Because 75% of everything required on the maps is covered under engineering, not surveying.
We just did a two lot subdivision in Westchester County NY for a mid sized commercial project. It's basically a full copy of the site plan from the engineer with my boundary line drawn over it. The map has so much stuff on it, it's barely readable. The boundary subdivision is really the least noticeable thing on the map. We have six easements and two lots ourselves and they wanted all existing conditions (gray in background) and all proposed improvements, there are 7 tables on the map from the site and traffic engineers, there are more engineering notes than my survey notes (I have 34 notes on this map). Every proposed water valve had to be shown in the water easement, every manhole, every drain, retaining walls well inside the site, traffic study data, etc. There are two engineers signatures on the map (Traffic & Site) and mine. This is all per the Town Planning Board, Town Engineer, Building Department Review, NYC Watershed Review, Legal Review, and Health Dept. Review. I went to a couple of approval meetings and there was not a single question for me, all for the engineer.
This two lot subdivision has taken over three years to go through he approvals and has cost the client over 100k. I got my fair share of that but really this is an engineering drawing with my lines over it...thats all. I get all of that on the site plan but not on the subdivision plat.
Without the surveyor, at least in PA, there can be no subdivision. With respect to engineers, we've become the equivalent of a notary public. I completely understand your gripe, though. Why, when I submit my plan, is it reviewed by the municipal engineer? Unless that engineer has a PLS, he has no reason to review my work. Next time, perhaps the engineers can overlay all the non-existent items on YOUR map. (pipe dreams I guess)
I still need to sign it but so do they. I have no gripe with the engineer, they are just as annoyed by the process as I am but still...it's 75% an engineering drawing.
Is it an option to have more sheets in the drawing? Put the boundary and easements with everything the land surveyor wants on a sheet. Then have a sheet with only the basic outline of the lots and easements, no monument details or bearings, and give full details of the water distribution, and likewise other special interests, etc?
I could see where that would be required for site plan review but the final plat should just be the property lines, etc. It's a PITA getting things approved in Rhode Island but at least the final plans are legible, I don't think I'd even sign a plan that the property lines aren't the major part of a plan, well, possibly if I could mute the other information so much that IT was illegible, besides the fact that engineers have no reason to be signing subdivision plan.
:good:
My suggestion as well. Have the sloppy big sheet with all kinds of notes and changes, but also have another page that has the good boundary detail. It's the "subdivision boundary detail sheet" or something like that.
Agreed
I get a little riled at the subdivision process myself. The number of notes and do-dads on a map tend to push the focus away from our product. You're obviously not talking about a regular old minor subdivision here.
We tried but the answer was no...it all had to be shown on one map. There is an entire 30 sheet set from the engineer but that is not included in this.
Agreed
The crazy thing is that it actually was pretty simple...two lots and an adjustment to a third line.
I think that because it was part of larger engineering project (new firehouse) they wanted to see everything.
Tom
I don't do subdivision work because I don't work for a private firm that does.
They are ramping up right now, lots of work for a few years then it will all evaporate one day. Subdivision work is too volatile for me.
>e. The boundary subdivision is really the least noticeable thing on the map..
Just bump up the lineweights on the boundary a couple notches.
Why I don't do much survey work anymore....
I've backed away from any type of work that involves a gov't review process....
It turns into a cluster.....
