Land Use Entitlement Planning & Development Feasibility Analysis
In California, before construction or operations of a new facility can begin, project proponents must meet a variety of national, state, and local environmental regulations. Professional environmental consultants at ECORP help project proponents understand what they are legally required to do before construction begins.
While this can be a long and arduous process without professional assistance, ECORP Consulting provides Land Use Entitlement Planning and Development Feasibility Analysis to ensure that project proponents have the information needed to meet environmental regulations including CEQA and NEPA.
Land Use Entitlement Planning
As part of the land use entitlement planning process, ECORP begins with a zoning code analysis to determine whether the land is zoned for residential, commercial, industrial, or other use. Once it’s determined that an area of land is zoned for the desired type of project, ECORP’s land use entitlement planners assess what laws, rules, regulations, and policies affect construction and land use operations at the site of the project.
We then determine what cultural resources, air quality, biological resources, noise and groundborne vibrations, and other environmental constraints could be present at a project site and how those considerations could affect the project. Finally, we work with project proponents to understand what may be required to comply with NEPA, CEQA, and other environmental regulations.
General Plan and Zoning Conformity
Of particular importance, ECORP staff works with applicants on issues related to General Plan and zoning conformity to understand the potential application of environmental review requirements (CEQA, NEPA, etc.) within the county or city, as well as the requirements of special districts or permitting entities.
Regulations often differ greatly between municipalities and districts and require specific knowledge. As part of our Land Use Entitlement Planning Services, ECORP staff will work with land owners, agency staff, and applicants to help ensure the smooth and successful identification and resolution of project issues.
Development Feasibility Analysis
ECORP staff are experienced with the preparation of a development feasibility analysis that can help applicants and/or property owners to understand timelines, milestones, and activities that may be required of a project and can help to identify costs associated with project activities. During this process, all of the information from the land use entitlement planning phase is considered to determine:
- Which particular environmental consulting services are required
- Design criteria for any buildings constructed at the site
- The time it will take to complete the legal processes required before construction can begin
- Overall estimates of the costs of environmental consulting services
- To what degree ECORP can provide the required services
- What documents have to be completed and which committees they must be submitted through
- Any other factors which affect construction or land use operations at a proposed project site
Choosing Land Use Entitlement Services
Land Use Entitlement Planning and Development Feasibility Analysis are generally performed together, though they technically constitute two distinct services. Without first knowing the laws and regulations which apply to a certain area of zoned land, there is no way to determine what environmental consulting services are required for construction and land use operations.
Contact ECORP for Land Use Entitlement Planning and Development Feasibility Analysis
At ECORP, we provide a full range of Land Use Entitlement Planning and Development Feasibility Analyses to help project proponents figure out the legal requirements and environmental regulations that must be met before beginning their project.
Contact ECORP today to discuss your project and learn more about our Land Use Entitlement Planning and Development Feasibility Analysis.