GENERAL LAND
RELATED SERVICES
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The RUNA GROUP regard the land as a resource, and
what man places on it, shall be in harmony and balance with nature. Sensitivity to this resource is paramount. We are stewards of the land, and this parcel must live
and survive in health and any structures shall be compatible and resource
sensitive. HOME SITE COMPARISONS / REVIEWS If you have looked at a number of
land sites and are considering purchase, or even prior to looking at land
with a Realtor, evaluation of each site through professional criteria and
impartial eyes will help with determination of the right land based on your
criteria and budget. Potential land sites, for a variety
of uses, can be reviewed for their various opportunities and constraints, and
then compared. Criteria for each home site, might include; location, sphere of influence,
on-site soils, vegetation, hydrology, climate, topography, aesthetics,
historical significance, land use, physiographic obstructions and budget. SITE REVIEW AND ANALYSIS If you have tied-up a parcel and or
are considering a site purchase, a complete evaluation and analysis of the site
can be completed to ensure that this property meets your needs and budget. Always there are things the professional will see,
either positive or negative, that could influence your decision. Individual site review, based on your
predetermined land uses, can be determined through the knowledge of on and
off-site natural-resource system. Criteria for the site,
might include; location, sphere of influence, on-site soils, vegetation,
hydrology, climate, topography, aesthetics, historical significance, land
use, physiographic obstructions and budget. SITE PLANNING Once a site has been selected,
locations and relationship of buildings are extremely important. Properly situated, the building achieves harmony with
the topography, livability is enhanced, drainage problems are minimized, sun
and light, breezes and the building functional efficiencies are increased. The automobile is considered, as is circulation and
convince. This is the process of factors
affecting building and amenity location and orientation. Project
type could include, single family homes and subdivisions, multi-family,
commercial and multi-use developments. Criteria that will affect structure
and site amenity placement might include; off-site influences, sun orientation,
solar access, wind orientation, topography, slopes, gradients, noise, spatial
structure, accessibility, natural landscape, regionally, security, utilities,
and budget. UTILITY PLANNING Most rural sites require utility
planning, to best incorporate utilities with the least disruption to the land. This efficiency is also the most economic. Knowing what you want also allows you to receive the
best contractor price. Utility planning is the strategy for
both underground and overhead utility placement. Criteria is generally a balance of
efficiency, economics and aesthetics. Services
include; sewer, septic and leach field, well or water service, power,
telephone, cable and sometimes irrigation water. Agency
permitting, coordination and processing can also be a part of these services. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT / DRAINAGE DESIGN If you are planning man made
improvements on property, within Stormwater management is retaining the same amount of rainfall when
the site was natural as when it is developed. Site runoff
is controlled not allowing sediment or contaminated water to enter our stream
or lake systems. This service calculates all man-made non porous surfaces and controls runoff to allow for
percolation or evaporation. POOL / POND / STREAM / WATER QUALITY DESIGN Many times drainage affords you the
opportunity to develop a water body for agriculture water storage, fire
suppression, irrigation, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, or just plain
aesthetics. We design the physical size and shape
of water bodies, based on natural land forms and
required grading, water fill by gravity or mechanical hydraulics, filtration,
aeration, erosion, planting and pond water retention, stormwater
controls, along with general or specific water quality. LANDSCAPE RECLAMATION / REFORESTATION Many times protection of your
investment means protection of your land resource, as well as protection of
any down slope parcels or land of other owners. State
and County requirements are in place to insure the protection of land resources
and neighbors rights. Sometimes land has been abused or
heavily logged or had geologic failures or received heavy erosion. Restoration of this land is both desired and required. Many times land clean-up is possible
to include re-vegetative plantings of indigoes or introduced species of
grasses, groundcovers, shrubs and tree covers. Criteria
could include, exposure, slope aspect, groundwater,
soil types, existing tree overstory, schedule and
budget. LANDSCAPE MASTER PLANNING / GARDEN DESIGN Ideas and resources for outdoor
living and the enhancement of your site or lot. All
of your wishes work with your existing or proposed house and outbuilding
structures, as well as your budget. Landscape master
planning gives you an overall vision, which then you may then elect to
prioritize over the years. Garden design is the
specifics for your immediate priority and tasks. Landscape Master Planning might
include; entry to the site, auto arrival to the house and garage, entry to
the house, spaces and courtyards that relate to the house, shade structures
or plantings, patios, decks, outdoor dining areas, barbecue, fire rings, play
areas, growing gardens, recreation amenities, swimming pools, spas, grading,
drainage, irrigation, lighting and plantings. Landscape Master Planning looks at
the overall, or the big picture. Individual garden
design specifically focuses on a part of the Master Plan or an individual
garden. GRADING DESIGN Sensitive grading can achieve a
natural appearing site, while being aware of drainage, erosion protection,
grading procedures, operations, a balance of earth quantities and budget. Sensitivity to existing land forms or manipulating earth to create forms and
functions is grading design defined. Grading can include; road gradients,
cut and fill calculations, designing for existing drainage patterns, soil
types and structural profiles, retaining top soil, house and outbuilding
relative pad elevations and general land contouring. DOCK / SHORELINE DESIGN Good waterfront design allows user
friendly materials for access and enjoyment of a great public resource. Amenity planning, agency permits and processing as well
as construction coordination are a part of the services offered. Dock and beach design for water craft, along with the sensitivity of shoreline
protection and uses. Dock and shore protection might
include; dock design and type, material and surface selections, boat houses
and lifts, wave and wind protection, rip-rap, lake wall, lake ramps, steps,
plantings and beach design. IRRIGATION PLANNING / DESIGN Irrigation hydraulics are important
for efficient well engineered systems. Your
irrigation needs can be designed for and costs identified prior to
construction. The planning and design of irrigation
supply and systems for domestic or agrarian purposes. Planning and permitting for lake or
stream access and supply, pump systems, filtration, and controls. Irrigation design for small and large landscape acreage
or gardens. Budget planning, probable construction
costs, and or cost comparisons. EROSION CONTROL / MITIGATION Sometimes construction allows a site
to be exposed to weather and rain causing runoff and erosion. Design of temporary and permanent systems control
natures schedule and prevents soil particulate from entering water courses, or causing damage to downstream properties. Erosion control and responding
mitigation measures allows for the disturbance of land with grading and
controls sediment, caused from rainfall, from leaving the site. Controls and mitigation could
include, slope protections, plantings, temporary and permanent drainage
design, erosion sediment controls, maintenance and budgeting. SIGNAGE / LIGHTING DESIGN The night experience can be
heightened with the proper mood and accent lighting levels.
Signage also contributes greatly to the overall character and project
identity of the place. Signage and lighting is an
opportunity not only for project identification and information but can also
add to the projects character and atmosphere. Specialized planning and design might
include; physical size requirements for visibility, location, color and
material selection, coordination of planting and irrigation, budgets and
costs. PERMITS / AGENCY PROCESSING Agency understanding, permits, fees
and processing can be time consuming, sometimes intimidating, and costly. Or the process can be simple and efficient. Regulations, requirements,
applications and processing is required as a part of
the approval and construction process. Agency processing can require
Federal, State, County, User Group, Homeowner, Special Interest and Local
processing. Understanding these groups, by past
performance, professionalism, and experience makes the permit process usually
more efficient and thus less costly. |