Best Practices

Site Evaluation Checklist

Excerpted and adapted from an article in The Architects Handbook of Professional Practice, 13th edition

The AIA collects and disseminates Best Practices as a service to AIA members without endorsement or recommendation. Appropriate use of the information provided is the responsibility of the reader.

A well-executed site analysis forms the essential foundation for a cost-effective, environmentally sensitive, and rational approach to project development. A checklist of the factors that may be involved in evaluating a site follows. Although lengthy, this list is not all-inclusive; new factors are added from time to time. Information is usually collected only for those items that are pertinent to a project.
P H Y S I C AL F AC T O R S

Erosion channels Extent, location, and general configuration of rocks, ledges, outcrops, ridges, drainage lines, and other unique features Visual characteristics Potential problem areas during construction: siltation, erosion, etc. Analysis of physical features, including major focal and vantage points and their relationships within, into, and out from the site Existing access and circulation Vehicular Pedestrian Vegetation Existing water bodies Location, size, depth, direction of flow Water quality: clean, polluted, anaerobic conditions, etc. Use: seasonal, year-round Wetlands: ecological features Variations: expected water levels, tides, wave action Coastal features Drainage canals: rivers, streams, marshes, lakes, ponds, etc. Natural and built Alignments and gradients Pattern and direction Existing waterway easements Surface Subsurface Surface drainage Patterns on and off the site (location of streams and washes) Proximity to floodplains Maximum flood levels Frequently flooded areas
Page 1 of 3 BP 17.03.02 May 2004

Climate Prevailing winds Direction Maximum, minimum, and average velocities Special forces (e.g., tornadoes, hurricanes) Solar orientation Sun angles Days of sunlight Cloud cover Shading of (or from) adjacent structures, natural features, and vegetation Temperature Ranges of variation Maximums and minimums Humidity Ranges of variation Maximums and minimums Precipitation Peak period totals Annual and seasonal totals Topography Legal property description, including limits of property, easement, rights of way, and north indication Topographic maps and aerial photos Contours and spot elevations Slopes: percentage, aspect, orientation Escarpments
2004 The American Institute of Architects

Best Practices

Page 2 of 3

Local watershed areas, amount of runoff collected, and location of outfalls Swampy and concave areas of land without positive drainage and other obstacles that may interrupt or obstruct natural surface drainage Potential areas for impoundments, detention/retention ponds Unique site features
G E O T E C H N I C AL / S O I L S

G E N E R AL S E R V I C E S

Fire and police protection Trash/refuse removal services Snow removal, including on-site storage
C U L T U R AL F AC T O R S

Site History Former Site Uses Hazardous dumping Landfill Old foundations Archaeological grounds History of existing structures Historic worth Affiliations Outline Location Floor elevations Type Condition Use or service Land Use, Ownership, and Control Present zoning of site and adjacent property Adjacent (surrounding) land uses Present Projected Probable effects on the development site Type of land ownership Function and pattern of land use: public domain, form type, grazing, urbanized Current Former Location, type, and size of pertinent community services Schools and churches Shopping centers Parks Municipal services Recreational facilities Banks Food services Health services Access to highways, public transportation

Basic surface soil type: sand, clay, silt, rock, shale, gravel, loam, limestone, etc. Rock and soil type: character/formation and origin Geologic formation process and parent material Inclination Bearing capacity Bedrock Depth to bedrock Bedrock classification Seismic conditions Environmental hazards
UTILITIES

Potable water Electricity Gas Telephone Cable television Sanitary sewer service Storm drainage (surface, subsurface) Fire protection
I M M E D I AT E S U R R O U N D I N G S

Neighborhood structures: buildings, satellite dishes, etc. Shading and solar access Noise from streets, emergency services, aircraft, etc. Odors Views and vistas

2004 The American Institute of Architects

BP 17.03.02 May 2004

Best Practices

Page 3 of 3

Economic Value Political jurisdictions and land costs Accepted territories Future potential Size of surrounding lots and approximate price ranges
R E G U L AT O R Y F AC T O R S

Detention/retention ponds Parks Open space requirements Park and playground requirements Screening from adjacent uses Environmental Regulations Water, sewer, recycling, solid waste disposal Clean air requirements Soil conservation Protected areas, wetlands, floodplains, coastal zones, wild and scenic areas Fish and wildlife protection Protection of archaeological resources Other Codes and Requirements Historic preservation and landmarks Architectural (design) controls Special districts Miscellaneous, e.g., mobile homes, billboards, noise Site-related items in building codes Building separation Parking and access for persons with disabilities Service and emergency vehicle access and parking
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N

Zoning Codes Permitted uses By variance By special use permits Accessory structures Minimum site area requirements Building height limits Yard (setback) requirements Lot coverage Floor area ratio (FAR) Percentage of coverage Open space requirements Off-street parking requirements Landscaping requirements Sign requirements Subdivision, Site Plan Review, and Other Local Requirements Lot requirements Size Configuration Setbacks and coverage Street requirements Widths Geometry: grades, curves Curbs and curb cuts Road construction standards Placement of utilities Dead-end streets Intersection geometry Sidewalks Names Drainage requirements Removal of spring and surface water Stream courses Land subject to flooding

See also Site Analysis, by Floyd Zimmerman, FASLA, The Architects Handbook of Professional Practice, 13th edition, Chapter 17, page 529. The Handbook can be ordered from the AIA Store by calling 800242-3837 (option 4) or by sending e-mail to bookstore@aia.org.

M O R E B E S T P R AC T I C E S

The following AIA Best Practices provide additional information related to this topic: 17.03.01 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

2004 The American Institute of Architects

BP 17.03.02 May 2004