It should not matter whether or not the subdivision is approved
I strongly disagree.?ÿ A PLS is expected to understand the ins and outs of the local governing bodies.?ÿ Facts and evidence are the foundation of our work but are worthless if they can't be effectively conveyed.?ÿ
Advocate (Merriam-Webster) one who pleads the cause of another; one who defends or maintains a cause or proposal
I can??t think of a better word to describe one of the most nuanced roles a surveyor has to his client in regards to communicating the results of a survey to governing bodies (not advocating a boundary location) .?ÿ Not all surveyors can or should represent their clients in front a Planning Board or Board of Adjustment.?ÿ I worked for a great surveyor who was incapable of dealing with the often whimsical questions and decisions encountered during the approval process.?ÿ If a client needed even the most basic of variances, he??d send our draftswoman who knew most of the members of BOA.
In municipalities with complicated UDOs, a PLSs ability to navigate his client through regulations can be as important as the underlying survey.?ÿ
Knowledge is one thing.?ÿ Promoting/advocating is a completely different issue.
Create what agrees with the known requirements.?ÿ If needed, answer questions to show that your work is in agreement with their known requirements.?ÿ That is not advocating.?ÿ That is merely conforming.?ÿ Advocating starts when you attempt to alter those known requirements to the advantage of your client and then attempt to sway the thinking of those involved in the approval process.?ÿ Quite frequently those doing the approval will attempt to introduce new requirements.?ÿ Pointing that is out is not advocating.?ÿ It is simply bringing it to the attention of all that you must work with documented requirements only, not the wishful thinking of some who don't have the immediate authority to enforce that wishful thinking.
So, you have a guy who loves curvy streets and an approver who loves straight streets.?ÿ So long as the existing policies allow for both kinds all you are doing is citing the policy.?ÿ You are not advocating.
If the subdivision is denied or changes must be made to get it approved, that is no different that some judge ruling in a way you don't like.?ÿ Don't get all worked up about it.?ÿ Do the technical functions that surveyors are licensed to do.?ÿ Stay out of politics as much as humanly possible.
With respect to boundary surveys, Land Surveyors determine the location of the objective boundary as determined from public record, other written record, and physical evidence, surveyor monuments in particular.?ÿ If any objective uncertainty arises the Land Surveyor may use judgment to make a determination or may find that the property owners need to take action to effect a remedy.
Although nothing in Law stops a Land Surveyor from determining a boundary at a subjective location (the most common example is where the property owners have agreed to a fence although it doesn't fit the Deed descriptions) it is best to leave that to the property owners to resolve or a Judge if they are insane.