Site Design and Engineering

Municipalities (Cities, Towns, and Counties) in the United States follow the rules and regulations established by state law and the Federal government.

The author's primary purpose is to provide residential and commercial site development guidance to property owners, developers, architects, engineers, students, and contractors to develop a sound set of approvable construction plans.

This book's information may help readers understand various agencies' rules and requirements, communicate more effectively with all parties involved, and negotiate to their advantage.

The First Chapter evaluates a suitable site for the type of development a potential property owner may seek.

The Second and Third Chapters focus on gathering the survey and geotechnical information for the site. What data and knowledge do you seek when ordering a survey and a geotechnical report?

Chapter Four provides some design information and processes following the first three chapters.

Chapter Five discusses different activities and their definitions and requirements for construction and other activities within the legal right-of-way.

Chapter Six provides information regarding single-family residential and accessory dwelling units (mother-in-law suite or apartment) and how to prepare construction plans to start the permitting process.

Chapter Seven discusses the design and construction plans for a small sixteen-lot residential subdivision, an actual site. This project starts with vacant land on the survey map to the final completed construction plans.

Chapter Eight is like Chapter Seven but looks at a nineteen-lot residential subdivision with larger lots. Their different challenges are reviewed and discussed in this chapter.

Chapter Nine presents the commercial project site improvements for a three-story chain hotel and a potential dine-in restaurant.

Chapter Ten reviews and discusses the permitting agencies' processes and requirements and provides some ideas about the needs and procedures to help the permittees have realistic expectations.

Ali Shasti is a professional engineer with over forty years of experience designing, reviewing, and permitting hundreds of residential and commercial projects in Florida and Washington. His extensive engineering experience has included supervising and training numerous engineers and technicians. Mr. Shasti resolved various issues related to the engineering design, site development, permitting, and implementation of private sector and city-initiated projects, stormwater management studies, etc.