plans) what other variables impact the legal and financial aspects of site planning and development processees

Answer 13

Jurisdiction (for example juris with stringent planning reviews)

property title / ownership (

property value

easements

covenants

Question 14

Between land use &regulations AND Legal and financial aspects to be considered during inventory and analysis - list all possible legal issues that should be investigated for a site

Answer 14

Zoning classification

easements covenants and deed restictions

gov’ agencies with jurisdiction

building placement requirements (set backs etc)

allowable building area

building height FAR and footprint restrictions

parking and driveway requirements

min requirements for open space

on site recreation / environmental requirements

stormwater and erosion control requirements

landscaping requirements

required permits, planning procedures such as variances, design review, public hearings, environmental tests ect

Question 15

Describe easements and the most common types

Answer 15

an easement is the purchase of partial rights to a piece of land and requires agreement between two parties fo the purpose of a specific use

easement contracts outline duration of the contract and can restrict certain development or use

5 types are:

access easement

utility easement

conservation easement

scenic easements

solar easement

Question 16

describe covenants and their function / purpose

Answer 16

convenants (also know as deed restrictions) are consensual agreements that restrict what can be done to a private property

they place restrictions on land use that supplement any regulations established by zoning, subdivision,HOA or building codes

they are a valid contract are are legally enforcable

Question 17

What considerations of utilitiesare most relevant to LAs

Answer 17

inform where trees should be planted and/or how to screen utilities

Question 18

describe what 4 components a transportation inventory and analysis should cover for a project site?

Answer 18

Circulation

street function

traffic volume

connections and adjacencies

Question 19

What studies are typcially uses to determine the location of vehicular access points?

Wat do they take into account?

Answer 19

SITE DISTANCE studies

visibility

location of the PROPOSED access point
its relationship to other access points

the speed and volume of traffic flowing along the propsed point of access

Question 20

When analyzing circulation - what best practices should be kept in mind?

Answer 20

connectivity between inside site elemtns and those outside the site

aligning entries and exits along site periphery coordinated with entry/exit points found in surrounding areas

visible entries and exits - assess whether entries are visible and what the heiarchy is if any

site circulation should always have clear heigharchy reinforced through the design

wayfinding - use or opportunity to use clear site lines, vantage points, site landmarks, breaking up site into regions, visual language, ect that help users differentiate and navigate a space

color is BAD for wayfinding - no heiarchy, colorblind people

Question 21

What is a historic resource assessment?
3 main goals, LQS

Answer 21

documents the location quality and significance of buildings and landmarks as well the presence of archaeological sites

Question 22

TheNational Historic register of historic places assesses sites based on what criteria?

Answer 22

is site associated with events that made sig contribution to American History?

is site associated with sign historical person?

does site embody distinct characteristics of a certain time period (work of a highly skilled craftsman, unqiue method of construction, type period, artistic talent, etc)

has site yielded information important to history?

NOTE: these policies doesn’t generally cover wilderness or habitat areas

Question 23

What is site sensory data and why and how can it be documented?

Answer 23

site sensory is set of concerns that impact user experience

many are captured as quantitative data and includes:

Site character - location, scale, mix, time, movement

noise - barriers, sources, etc

odors - from nearby sites via wind patterns

visibility - view shed map- shows how well and how often a site can be seen by off site users - IMPORTANT METRIC FOR COMMERCIAL

Visual quality - concerned with aesthetic views from the site to surrounding areas, the visual quality of the site itself

Question 24

What are land use regulations

Answer 24

local plans, code and other guidance, policies or documents adopted by localities to regulate development and land-use

Question 25

Historic preservation controls might include

Answer 25

designated districts, zoning overlays, special architectural controls

Question 26

If you fail to meet setback requirements you can

Answer 26

redesign, request rezoning, apply for a variance

Question 27

What regulatory zoning controls would impact population density and single family residential areas

Answer 27

minimum lot size

not setbacks because -
not % of lot coverage because -
Not FAR because -?

Question 28

Potential land use yield in a residential setting is known as

Answer 28

dwelling units per acre