Land use planning provides vital information that allows our clients to understand and make informed decisions about their development options.
Data Collection
The first step is gathering data about the site and its surroundings. Topographic and detail surveys, wetlands and environmental considerations, and soils data are key factors in determining the best use of a parcel.
Regulatory Review
State, local, and federal regulations — such as zoning by-laws, wetland regulations, and stormwater management requirements — require careful review. How these regulations apply to your project, and which jurisdictional regulations apply, often determines if a project can be permitted for construction.
Careful Planning Leads to Permitting
The planners and engineers at Merrill work with these regulations on a daily basis. We know the best way to initiate and plan a project, large or small, and help clients optimize the permitting process through careful planning and development of conceptual design alternatives.
Typical Land Use Planning Services
- Development feasibility studies
- Local by-law and regulations review
- Concept planning
- Preliminary site layouts
- Presentation drawings and reports
- Traffic studies
- MEPA filings
- Land use consulting
- Aerial photography
- Wetland delineations
Recent Land Use Projects
Formerly an old gravel and sand removal site immediately adjacent to moderately dense residential development, Merrill was retained…
As the civil/site sub-consultant, working with Strekalovsky Architecture, Inc., Merrill was responsible for the civil/site plan design for…
Set on over 9 acres of original farmland in North Marshfield, this multi-unit, townhouse style development abuts conservation…
“The team at Merrill are able to take extremely complicated concepts and turn them into viable, permitted projects. Their experience, creativity, and problem-solving skills, combined with extremely high standards and ethics, translate into a great all-around experience for the client. I have worked with the Merrill team on multiple projects and have always been thrilled with their work product. It’s a pleasure to do business with them.”
Ann Pollard
Shoreline Aviation, Inc.
