Our code for platting says waterproof ink for mylars.
I try and follow code and so we have had copies made over the years and now we are looking to purchase a laser plotter.
I brought this up to our local review agency and they looked at me with the usual blank stare and wouldn’t comment.
I know that other surveyors in the area just turn in inkjet plots for mylars. Not even fixative.
My question for you guys is – In your experience, are you expected to follow code / statutes /rules to the letter in your business, or is it more like - you do what you think is sufficient for the job and rely on relationships to get things through the system?
I find the same thing happening with construction requirements on most all of the projects I am involved with. Most companies have no idea what the spec says they are just doing what they can to “get by” or in some cases get away with.
curious
> My question for you guys is – In your experience, are you expected to follow code / statutes /rules to the letter in your business, ?
No. If you followed all rules and regs to the letter, you would cost your clients lots of additional money. You need to learn what the planning departments and the review agencies actually need instead of relying on the written regs. Stupid rules and plan requirements need to be politely questioned to determine intent.
In your example, "about waterproof ink) ... the plans will be scanned anyway, then why do they need waterproof ink?
> My question for you guys is – In your experience, are you expected to follow code / statutes /rules to the letter in your business, or is it more like - you do what you think is sufficient for the job and rely on relationships to get things through the system?
Yes, you follow all the rules here or you will not get through the system. Plus you do not want to give any other PLS a reason to point a finger at you.
Our state and borough require it for archival standards. I haven’t heard that this has been relaxed due to digital technology but maybe it should be.
One of our rules is a 2" binding strip on the left, even though the plats have not been bound into books in years - they are all scanned and the originals either returned or recycled. I can't think of one good reason for keeping that 2" binding strip, but it is a rule.
Scott
I'm not talking about violating survey standards, I'm talking about unreasonable requirements from planning boards (for subdivision approval) or unreasonable engineering plan requirements (for septic or other engineering plans that require local or state review).
For example, one of the towns in the area has a written rule that says "All wells, septic systems and buildings on abutting lots must be depicted on the plan". Taken literally, the rule would require locating buildings and septic systems thousands of feet away if the subject property abuts a large acreage parcel. We simply put the note: No Buildings or septic systems are located on adjacent lots within 75 feet of the property lines" and they get approved.
On Underground Fuel Tank plans, the regulations state that a Cut-sheet must be attached to the plan package for each piece of equipment proposed on the plan (overfill protection, alarms, monitors, valves, pumps, etc.) In reality the reviewers only want cut-sheets on uncommon equipment or they would be flooded with paperwork on each submission.
> .... they are all scanned and the originals either returned or recycled. I can't think of one good reason for .... .... ..... but it is a rule.
.......spending any money or effort on archival quality media or ink.......
Still, its a rule. So I'd comply, but without any enthusiasm.
Inkjet on polyester film for inkjet plotters works really well.
Half the time the people enforcing the rules have no idea what or why they are enforcing it. A couple of years ago I had a local planning board hold on approving a lot line adjustment plan because I did not show a bench mark. I asked them why the plan needed one and the answer I got was because it was in their regs that were set up years before by previous board members. Asked them what datum and no answer on that either. I estimated an existing corner pin to the nearest 20' usgs interval and made a note depicting the accuracy and they approved it. I could have gone through the effort of running an elevation from a know point (miles away) and charged the client accordingly however I met the board's rediculous request and it did not cost my client extra.
Scott
> I'm not talking about violating survey standards, I'm talking about unreasonable requirements from planning boards (for subdivision approval) or unreasonable engineering plan requirements (for septic or other engineering plans that require local or state review).
I was not talking about survey standards.
Example: Similar to OP, a platted subdivision must be on a wash-off mylar. It is
getting almost impossible to buy the stuff. But the state will accept NOTHING else.
Example: Client wants 10x20 foot addition to a commercial pole building. Has to pay me to design a storm water retention area to hold back-to-back 100 year storms. This property is 40-50 feet above a river and about a mile from Lake Michigan. This place is NEVER going to flood. Plus done of the neighboring properties have any retention. Then the Drain Commissioner had me go back for an "as-built". Had to sign off on it. Just because it is the rule.
Example: Tomorrow I am shooting topo at an old commercial building because the new owner wants a building permit to remodel INSIDE. They want a site plan showing all the buildings on the property and grades. Because it was a auto parts shop and now is going to be a well drillers shop/office. "Change of use" is the RULE the building department is using to hold up his building permit. I can understand needing building plans, but this is stupid.
The government officials here have nothing better to do than waste peoples money. (Hope that's not to political 😉 )
If it's the MOA, I suggest you do it exactly as they require, and find a way to absorb or pass the not-inconsiderable costs.
"The rules of TopGun are not flexible."
We follow the rules as best we can. We primarily work in 5 counties but if a client takes us somewhere outside of those we go and we have a hard time keeping up with all the constant changes. We usually call the reviewing authorities but sometimes we miss something simple. We have one county that requires 17x21 mylars for their hanging files. They scan the drawings so I don't know why they need mylar but what the hell. One county will only except 11x17s at no less than 200 scale. Subdivisions are a nightmare but the Recorder doesn't want to buy a a large format printer and the 11x17s fit in the abstractors books better. No two agency's are the same and don't tell them what someone else is doing better because it just falls on deaf ears.
Just do what they ask for, it'll get things through quicker and easier for your client. Like I tell the reviewers, "don't care if you want it drawn in crayon, just tell me what you want."
Sometimes it is impossible to do so. State statute requires a blank 1" border on ROSs. County rules require the ROS number and geolocation information be placed in the border. So every filed ROS in that County does not conform to State statute.
