Is it too much?

I'd say adding contours in this case is good - it adds life to the plat - however without contour labels or elevation shading it's a bit tricky to read the shape of the land, other than by reference to the key plans at the top left and right. Also - I can't read the fine print - but maybe a reference to the source of the contours is warranted.

I have the major contours labeled, but not the minors. It's hard to see on the small pic I posted.

John Giles, post: 423712, member: 57 wrote: readability to somebody that doesn't look at topo's all the time.

I cannot speak for those folks, but personally I think in your locale it is probably very helpful at a glance to be able to view a certain boundary line relative to physical realities such as ravines, etc.

Good one.

That sure is a lot of vicinity maps, but being a WV native I get it.

I think it has it's place. But, I think too that you have to see, and meet the needs of any particular client. It's a check off item. Not everybody needs them, but some do need them.
N

Depends on the client. I can hear some of mine exclaiming: How much extra did it cost me to get all those squiggles on there? I don't understand why you had to draw anything in the first place. All I needed was a perscription for a deed.

John Giles, post: 423712, member: 57 wrote: I've recently started overlaying contour lines on my larger survey plats. I wonder though if it's too much for the client.

I just wonder if it takes away from the plat readability to somebody that doesn't look at topo's all the time.

Here's and example.

It may look pretty but it also opens up the door to liability. If somebody uses that information for anything any purpose you could be in big trouble if it isn't accurate. The chances of it being accurate are fairly slim as the location of them is scaled onto your plan. Also keep in mind that is this is a USGS Quad Sheet it is likely scanned from a paper copy that could have stretched over the years from reproduction.
I would limit my plan illustration to the boundary information only if that is all that you were contracted to do. If you are going to show the topo it would be in your best interest to add several CYA noted indicating the source of the information, it's published accuracy and make it clear that the information is for illustrative purposes only and is not to be used for any design or permitting purposes.

The process is pretty quick. I overlay all my jobs on topos to do them anyway. I download google earth data with plexearth and convert it to contour lines.

The old way I would trace out knobs and drains on the plat. This way I can take that step out and just let the contours tell the tale.

I use the new digital topo's available on usgs website. So there are no worries about stretching issues.
An example of the old way.

I also note that the only elevation info from the Quad that falls within the parcel bounds is exactly under your Lot Data. If you show it, do not then obscure it.

Around here, if you want topographic information on a map, no matter what source the cost is an extra, and the source is clearly cited.

Is that little tail to the West a part of your lot, because it is not shown on the Quad location map?

While the detailed summary of streams is interesting the Title Block, does not include a proper address, Parcel Identifier, Street Number, Municipal District, County and State.

Paul in PA

The old way is easier to look at. Windows overlayed on the plat are distracting IMO.

Is caution warranted in such an approach? I could see another party coming in and basing elevations off of "contour... as it passes through the RC.... shown on JG plat..." but I am pretty well unfamiliar with how things are done out in the great wide world.

the tail to the west is an adjoining lot.

Here is a blow up of my title block.

The plat is designed to be folded with the far right sections being the covers.

l like it.
In the 80s I was deep into subdivision planning and spent many an hour transferring USGS topo onto drawings for displays and project samples to show clients multiple possibilities before we started a survey.
Most every developer begins with a target group to sell to and anything that will reduce the time and cost to prepare planning documents will bring clients.

I doubt that Title Block would pass muster in Pa or NJ. I sill do no see a reference to the actual lot number or address.

Paul in PA

Why would you put a street address on the plat? They change all the time. I've never heard of putting a street number on a plat. I'm in WV. How could you possibly need more information to find where the property is located?

Many mortgage companies loans require street address of the property.
Most Federal based loans require them, FHA for example.

John Giles, post: 423756, member: 57 wrote: Why would you put a street address on the plat? They change all the time. I've never heard of putting a street number on a plat. I'm in WV. How could you possibly need more information to find where the property is located?

I work in about a half dozen States right now. It has reinforced the fact that dynamic information does not belong on recorded maps without clearly stating so. It also gives me ideas i never would have considered if I hedn't left my own back yard.
I would probably limit the contours to just the index to avoid implied precision or accuracy, but i agree there is value in showing them. Don't forget to get paid for the added value and keep thinking outside the box...

Here are the requirements for WV. Street address is not on the list. Also I looked up PA and a street address is not required.
It does say "the ownership or address of the property" I clearly covered ownership with name of owner, tax map, parcel number.

(1) A north arrow and the meridian used as the basis of
directions (bearings);
(2) The outlined area of the property and all significant parts,
including streets, alleys and nonlotted areas of a
subdivision;
(3) The name and location of any significant creeks, rivers or
roads within the scope of the survey;
(4) The measured length and direction of each straight
boundary line by distance, bearing and quadrant;
(5) Reference or tie lines by direction and distance to
significant monuments and objects;
(6) The description of all corners or reference monuments,
including whether the monuments were found or set;
(7) The evidence of any possession and claim areas and
potential encroachments, including any overlaps or gaps,
compared to the location of the record boundary line;
(8) The tax map and parcel number, if available, of all the
tracts or parcels shown on the plat;
(9) The names of the current or past owners of the subject
property, or both, and the adjoining landowners;
(10) The current conveyance references for the subject
property and the adjoining landowners;
(11) The area, acreage or square footage, of the property;
(12) The title of the plat for reference when recording;
(13) General location information including the municipality,
district, county, state, watershed and other information
that will aid in locating the subject property;
(14) A written or graphical scale, or both;
(15) The date of the survey;
(16) The name, address, license number, signature and seal of
the surveyor in professional charge.

A Harris, post: 423759, member: 81 wrote: Many mortgage companies loans require street address of the property.
Most Federal based loans require them, FHA for example.

Yes they do, but that does not mean they have to be on the plat.

Hijack:
I was interested to note the location near 8 Mile Creek, as in the 1830's my g-g-g-g-grandfather Truman Hart raised a family on 13-Mile, probably along Arbuckle-Tribble road. I've learned a brother of my g-g-g-grandfather is buried in a little cemetery on top of a hill north a road (35/10 ?) that intersects Arbuckle-Tribble.

When we drove through the Leon and 13-mile area a few years go I wasn't fully prepared to find specific locations and had a scheduled destination to reach that evening, but was very interested to see the area. I was just curious if you've worked in that particular neighborhood, as it is close to the second plat you posted.

Most of the family moved on in the later 1830's and several of the family then ended up in southern Iowa and northern Missouri. They probably left because their title fell on the wrong layer of one of those overlapping large land grant situations, Thomas O. Taylor being owner of the other grant, with Henry Middleton agent. I have copies of a couple court documents where they fought this, and those documents are in the most difficult handwriting I've ever tried to read. Do those names ever come up in your research, or is that too ancient?